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Railings along trails and greenways in urban areas

When is a railing needed for safety? Deciding where to put railings along trails is a very inexact science. Safety concerns impell managers and designers to specify that railings are placed where there is a drop-off along bikeways and walkways. Where there is a vertical drop of several feet, such as on a bridge, it's easy to see that a railing is a good idea. Where the trail edge slopes down more gently, there is no hard and fast rule. Moreover, the railing can be a hazard in itself. Unless the trail is very wide, people "shying away" from the rail can collide with each other. Accessibility is another point of confusion. For building access ramps, handrails are required. In the outdoor environment, there is no railing requirement in the proposed guidelines for Developed Outdoor Areas. It is typical on backcountry trails and bridges that steep dropoffs are often encountered without any protection, even along bridges.

Click on any photo to see it full size:

(Photos and commentary by Stuart Macdonald)

Railing along trail edge with rip-rap rock slope; Sparks, Nevada, Marina Park; photo by Stuart Macdonald, March 10, 2008

Steel railing on river side of concrete trail, Willamette River Trail, Eugene"

Detail of steel railing bolted to concrete trail, Willamette River Trail, Eugene, OR

Steel railing on river side of concrete trail, Willamette River Trail, Eugene, Oregon; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Aug. 30, 2008

Railing on steep bank along Wissahickon Valley trail, Philadelphia; photo by Stuart Macdonald

Concrete posts with wood railings; not a very steep bank. Wissahickon Valley trail, Philadelphia; photo by Stuart Macdonald

Hidden culvert crossings with riprap or deep ditches often receive railing treatment: oncrete posts with wood railings along Wissahickon Valley trail, Philadelphia

Austin, Texas, mountain bike trail with railings along steep slope.

Austin, Texas, mountain bike trail with railings; the slope doesn't seem steep enough to require railings, but the overhanging rock pushes users toward the edge.

Austin, Texas, mountain bike trail with railings along steep slope.

Railing along trail, while actual bank along canal is unprotected; Washington, DC, photo by Stuart Macdonald

Canal trail has no railings along most of its length; C & O Canal, Georgetown, photo by Stuart Macdonald

Railings were installed at the point where the trail curves right to the edge of the high-speed road; Harbor Drive, San Diego

Steel railings along bike/ped bridge in Austin, Texas; photo by Stuart Macdonald, July 2007

Decorative railings at Falls Bridge on Schuykill River trail, Philadelphia; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Oct. 6, 2008

Decorative railings near Falls Bridge on Schuykill River trail, Philadelphia; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Oct. 6, 2008

Wood railings along Schuykill River trail at Columbia Bridge, Philadelphia; photo by Stuart Macdonald, Oct. 6, 2008

Ramp provides accessible route to Waller Creek Trail, Austin, Texas; photo by Stuart Macdonald, July 15, 2007

Railiings on limestone blocks: accessible route to Waller Creek Trail, Austin, Texas; photo by Stuart Macdonald, July 15, 2007