International Approaches to Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Design

1
International Approaches to Bicycle and
Pedestrian Facility Design

• Lesson 23

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Lesson Outline

• Comparison of walking/biking levels.
• What can U.S. learn from other countries?
• Examples of pedestrian facilities.
• Examples of bicycle facilities.

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Bicycling and Walking Levels
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What Can the United States Borrow from Other
Countries?

• Better facilities for bicycling and walking.
• Areawide traffic calming of neighborhoods.
• Urban design oriented to people, not cars.
• Restrictions on motor vehicle use.
• Better traffic education and enforcement.

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Pedestrian Facilities

• Pedestrian crossings
• Zebra.
• Pelican.
• Toucan (bikes pedestrians).
• Puffin.
• Pavement messages.
• Pedestrian signal displays.

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Pedestrian Crossing Treatments
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Pavement Messages

• Used in London and Salt Lake City.
• Prompts tourists and other pedestrians to look in
  correct direction for traffic.

8
Animated Eyes

• Used in Canada.
• Now included in 2003 MUTCD.
• Prompts pedestrians to look for turning vehicle
  traffic.

9
Pedestrian Zone/Mall

• Used on downtown streets.
• Some U.S. examples exist.
• Restricts motor vehicle traffic.
• Permits bicycles, buses, and taxis.

(This picture shows a bicyclist not wearing a
helmet. FHWA strongly recommends that all
bicyclists wear helmets.)
10
Bicycle LanesThe Netherlands

• Red pavement color.
• Wide enough for two bicyclists.
• Extensive network.
• Marked through intersections.

(This picture shows bicyclists not wearing
helmets. FHWA strongly recommends that all
bicyclists wear helmets.)
11
Bicycle Signals The Netherlands

• Red, yellow, green signal indications for
  bicyclists.
• Special signal phases for bicyclist turning
  movements.

12
Shared Bus and Bicycle LaneGermany

• Shared lanes are 4.5 meters (m) (15 feet (ft))
  wide.
• Shared lane signing and marking.

(This picture shows a bicyclist not wearing a
helmet. FHWA strongly recommends that all
bicyclists wear helmets.)
13
Bicycle ParkingGermany

• Common at transit stations.
• Sheltered parking.
• Bicycle rentals common at transit stations.

14
Narrow/Contraflow LanesUnited Kingdom

• Narrower than AASHTO standards.
• Contraflow used on one-way streets for bicyclist
  convenience.

(This picture shows a bicyclist not wearing a
helmet. FHWA strongly recommends that all
bicyclists wear helmets.)
15
Bicycle Trails and Sidepaths

• Used throughout Europe.
• Some on abandoned rail right-of-way.
• Used more along high-speed roadways.
• More crashes at road intersections.

(This picture shows bicyclists not wearing
helmets. FHWA strongly recommends that all
bicyclists wear helmets.)
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Lesson Summary

• Some design concepts have migrated to the United
  States
• Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
  Alternative Treatments for At-Grade Pedestrian
  Crossings.
• ITE Innovative Bicycle Facilities.
• Policy and culture are more difficult to change
  they take more time.