The purpose of the Pedestrian Safety and Work Zone Standards is to provide guidance and standards to District Department of Transportation (DDOT) employees who are reviewing the construction of protected walkways on the sidewalks and roadways of the District of Columbia. The standard is also part of a required traffic control plan that provides guidance on the preferred methods for routing pedestrians safely through work zones occupying public space in the District. 

DDOT is responsible for regulating the temporary occupancy of public space during construction on both private property and public space. As part of the responsibility, DDOT reviews and approves traffic control plans governing the safe routing of pedestrians and vehicles around the work zone in public space.