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	Safety First and foremost, a transportation facility must be safe. This update includes recommendations and guidelines directed toward making all pedestrian facilities safe for users of all abilities. These minimum levels of safety that should be met in all circumstances include: providing a defined walkway for exclusive pedestrian use that is a minimum 6-feet wide; a walkable surface that is clear of impediments; has ramps where needed; is physically or horizontally separated from vehicular traffic; and is lit at roadway crossings. There are several elements of design, in particular ramps, driveway crossings, and median crossings that, if the project is new, should be built to the standards of the comfortable level to meet ADAAG. Comfortable After safety, there are design options and amenities that can make a pedestrian area comfortable and encourage more walking. These include: wider walkways (7 to 12 feet or more); two or three options for physically or horizontally separating the walkway from traffic; reducing the number of driveway crossings; providing places to sit; or adding traffic calming features. Destination Lastly, pedestrian areas that are safe and comfortable can be made destinations unto themselves, to which people walk to and walk within. Destinations are places where walking is considered a predominant, if not the only, mode of transportation. They often have extensive amenities which include specialty paving, themed signs and site furnishings, decorative lighting fixtures, street vendors, and an active street. These guidelines additionally incorporate the principle of universal design. Universal design is a philosophy of facility design that seeks to maximize the suitability of a facility for ease of use by the greatest number of people. It emphasizes the value of designing facilities for a person’s entire lifespan and range of abilities. The seven principles of universal design are: equitable use flexible use simple and intuitive use perceptible information tolerance for error low physical effort size and space for approach and use (Accessible Environments: Toward Universal Design. Mace, Hardie & Place, 1991). Universal design recognizes that all users benefit when facilities can be easily used by people with a wide range of abilities. For example, a ramp to the entrance of a building is often used by parents pushing strollers or workers moving equipment on trolleys. These people benefit in addition to individuals with disabilities who use wheelchairs or scooters and their families, friends, and associates. Furthermore, incorporating the principles of universal design at the early stage of a project is far less expensive than having to go back and retrofit inaccessible facilities. In addition, this document is in conformance with the ADA Draft Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines.