1. Revision to the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities Presentation by: Jennifer Toole Principal Investigator July 21 st, 2009

2. NCHRP Project 15-37 Some history –This will be the 4 th edition of the Guide –Last Guide – 1999, largely written in 96-98 –John LaPlante and Jennifer Toole – co-authors –Survey to update Guide – 2004  Chair of NCHRP Panel – Dwight Kingsbury, Florida DOT  Panel includes:  7 members from State DOTs  2 FHWA representatives  3 members from local agencies  1 consultant

3. Team and Panel Project Team Jennifer Toole, Principal Investigator Eric Mongelli, P.E. William Schultheiss, P.E. Nick Jackson Subject Matter Experts: –John LaPlante, P.E., PTOE –Michael Moule, P.E. –Michael Ronkin –Mia Birk –Matthew Ridgeway –Shawn Turner, P.E. –Srinivasa Sunkari, P.E. –Bill Hunter Panel Dwight Kingsbury, Chair Denise Chaplick David Church, P.E. Ann Do Eric Glick Fred Glick, RLA Thomas Huber Mary Meletiou Richard Moeur, P.E. William Prosser, P.E. William Riccio, Jr., P.E. Cara Seiderman Richard Pain

4. Project Timeline  NCHRP Project Completion – Fall 2009

5. Reviewed findings of scoping study (survey) Reviewed a significant body of research and literature Drew upon our own experience using the Guide on a daily basis Drew upon the experience of our Team and Panel This presentation will cover the highlights of new and revised content of design chapters. Basis for Content Changes

6. Issues NOT addressed by this Guide Contrasting colored pavements Bike boxes Cycle tracks Raised bike lanes Bicycle signal heads

7. Important source for design chaps

8. New Chapter Bicycle Operation and Safety Sets the stage for Design Chapters Organizes info on design vehicle Overview of traffic principles for bicycles –Positioning on the roadway in different situations Causes of bicycle crashes –Urban vs. rural –Young vs. adult riders –Etc.

9. Key Dimensions Chart

10. Chapter 4 Design of On-Road Facilities More guidance on shared lanes, general roadway compatibility New sections on shared lane markings, bicycle boulevards and wayfinding signage More context and detail for bike lane guidance –More info on bike lanes with various roadway configurations –More info on bike lanes at intersections New section on retrofitting existing roadways to accommodate bicycles

11. Shared Lanes Roads do not need a special bicycle facility to be compatible Design guidance for wide outside lanes is same (14’) Guidance on selecting appropriate type of bikeway given traffic volumes and speeds (Bicycle LOS)

12. Shared Lane Markings Coordinated with MUTCD

13. Locations to use SLM’s Adjacent to on-street parking to position cyclist outside of door zone In wide lanes to position away from curb Narrow lanes Multi-lane roads where there is no room for bike lane Climbing lanes (on downgrade) paired with bike lane

14. Climbing Lanes

15. Where NOT to use SLM’s On paved shoulders or bike lanes Where the speed limit exceeds 35 mph

16. Paved Shoulders Shoulder width: –4 ft. min, 5 ft against vertical face –Wider if there are higher speeds/volumes (per BLOS) At shoulder bypass lanes – carry shoulder space through T-intersections

18. Bicycle Lanes Markings are required, but signs are optional More guidance for markings at bus stops Both symbols still allowed

19. Left-Side Bicycle Lanes Discussion of when left side bike lanes can be beneficial on one-way streets: –When there are a lot of left-turning bicyclists –If the left-side lane would decrease conflicts, i.e. with buses or heavy right turn volumes

20. Bicycle Lane Widths – DRAFT Same as last Guide – 5 ft standard width (4 ft with no curb and gutter) Some caveats: –5 ft bike lane is sufficient assuming a 1 ft wide gutter –In states that use a 2 ft wide gutter, a 6 ft wide bike lane is preferred, with 5 ft as a minimum width in locations with lower speeds –In extremely constrained, urban low speed environments where 5 ft cannot be achieved and there is no gutter, a 4 ft wide bike lane is acceptable (assumes adjacent travel lane has been narrowed to the minimum acceptable width)

21. Angled Parking Bike lanes not recommended at front-in angled parking Bike lanes are OK with back-in angled parking if parking bays are sufficient length

22. Typical bike lane markings

23. Bicycle Guide Signs Deemphasizes bike routes, they are not a facility type Guidance on all sign types Signs are not a substitute for good geometric design D-Series are below

24. Bicycle Guide Signs

25. M1-8 and M1-9 Series

26. Traffic Signals Significantly expanded guidance Formulas and diagrams based on new data Assumes one speed – 10 mph – rather than different speeds for A, B and C bicyclists Appropriate to modify the minimum green interval, all-red interval, and extension time for bicyclist speeds.

