This document provides guidance to local authorities on the provision of pedestrian guard rails at the edge of urban footways in the UK. It includes a description of the development of policy guidance on guardrailing; an assessment procedure for the evaluation of the need for installation or removal of railings; and encouragement for authorities to use an audit trail to record decisions and actions taken. Assessment may include developing simulation models, for instance to determine likely traffic flows. Guardrailing can be used at road junctions, pedestrian crossings, busy pedestrian streets, transport interchanges, schools, and central reservations. Its main purpose is to improve safety both by preventing pedestrians from being on the road at an inappropriate place and by protecting pedestrians from the swept path of large vehicles. This local transport note stems from a research study, which is summarised; the assessment procedure is detailed in two parts, site record and assessment framework.
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