KOCHI: In a city where pedestrians are often treated as a hurdle to the smooth flow of traffic, it is no wonder that footpaths are either totally missing beside roads or are in too bad a shape to serve their purpose.
Realising this, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) now plans to improve non-motorised transport (NMT) facilities in the city, a reflection of which could be found in the master plan drawn up for promoting NMT along the metro corridor.
The master plan proposes that depending on the volume of pedestrians, the project area should have footpaths with a minimum width of 1.80 metres and a maximum height of 150 mm from the finished road surface. But in places where the available road width makes it difficult to provide 1.80-metre barrier-free space for footpaths, the width can be reduced to a minimum of 1.20 metres.
However, the master plan insists that the maximum height of 150 mm cannot be compromised in any circumstance as any further increase in height will make footpaths unusable, thus defeating their very purpose.
Similarly, cycle tracks for one-way movement have been proposed depending on the volume of cyclists and road width. The project area requires cycle tracks with a minimum width of 1.80 metres, and where that is not possible, the width may be brought down to a minimum of 1.20 metres. It is further recommended that all cycle tracks in the city shall be coloured in a contrasting tone for better visibility.
Traffic calming measures have also been proposed in places with heavy mixed traffic movements. Based on permissible speeds, traffic calming measures such as rumble strips and surface treatments have been proposed. In the case of signal-free intersections and pedestrian crossing locations, traffic calming measures up to a minimum of 25 metres before the crossing have been proposed.
The master plan also recommends medians with a minimum width of 0.50 metres on streets with a width of 24 metres or more. Besides, pedestrian refuge islands have been proposed with a minimum width of 1.2 metres.
Along the metro corridor, 2.40 metre-wide median refuge islands have been proposed. Bollards shall be used to define refuge islands and stop motorists from encroaching into the space demarcated for pedestrians.
The master plan proposes multi-utility zone-width to accommodate ancillary street activities depending on the availability of space. The multi-utility zone will ensure that public utilities and street furniture do not obstruct the clear movement of pedestrians and cyclists.
Similarly, the master plan proposes 4 metre-wide zebra crossings, and in places of intersections with pedestrian refuge, the zebra crossing shall connect directly to the refuge island.
