Spyke
sh.itjust.works

This is why some places like Michigan State University and Ohio State University use "desire path planning". That's where they observe where people walk and then install (or move) the sidewalks to match those footpaths.

33
discuss.tchncs.de

Not necessarily good though since it further seals the ground. There's nothing wrong with leaving desire paths untouched.

9
chickenreply
lemmy.dbzer0.com

The problem is they would either have to police people from using them, or let grassy areas become bisected by muddy ditches

16
discuss.tchncs.de

Is there an issue with muddy bisections? It might not look the most appealing but it's better than pavement.

To prevent the paths from getting ever wider you could, for example, plant flowers next to them. That's a pretty effective and unobtrusive way.

1
Revan343reply
lemmy.ca

Mud is messy; muddy trails also aren't the most wheelchair-friendly

15
discuss.tchncs.de

Mud is messy

It depends. Some people view lawns that aren't devoid of all insect life messy or trimmed evenly messy. And if it is raining or has recently rained, hardly anyone would use a muddy path so the concrete sidewalk will remain reasonably clean as well.

wheelchair-accessible

That's important, though I'm not advocating for keeping an entire campus unpaved. I am arguing that only necessary pathways should be paved while desire paths should ideally remain unpaved. People in wheelchairs should still get around (quickly), but desire paths don't need to be wheelchair accessible in my opinion.

0
piecatreply
lemmy.world

A dirt path, fine and great. Sounds nice for summertime.

Lot of schools aren't in a warm climate.

Those paths become unusable in winter, a muddy (unusable) slop when it rains or when the snow melts.

Muddy paths lead to wet socks and dirty shoes at best, and at worst, you slip and get covered.

4

Yes, based on college conversations with groundskeepers, students tend to blaze their own trails to create the shortest routes. Besides injuries when they slip and fall in the mud, it also gets tracked into buildings, making those floors slippery as well. Paving popular paths is a way of accommodating human behavior.

3

I don't think there's an issue with desire paths becoming unusable during certain times though. It slightly extends the time you spend walking around but I'd prefer this over having unnecessary pavement.

You might as well pave the entire green space in this example.

1

I like how your reply got more upvotes than BambiDiego’s. It’s like we got to watch the skit play out in real life!

1

thanks. I just thought the reference to the sub was too good to pass. (r/yourjokewbutworse except it isn't worse it's just the same joke... whatever you can't land em all)

1

I vaguely remember seeing this exact joke in my geometry book in gradeschool. Probably different illustrator, but still.

Damn, I feel old now.

5
lemmy.world

Wow, earlier today I read it as "Why can't this be normal" as in why are people regimented to stay on sidewalks instead of strolling across the grass? It reminded me of a guy I worked with in one of my first jobs, who was told by another coworker that you shouldn't walk on the grass, and he replied, "Yeah you should, because if you weren't supposed to it wouldn't feel so soft and cushy and good on your feet." I liked that guy's attitude.

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Lka1988reply
lemmy.dbzer0.com

If I remember right, there's a school that took the worn paths in the grass and just turned those into official walkways.

2
lemmy.world

I hate when people do that. Just stay on the sidewalk, you're going to wear a path down in the grass.

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Rokinreply
lemm.ee

Those are desire paths. I love them.

4

I hate them. It's not a real walkway, it's just people making their own and ruining the grass.

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Why can't he just be normal? | Spyke