Balancing Liability Risks and Costs in Parallel Path/Road Intersection Designs Pro-Walk/Pro-Bike Conference, Victoria, British Columbia September 7-10, 2004 Presenter: John van der Mark P.Eng, Vandermark Consulting Founding Member Velo Ontario
Page 2 One-way Path - London, Ontario
Page 3 One-way Path - London, Ontario
Page 4 Two-way Path - Burlington, Ontario
Page 5 Two-way Path - Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto
Page 6 Two-way Path - Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto
Page 7 Outline: Problem situations Research findings Legislation in Ontario Counter-measures Innovative examples
Page 8 “Within the design process there will be competing alternatives that must be thoughtfully considered to arrive at the best solution; this is the design challenge. The choice between improved safety and higher cost or reduced safety and lower cost is not only technical but also requires policy decisions”. (TAC Geometric Design Guide 1999)
Page 9 Designers and owners should provide acceptable levels of safety for the users of multi-use paths and the overall road network, accounting for a government’s policy decision to promote cycling and walking. (“Duty of Care” - Path Design)
Page 10 Motor vehicle / Bicycle Collisions Highest number reported at intersections Bicycling on sidewalk/crosswalk is hazardous Paths increase the risk at intersecting roads Most common: motor vehicles turning right colliding with cyclists going straight
Page 11 Ontario Legislation Highway Traffic Act (HTA) Municipal Act Occupiers Liability Act
Page 12 Counter-Measures Is the path warranted? Can the path/road intersection be avoided? Explore design improvements Consider traffic signal management
Page 13 Proposed Path Concept - Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto
Page 14 Constructed Path - Lakeshore Road East, Toronto
Page 15 Conclusions Current land use planning is inadequate Poor bikeway designs lead to collisions and lawsuits Balance cycling safety with cycling promotion Designers have a duty of care Explore innovative designs
Page 16 Credits Eglinton Avenue West Path Functional Design for City of Toronto Consultant: du Toit Allsop Hillier – McCormick Rankin