SDOT aims to provide a pedestrian network that is well connected, including good connections across roadways. A good crossing is one at which motorists and pedestrians naturally use the facility in the way it was intended. For pedestrians, this means that the natural and most direct pedestrian route will lead them to a legal crosswalk; for motorists it means that they are able to both see and understand to stop for pedestrians. The design of a crosswalk and the environment leading to the crosswalk influence these relationships.

Location of legal crosswalks: Legal crosswalks exist at every intersection, unless otherwise signed, regardless of whether they are marked or unmarked.

• Standard construction of crosswalks: New marked crosswalks should be ladder-style crosswalks that are at least 10 feet wide and designed consistent with Standard Plan No. 712. Marked crosswalks should keep as much as possible to the natural path of travel. Ideally they will align with existing sidewalks. Refer to Section 4.8.2 Curb Ramps.
• Visibility: Marked crosswalks must have a reflective surface that is visible in hours of darkness or during poor weather conditions.
• Site distance: No obstructions to pedestrian or driver visibility should be present within 30 feet of the legal crosswalk. These include parking, trees, and bus zones.

Orientation of building entrances to crosswalks: The manner in which new developments associate with the street impacts pedestrians travel patterns. Entrances and access points to new facilities should orient as much as possible towards a legal crosswalk. This is especially true of facilities where frequent pedestrian travel across the street is expected. Entrances and access points that orient pedestrians towards a mid-block crossing can promote mid-block or illegal pedestrian crossings. This problem is difficult to remedy after construction is complete.

Variation from standard construction of crosswalks: Textured and/or colored concrete may be considered in certain crosswalk applications. The following design criteria apply:

• Area of crosswalk: At least 10 feet wide.
• Curb ramps: Two are required at either end of the crosswalk.
• Smooth surface: To reduce vibrations experienced by wheelchair users on bumpy surfaces, six feet of the crosswalk area must have a fully vibration-free texture and a limit of ¼ inch or less rise, not more than every 30 inches.
• Visibility : A thermoplastic parallel line on either side of a colored or textured crossing maintains visibility. Street lighting upgrades may be necessary.

Given the high cost of altering or relocating any crosswalk at which textured or colored concrete is used, approval for such treatments must be received from the SDOT Pedestrian Program before construction can begin.