Footbridge

Simple suspension bridge designs have been developed to be sustainable and easily constructed in such areas using only local materials and labor.

Bridges providing for both pedestrians and cyclists are often referred to as greenbridges and form an important part of a sustainable transport system.

Footbridges are often situated to allow pedestrians to cross water or railways in areas where there are no nearby roads.

It is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe, and one of Switzerland's main tourist attractions.

Beginning on the south side of the Palazzo Vecchio, it then joins the Uffizi Gallery and leaves on its south side, crossing the Lungarno dei Archibusieri and then following the north bank of the River Arno until it crosses the river at Ponte Vecchio.

It was built in five months by order of Duke Cosimo I de' Medici in 1565, to the design of Giorgio Vasari.

The special popularity of the bridge was gained through angular sculptures of four winged lions crowning the abutments.

However, because they are normally significantly lighter than vehicular bridges, they are more vulnerable to vibration and therefore dynamics effects are often given more attention in design.

[7] International attention has been drawn to this issue in recent years by problems on the Pont de Solférino in Paris and the Millennium Bridge in London.

Where they pass over busy roads or railways, they may also include a fence or other such barrier to prevent pedestrians from jumping, or throwing projectiles onto the traffic below.

It was originally usual for passengers to cross from one railway platform to another by stepping over the tracks, but from the mid-19th century onwards safety demanded the provision of a footbridge (or underpass) at busier places.

Narrow footbridges or walkways to allow workers access to parts of a structure otherwise difficult to reach are referred as catwalks or cat walks.

[15] Much rural travel takes place on local footpaths, tracks and village roads.

These provide essential access to water, firewood, farm plots and the classified road network.

[16] Pedestrian overpasses over highways or railroads are expensive, especially when elevators or long ramps for wheelchair users are required.