Durable Pavements
The pavement quality of pedestrian paths plays a crucial role in ensuring safe, comfortable, and inclusive movement. Pavements must be stable, durable, and well-maintained to prevent hazards such as uneven surfaces, which can hinder mobility for people with disabilities or pushchairs. Additionally, materials should be selected to reduce heat absorption, improving thermal comfort for all users — including pets and service animals who are in direct contact with the ground.
- Ensure proper compaction of pavements (greater than 90%) to avoid instability and surface deformation.
- Use materials that minimize heat absorption and surface overheating to improve thermal comfort for pedestrians and protect animals from burns.
- Ensure pavements are stable and support safe pedestrian traffic without risk of sinking, cracking, or water stagnation.
- Meet standards for outdoor durability and slip resistance, especially in areas exposed to weather and heavy foot traffic.
- Ensure continuous surfaces with no height differences greater than 4 mm between adjoining pavement sections.
- Maintain clear textural contrasts to differentiate tactile paving from surrounding surfaces, avoiding confusion for visually impaired users.
- Ensure material and design compatibility with adjacent pavements, maintaining visual and physical continuity across the network.