Staircases Methodology

What Qualifies as a Staircase

Minimum Step Count

• 3 or more steps = Staircase (eligible for documentation)
• 2 or fewer steps = Just steps (not documented as a staircase)

Material, Coverage, and Features

• Material does not matter (concrete, wood, metal, stone, etc.)
• Covered or uncovered does not matter
• Handrails are not required
• Accessibility features do not affect qualification

Public Access

Staircases should be publicly accessible, though qualification may be influenced by public information or strong crowdsourced evidence of community use.

Counting Steps

Basic Counting Approach

• Count from the lowest point - Steps are counted from the bottom up
• All steps count equally - Regardless of individual step height
• Single and double steps - Are included in the step count when they are in the middle of the staircase

Entry Points and Starting Points

Generally, staircases are counted from the lowest point (the bottom). However, there are exceptions:

• Out-and-back staircases - Can have entry points at both the top and bottom. Example: a cliff walkway where you start from the top, descend to a landing, and climb back up. This configuration can create two separate staircases - one starting from the top, one starting from the bottom.
• Regular staircases with multiple entry points - If a staircase has entry points at both the top and bottom, counting can only start from the bottom.

What NOT to Count

• Curbs - Curb steps at street crossings are not stairs
• Sidewalk bars/traction aids - If the area between steps is intended to be walked on (not just the steps), it doesn't count as steps
• Walking sections - If there's a flat section in a marked staircase with sidewalk bars, those bars don't count as steps

Handling Up and Down Sections

Counting Down Steps

Down steps that are part of the staircase journey ARE included in the count.

Multiple Entry Points

If down steps come AFTER the highest point AND there are multiple entrance/start/entry points, those down steps may not count depending on the configuration.

Streets and Interruptions

Default Behavior

Staircases divided by streets are by default counted as separate staircases.

Exceptions

Staircases can be joined as interconnected staircases when:

• They are publicly marked as continuous
• There is clear signage or public information indicating they are one system
• Community documentation supports treating them as connected

Complex Staircase Systems

When staircases have multiple paths, interconnections, or entry points:

Documentation Approach

• Each entrance point and interconnection can be its own staircase entry
• Each unique combination of interconnecting segments can be considered a staircase
• Flexible naming - The naming of interconnected segments can be flexible

Challenge Counting

For challenges and unique staircase counts: Only individual segments count toward unique staircase totals, not the combined staircases.

Safety and Challenge Inclusion

Safety does not determine whether something is a staircase - Unsafe or deteriorated stairs are still stairs.

However, safety concerns may affect whether a staircase is included in fitness challenges or recommended routes.

Documentation Philosophy