Comments on: Where the (Brick) Sidewalk Ends

By: The red brick blues

The red brick blues — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:46:16 +0000

[...] “played around by red brick” this evening attempting to stay upright. Matt Yglesias and Rob Goodspeed have previously questioned the utility of brick as a public works tool in sidewalks, and for good [...]

By: Joe Klein

Joe Klein — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:15:29 +0000

The Roman’s used Porphyry.

Quoting from http://www.milestoneimports.com/porphyry_intro_print.htm

“Porphyry has an even yet rough surface and, thanks to the difference in hardness of the minerals it contains, Porphyry Pavers do not become smooth due to wear or slippery when it rains. It is ideal for commercial and residential use due to its durability.”

By: Laurence Aurbach

Laurence Aurbach — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:26:29 +0000

This article describes various sidewalk treatments in the Arlington Courthouse area. Concrete pavers were used for a while, trying for that crafted brick look, but eventually the county opted for concrete with a marblized surface treatment. The article says "clear, sprayed on sealer adds silica grit for improved wet friction and helps ensure durability." I wonder if sidewalk bricks can be treated in the same way. Slightly off the topic of friction coefficients, cement production is responsible for a large amount of CO2 emissions and global warming. If processes like this can be successfully commercialized, we could see concrete become a CO2-sequestering material. Greencrete! I'm ready for it.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:30:48 +0000

In Washington, DC, the best sidewalks are made of concrete pebble aggregate. It has a rough surface that keeps its grip in snow and rain, and looks natural and beautiful. You’ll see it in sidewalks around the Mall, and there are patches left elsewhere in DC. Sadly the local government will replace it with dull smooth concrete when redoing roads. 16th St’s sidewalks were once pebble aggregate, leading to the amazing Meridian Hill Park, itself outfitted entirely with varieties of pebble aggregate.

By: David Holman

David Holman — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:47:30 +0000

As a cyclist I’m always cautious of wet brick, second only to cobble stones which are truly awful to ride on. I spent Nov. in Munich, Germany where virtually all of their sidewalks are asphalt and have a walking and biking lane (usually one way on each side of the road)! Yes, it seems that the old world is ahead of us. While this slightly increases the risk for walkers to get biked into, it makes biking a far safer affair, up and away from BWMs etc. Because of the excellent width of the sidewalks it seemed like handicapped folks had things a bit easier too.

By: Matthew Yglesias » Against the Brick

Matthew Yglesias » Against the Brick — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 13:31:13 +0000

[...] Rob Goodspeed left DC for the Boston area, which is inflicted by a plague of brick sidewalks, and remarks: I was in Harvard Square one evening last fall when I light rain began falling. A girl dashed out [...]

By: Greg

Greg — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 12:13:04 +0000

Brick streets are terrible. They my look nice is about it. When brick streets become wet, they are very very slick. When brick streets become snow covered or icy, they become even slicker. I’ve witnessed near accidents on brick streets. I am sure brick sidewalks are just as perilous

By: justin

justin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:40:51 +0000

I’ll admit I’m a sucker for brick sidewalks, roads, alleys, etc. They do have a couple of strengths that you didn’t mention. First, in an urban environment streets and sidewalks are continually cut into–for new gas lines or Verizon Fios or what have you. With brick, you can both reuse the surface when you are done, and you don’t end up with ugly patches over patches of asphalt. Secondly, I would guess that brick sidewalks let water seep into the ground better when it rains, helping reduce run-off.

Reusability and drainage aren’t the main point of your post. Perhaps bricks with more traction would be a good middle ground?

By: Dave Reid

Dave Reid — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:30:07 +0000

One way brick can be used to slow traffic and improve the appearance of a street without hurting pedestrians is to put it in the center of the intersection not the actually crosswalk. That way you still get a nice brick look, when cars cross it they slow down because of the rumble and people don’t trip.

By: Brady Dorman

Brady Dorman — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:49:25 +0000

Interesting topic. I never really thought about the safety factor of sidewalks, although its clear certain materials are more accessible and are more durable. This is arguable however … what defines durability? What is worse: a concrete sidewalk with numerous cracks – or a brick walk that settles unevenly? The concrete may hold up longer than the brick, but the brick can also be relayed again.

In Ames a segment of concrete sidewalk was replaced with rubber tiles because the concrete was being damaged by kegs being dropped while delivering to nearby bars >>

http://www.dorm.org/~brady/?p=55