TRAILS AS TRANSPORTATION Design & Construction Michael J. Kubek, P.E. Ohio Department of Transportation, District 12 Production Administrator

Before Design  Secure funding source  Determine logical termini  Coordinate with oversight agency

 Determine Logical Termini –Best to develop a master plan

 Determine Logical Termini –Best to develop a master plan

Before Design  Determine Logical Termini –Federal requirement –Best to develop a master plan –Common termini  Connection to an existing trail  Park facility  Designated bike route

–Common termini  Designated bike route

–Common termini  Designated bike route

–Common termini  Designated bike route

Before Design  Remember: Rails to Trails are not always a slam dunk. Consider the following: –Typical section –Drainage issues –Environmental issues –Right of Way –Utilities

TRAILS AS TRANSPORTATION Design

Design References  AASHTO “Guidelines for the Development of Bicycle Facilities,” (1999 or latest edition)

Design References

 FHWA Publication No. FHWA-EP , “Best Practices Design Guide Part 2, Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access,” (2001)

Design References  AASHTO “Guidelines for the Development of Bicycle Facilities,” (1999 or latest edition)  FHWA Publication No. FHWA-EP , “Best Practices Design Guide Part 2, Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access,” (2001)  OMUTCD “Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (2005 or latest edition, Chapter 9)  Additional References –ODOT Office of Local Projects web site  –ODOT District 12 LPA website, Phase II Design  spx spx spx –Local MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization)

Types of Bicycle Facilities  Bike Lane  Shared Use Path (aka Bike Path) –A facility shared by recreational users (i.e. pedestrians, joggers, bicyclists, etc.) separated from roadway traffic.  The design standards used for the bicycle facility shall be determined by the use of the facility.

TRAILS AS TRANSPORTATION Shared Use Path Design

Typical Section  Width –Path Width = 10’ –Graded Shoulder = 2’ –Bridge or Tunnel Width = 14’  Cross Slope –Path Slope = 2% pref., 3% max  No crown is preferred –Graded Shoulder = 12:1 pref., 6:1 max Design Speed  20mph  30mph (advisable for profile grades > 4%)

Typical Section  Pavement Composition –Design for expected emergency, law enforcement, & maintenance vehicles –ODOT commercial drive design is recommended

Typical Section  Horizontal Clearance –Obstructions = 3’ desired, 2’ min. –Separation from Roadway = 5’ –Steep Embankment (> 3:1) = 5’  Vertical Clearance –10’ desired, 8’ min.

Typical Section

Horizontal Alignment  Max. Grade Break w/o horizontal curve –Not addressed directly in AASHTO –Use taper formula for obstructions on page 67 of the manual

Horizontal Alignment  Minimum Radius of Curvature –AASHTO Table 1, page 38  20mph = 100’  30mph = 225’

Horizontal Alignment  Minimum Lateral Clearance for Horizontal Curves –AASHTO Table 4, page 45

Horizontal Alignment  The preceding criteria establishes the threshold for safety in design. Remember to include an aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable facility.

Vertical Alignment  Max. Grade Break w/o a vertical curve –Not addressed directly in AASHTO –Use ODOT Location & Design Manual (L&D) Figure  20mph = 2.9%  30mph = 1.30%  Minimum length of vertical curve –Establish Stopping Sight Distance (SSD) for crest curve

Vertical Alignment  Minimum length of vertical curve –Based on Stopping Sight Distance (SSD) for crest curve –AASHTO manual states 3 feet –ODOT District 12 recommends  3 * Design Speed (pref.)  2 * Design Speed (min.)

Vertical Alignment  Maximum length of steep profile grades –AASHTO page 70

Vertical Alignment  Maximum length of steep profile grades –FHWA page 16-5

Vertical Alignment  Maximum length of steep profile grades 5% < Grade ≤ 6%up to 800ft 6% < Grade ≤ 7%up to 400ft 7% < Grade ≤ 8%up to 300ft 8% < Grade ≤ 8.33%up to 200ft * 8.33% < Grade ≤ 10%up to 30ft * 10% < Grade ≤ 12.5%up to 10ft *

Vertical Alignment  Maximum length of steep profile grades –Exception: when the path is adjacent to a roadway, it can follow the roadway profile.

Vertical Alignment

ADA Compliance  ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)  Curb Ramps –Provide truncated domes

ADA Compliance  Accessibility –The trail (shared use path) is considered a “Facility.” –Access to the facility is subject to the ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines)

ADA Compliance

Drainage  Use Bicycle safe grates (4” max. grid spacing)  Provide ditch on uphill side of the path  Culvert design per ODOT Location & Design Manual Volume 2, Section  Ditch flow depth per L&D section (District 12) –9” below edge of path, pref. –0” below edge of path, min.  Do not put the safety of the users at risk!

Vehicular Crossings  Pave drives for at least 10’ on each side of the path

Vehicular Crossings  Signing and striping per AASHTO manual and the OMUTCD (Chapter 9 for bicycles)

Vehicular Crossings  Signing and striping per AASHTO manual and the OMUTCD (Chapter 9 for bicycles)

Vehicular Crossings  Slow down users with geometrics & provide SSD at intersection

Vehicular Crossings  Slow down users with geometrics & provide SSD at intersection

Design Exceptions  Prepare in accordance with ODOT L&D, Volume 1, section 105  Submit with letter of concurrence from the Local Public Agency (owner & maintaining agency)  Design standards that are “advisable” or “recommended” generally do not require a design exception

Design Exceptions

Other Design Considerations  Account for clean up in the bid, especially on urban trails  Design bridges for emergency and maintenance vehicle loading  Construction –Construction equipment loading  Soils investigation –Staging areas  Utilities in Railroad Corridors –Petroleum lines –Fiber Optic

Design Summary  Planning –Secure Funding –Master Plan –Logical Termini  Design –Use Common Sense –Always keep the safety of the user as your number one priority –Design as if your family will be using the facility