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Pedestrian underpassWorldwide

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78. Pedestrian underpass

A pedestrian underpass is a passage that allows pedestrians to travel beneath a road, railway or other obstacle without crossing the traffic route at the same level. It is a form of grade-separated pedestrian crossing.

Pedestrian underpasses may be reached by stairs, ramps or lifts and can form part of a wider footpath or pedestrian network. Cyclists and other users may use the underpass only when the design, signs and local regulations permit them to do so.

Pedestrian underpass. (Calella, Spain)
Wikimedia.org • Enric • CC BY-SA
What is a pedestrian underpass?

A pedestrian underpass is a passage that allows pedestrians to cross beneath a road, railway or other obstacle without entering the traffic route above.

Why are pedestrian underpasses used?

They separate pedestrians from motor vehicles, trains or other traffic, reducing direct conflicts at busy or high-speed crossings.

Is a pedestrian underpass the same as a tunnel?

Not exactly. A pedestrian underpass is specifically intended to allow pedestrians to pass beneath an obstacle, while a tunnel can carry roads, railways, pedestrians or other forms of transport.

Is an underpass the same as a pedestrian overpass?

No. An underpass passes beneath the obstacle, while an overpass or footbridge carries pedestrians above it. Both provide grade-separated crossings.

Can cyclists use a pedestrian underpass?

This depends on the signs and design of the facility. Some underpasses are shared with cyclists, while pedestrian-only underpasses may require cyclists to dismount.

Can a pedestrian underpass have a cycle path?

Yes. Some underpasses contain separate or shared pedestrian and cycle facilities so both categories can cross safely away from motor traffic.

Can motor vehicles use a pedestrian underpass?

No when the passage is specifically reserved for pedestrians. Maintenance or emergency access may be permitted in exceptional circumstances.

Can an underpass be accessible to wheelchairs?

Yes, when suitably designed. Ramps or lifts can provide step-free access, although accessibility depends on the individual facility.

Do pedestrians have to follow signs inside an underpass?

Yes. Users must follow any signs indicating permitted users, direction of travel, separated sections or temporary closures.

Can a pedestrian underpass be temporarily closed?

Yes. Maintenance, flooding, construction, safety concerns or other circumstances may require temporary closure or diversion.

Does an underpass give pedestrians priority over traffic above?

The underpass physically separates the movements, so pedestrians do not directly cross the traffic route above. Priority rules still apply wherever the pedestrian route later crosses another roadway or cycle facility.

What should cyclists do in a pedestrian-only underpass?

Where cycling is not permitted, cyclists should dismount and continue on foot if pedestrian access with a bicycle is allowed.

1 Worldwide 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Built-up area 6 Zone 7 Speed limit 8 Minimum speed 9 Advisory speed 10 Footpath 11 Bike path 12 Shared-use path 13 Separated path 14 Pedestrian warning 15 Tunnel 16 Bridge 17 Cycling street 18 Pedestrian zone 19 Speed bump 20 Toll road 21 Customs 22 One-way traffic 23 Quay 24 Slope 25 Bus lane 26 Bus stop 27 Dead end 28 Stop sign 29 Give way 30 Roundabout 31 Priority road 32 Road narrowing 33 Priority over oncoming traffic 34 Give way to oncoming traffic 35 Pedestrian crossing 36 Railway crossing 37 Mandatory direction 38 Turn prohibition 39 School area 40 Overtaking 41 Crossing animals 42 Slippery road 43 Rockfall 44 Aircraft 45 Curve 46 Chevron 47 Wrong-way driving 48 Roadworks 49 Crosswind 50 Height limit 51 Width limit 52 Length limit 53 Weight limit 54 Radar speed sign 55 Selective barriers 56 Low-emission zone 57 Intersection direction sign 58 Priority at the next junction 59 Traffic lights 60 Traffic lights warning 61 Pedestrian lights 62 Road markings 63 All-way stop 64 Junction layout 65 Climbing lane 66 Bike box 67 Left-hand traffic 68 Speed feedback 69 Driving licence 70 Location marker 71 Road number 72 Countdown markers 73 Public toilet 74 Rest area 75 Traffic mirror 76 Emergency telephone 77 International border 78 Pedestrian underpass 79 Cycling route 80 End of restriction 81 Parking 82 No parking 83 No stopping 84 Parallel parking 85 Park and ride 86 Kiss and ride 87 Alternate-side parking 88 Parking meter 89 Parking disc 90 Disabled parking 91 Traffic management 92 Merging 93 Reversing 94 U-turn 95 Carpool 96 Traffic jam 97 Detour 98 Uncontrolled crossroad 99 Road surface 100 Advisory cycle lane ...