A footpath is a strip of concrete, asphalt, pavers, bitumen seal or crushed rock laid between the back of kerb and the property boundary (or elsewhere) for use as a path by pedestrians.
More Footpath Photos
Glossary of Austroads Terms
The Glossary of Austroads Terms defines a footpath as a "public way reserved for the movement of pedestrians and of manually propelled vehicles."
Australian Road Rules
The Australian Road Rules define a footpath as "an area open to the public that is designated for, or has as one of its main uses, use by pedestrians."
Useful Life
The useful life of a footpath will depend on a number of factors including soil conditions, the material it is made from, its thickness, and the proximity of trees. A life of 40-50 years is typical for concrete footpaths in some areas.
Types of Footpaths
The majority of footpaths are typically constructed from either; asphalt, concrete, pavers or gravel. In the case of concrete footpaths additives may be added to colour the footpath or even make it glow in the dark.
Footpath Design
Part 6A of the Austroads Guide to Road Design provides guidance for road designers and other practitioners on the design of paths for safe and efficient walking and cycling.
Related Pages
- Asphalt Footpath
- Boardwalk
- Brick Paved Footpath
- Concrete Footpath
- Footpath Condition Inspection Sheet
- Footpath Construction
- Footpath Grinding
- Footpath Hierarchy
- Footpath Lip
- Footpath Maintenance
- Footpath Trading
- Footway
- Gravel Footpath
- Nature Strip
- Off Road Footpath
- Path
- Pathway
- Photos of Footpaths
- Pram Crossing
- Road
- Separated Footpath
- Shared Footway
- Vertical Footpath Joint Displacement
- Walking Track
Contributors
The following site members have contributed to this page:
External Links & References
- NAMS.AU Practice Notes - the page includes a link to the preamble of Practice Note 1: Footpaths & Cycleways.
- Wikipedia
- Temora Shire Council Footpath Maintenance and Construction Policy
- Muswellbrook Footpaths Risk Control
- Infrastructure Design / Network Planning (Austroads).
- Guidelines for Construction of Concrete Footpath Slabs
- Canterbury City Council Footpath Condition & Maintenance Policy
- Ashfield Council Footpath Repair and Maintenance Policy
- Rubbersidewalks
- Concrete Path Guidelines
- Asset Mates Share Path Signage Discussion
- Google Search
- Australia's First Glow in the Dark Footpath
- Parsons v Randwick Municipal Council (2003)
- Port Macquarie Hastings Council v Mooney (2014)
- Footpath Icons (The Noun Project)
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