Equestrian Bridges and Underpasses

Areas with well-developed networks of equestrian routes attract riders, contributing to tourism development and boosting the economy. As the most critical elements of equestrian routes are road, railway, and watercourse crossings, the construction of bridges and underpasses that meet equestrian needs is crucial. Due to the lack of clear, standardised guidance for the design of equestrian bridges and underpasses, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify and select manuals deal with equestrian bridge and/or underpass design. The selection criterion required that the manual be currently valid, written in English, and published online with open access, ensuring easy accessibility for engineers and policymakers. This paper summarises, compares, and comments on the design parameters of equestrian bridges and underpasses listed in the analysed manuals, which must be considered to achieve optimal solutions for both horse and rider. It also provides an overview of general recommendations and best practices for specific design parameters. In the absence of a manual offering comprehensive, standardised guidelines for the design of equestrian bridges and underpasses, this paper may assist policymakers, developers, and designers in creating a trail network suitable for equestrians.