27. Bicycle Minimum Green Bicyclists require more time to clear intersection than motorists More important where minor streets cross major roads (may be a long distance with a short cycle length) Two choices: –Program controller to provide BMG with a detector –Increase minimum green for all vehicles

28. Detection for Bikes at Signals Provides more guidance on: –Loop configurations that best detect bicycles –Sensitivity settings –Use of upstream detectors –Detector markings

29. Roadway Bridges Bridges should accommodate bicycles “Absence of bicycle accommodations on the approach should not prevent the accommodation of bicycles on the bridge.”

30. Bridge Railings In locations where bicyclists will operate in close proximity to railings, should be a minimum of 42” high. On bridges where bicycle speeds are likely to be high and where a bicyclist could impact a barrier at a 25 degree angle or greater, use 48” railing.

31. Bicycles on Freeways Addresses considerations if bicycles are allowed to operate on the freeway Addresses freeway interchange design –Design junctions as right-angle intersections if possible

32. Single Point Urban Interchange

33. Merge Ramp Options

35. Bicycles at Roundabouts Terminate bike lanes in advance (at least 100 ft) General design issues –Low speed roundabouts are best (15-20 mph) –Discourages use of multi-lane roundabouts unless absolutely necessary For multi-lane roundabouts, provide opportunity for bicyclist to exit roadway and use sidewalk

36. Multi-lane Roundabouts

37. Chapter 5 Design of Shared Use Paths New stand-alone chapter Reflects several significant studies: –Characteristics of Emerging Trail and Roadway Users –Shared Use Path Level of Service –Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas –Safety Effects of Marked Versus Unmarked Crosswalks at Uncontrolled Locations Fills missing gaps in the old Guide

38. Sidepath Guidance Consolidates discussion of SUP’s adjacent to roadways – Clearly defines “sidepath” –Expands discussion of operational problems –Acknowledges reasons for building paths adjacent to roadways –Provides guidance on when and where these facilities are appropriate –Provides design guidance for those locations

40. Sidepaths may be considered: Adjacent road has high speeds and volumes and no practical alternatives for improving on-road conditions or adjacent routes Sidepath is used for a short distance to connect: –Pathway segments –Local streets used as bicycle routes Sidepath can be built with few roadway and driveway crossings Sidepath can be terminated in a bicycle compatible location

41. Shoulders/clearances Graded shoulder of 3-5 ft recommended, max cross slope of 1:6 Minimum clearance of 2 ft to lateral obstructions –Except at smooth features such as railings or fences, 1 ft is acceptable Adjacent to hazards, 5 ft separation is desired –Water hazards –Downward slopes greater than 3:1 –Depending on height of embankment and condition at bottom, railing may be needed

42. Safety rail guidelines

43. Design Speed Old Guide: 20 mph min design speed New Guide: “No single design speed” for all paths –Consider types of users, terrain, path surface Guidelines: –Generally should not be lower than 85 th percentile speed: 14 mph –For longer segments in flat areas: 18 mph –Higher design speeds in hilly terrain, up to 30 mph

44. Horizontal Alignment Horizontal curve formula is now based on lean angle rather than superelevation By revising formulas and using new design speeds, min. curve radius can be lower: –Old Guide: 90-100 ft min –New Guide: 60 ft (18 mph design speed)

45. Speed Control on Paths Introduces concept of using geometric design and traffic control to reduce user speeds, such as curvature Recommends centerline stripe to reduce speeds and address conflicts Depends on site specific context

49. Stopping Sight Distance New braking friction factor for bikes (0.16) Longer stopping distances but reduced design speed offsets this Gives values for other users

50. Path-Roadway Intersections Significantly expanded guidance Explains the complexities of path-roadway intersections: − Fastest user must be considered on the approach − Slowest user must be considered at the crossing Three intersection types: –Midblock –Sidepath –Grade-separated

51. Mid-Block Intersections Geometric design issues Special issues with assignment of right-of-way Determining appropriate crossing measures Determining priority assignment Routine use of stop signs Evaluating sight distance and selecting type of control Midblock signalized intersections Examples

52. Example Yield Control for Path

53. Example Stop Control for Path

54. Design at Sidepath Intersections Based on Florida DOT research Reduce turning speeds at driveways and intersections – tighter corner radii, avoid free-flowing movements, provide median refuge islands, carry path surface across driveway, etc. Reduce frequency of driveways Consider design to reduce path user speeds Employ measures on adjacent road to reduce speeds

55. Design at Sidepath Intersections Facilitate bicycle movements to/from road to pathway Keep crossings clear of obstructions Add stop or yield bars to instruct drivers crossing pathway Design path termini to ensure proper operation of bicyclists entering roadway

56. New Chapter Bicycle Parking Planning for bicycle parking Short-term bicycle parking –Location –Design –Special types of racks Long-term bicycle parking

57. Next up: AASHTO Ped Guide! NCHRP 20-7, Task 263 Opinion Survey – OPEN ‘TILL JULY 31 http://tinyurl.com/AASHTO-Ped-Guide Includes a literature review Project concludes in October Will provide an annotated outline for the next Guide

58. Thank you! Contact information: Jennifer Toole Toole Design Group jtoole@tooledesign.com