Here’s What Those Bumps In The Sidewalk Are For
The next time you walk down a sidewalk and come to a street crossing, you may notice some strange bumps and patterns in the concrete. I always thought these were for water drainage or extra traction. I was wrong! The real reason is much more complex and fascinating.
The integration of sidewalks and roadways in a major city is a massive undertaking for engineers who must take into account all kinds of populations, and how people with varying abilities will interact with the environment. My wife is a wheelchair user and we have traveled all over the globe. I can tell you from experience that the littlest details such has a flush curb cut (where the sidewalk meets the road) and an easy transition from one surface to another can either make a city easy to get around or a hazard.
Those who don’t live with a disability, whether it be a mobility impairment or blindness, may never notice this complexity. But it’s necessary to design an infrastructure that promotes the safe transportation of all people.
