Designing for Nonmotorists: Shared Use Paths

1
Designing for Nonmotorists Shared Use Paths

• Trails for Transportation
• Christopher Douwes, Trails and Enhancements
  Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration

2
Designing for Nonmotorists Course Overview

• Part 3 Off-Road Facilities
• Shared Use Paths
• Recreational Trails
• Motorized Trails
• Part 4 Resources
• Training, Publications, and Websites
• Credits

3
Shared Use Paths
4
What is a Shared Use Path?

• The term shared use path means a multi-use
  trail or other path, physically separated from
  motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or
  barrier, either within a highway right-of-way or
  within an independent right-of-way, and usable
  for transportation purposes.
• Shared use paths may be used by pedestrians,
  bicyclists, skaters, equestrians, and other
  nonmotorized users.

5
Sidewalk or Trail?

• What is the difference between a sidewalk and a
  trail? Part function, part location.
• If it acts like a sidewalk, its a sidewalk.
• If it acts like a trail, its a trail.
• If it is in between..
• Facilities on park land parallel to streets.
• Doesnt matter who maintains (parks or streets
  department). The function matters.
• People will always argue fine details..

6
Provisions

• If you build a shared use path.
• Make sure it works for all users.
• Accommodate pre-existing legal users, including
  equestrians.
• Ensure Accessibility to be covered in the
  Accessible Design course.
• Ensure construction to guidelines Verify!

7
Good Examples

• Oregon integrates recreational trails and
  transportation facilities Portland Esplanade
• Trails connect parks and recreation MKT Trail,
  Columbia MO

8
Bad Example

• What do these curves do?
• Landscape architect vs
• Engineer?
• Practical vs pretty?
• Transportation vs recreation?
• Opposite side of the road from a high school and
  other origins or destinations no crosswalks.
• It may be part of a larger plan.

9
Shared Use Paths Guidelines

• American Association of State Highway
• and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
• Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities
  1999. https//bookstore.transportation.org/.
• The 2010 version is under final review.
• Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of
  Pedestrian Facilities 2004. https//bookstore.tra
  nsportation.org/

10
Shared Use Paths Surface

• Surface Firm and stable.
• Must accommodate wheelchairs.
• Accommodate narrow-tire bicycles.
• Accommodate people pushing baby strollers (good
  test equipment).
• Slip resistance desired, but not required.
• Required for public rights-of-way (PROW).
• Pavement is not required. Pavement may not be
  appropriate in some settings (rural).

11
Shared Use Paths Surface

• There are no Federal laws or regulations that
  require a shared use path to be paved.

12
Shared Use Paths Surface

• Firm and stable.
• Some crushed aggregates can be firm and stable.
• Rotational Penetrometer
• Measures firmness and stability of
• ground and floor surfaces.
• www.beneficialdesigns.com/surfaces/surface.htmlro
  tational

13
Shared Use Paths Surface

• Pavement
• Asphalt or Concrete?
• Asphalt often cheaper to construct, but may
  suffer water, frost, and tree root damage.
• Concrete may be cheaper in the long run may
  better withstand flooding, frost, roots, etc.
• Concrete use saw cut for joints.
• Check for accessibility and a smooth surface.

14
Shared Use Paths Tread Obstacles

• Tread Obstacles Avoid, Minimize, and Prevent.
• Prevent roots, rocks, ruts, bumps, cracks, etc.
• Maintain a smooth path sweep, fix
  irregularities.
• Exception Detectable warnings at crossings.

15
Shared Use Paths Gaps

• Gaps Avoid, Minimize, and Prevent.
• Keep drainage grates off the trail.
• Minimize openings, pavement and bridge joints,
  open bridge decks, railroad crossings,
  boardwalks.
• Openings shall not permit passage of a 0.5 inch /
  13 mm diameter sphere.
• Elongated openings should be perpendicular or
  diagonal to travel direction.
• Some exceptions for boardwalks 0.75 inch/19 mm.

16
Shared Use Paths Speed

• Design Speed AASHTO Guide is 20 mi/h.
• Draft 2010 AASHTO Guide proposes 14 mi/h.
• REASON Most bicyclists are slower than the
  design bicyclist, pedestrians, other users.
• Consider not having completely straight paths
• May encourage excessive speed.
• May result in speed variation conflicts.
• Boring experience.

17
Shared Use Paths Width

• How much use will there be?
• 8 foot minimum for low-use facilities
• Connectors between cul-de-sac neighborhoods.
• To avoid inviting cut-through motor vehicles.
• Prefer 10 foot minimum, recommend 12 foot, more
  if needed.
• Avoid designing only
• for the minimum.

18
Shared Use Paths Width

• High use facilities Consider separating heels
  and wheels on two separate paths.

19
Shared Use Paths Width

• Passing Space
• Accessibility requirement At least 60 inches
  (1525 mm) width within 1,000 foot (300 m)
  intervals.
• Usually not an issue for Shared Use Paths.
• Avoid designing only for the minimum.

20
Shared Use Paths Slope

• Slope Accessibility is the primary
  consideration.
• Based on Outdoor Developed Areas Guidelines.
• Access Board to propose stricter guidelines
• Either Public Rights of Way (PROW), or
• Outdoor Recreation Access Routes (ORAR).
• At highway crossings Highway slope is trail
  cross slope, highway cross slope is trail slope.

21
Shared Use Paths Slope

• Slope lt5 to the extent feasible.
• Slope ORAR Trail
• 120 (5) any length any length
• 112 (8.33) up to 50 feet up to 200 feet
• 110 (10) up to 30 feet up to 30 feet
• 18 (12.5) no up to 10 feet
• Trail No more than 30 of the total trail length
  shall exceed 112 (8.33).

22
Shared Use Paths Slope

• Avoid abrupt grade changes
• Not only annoying, they can be dangerous.

23
Shared Use Paths Rest Intervals

• Rest Intervals A place to stop and rest.
• Where running slopes exceed 120 (5), at
  intervals no greater than the lengths permitted
  under running slope.
• Size 60 inch (1525 mm) length, at least as wide
  as the widest trail segment adjacent to the rest
  area.
• PROW Level Landing 2.
• ORAR 3 (5 if drainage needs).
• Trail 5 (exempt if not possible).
• Rest area may be off to the side.

24
Shared Use Paths Cross Slope

• Cross Slope lt2 on paved surfaces.
• PROW ORAR Trail
• General 2 3 5, 3 preferred
• Exception 5 5 10
• At street crossings without stop control or at
  midblock.
• If needed for drainage on an unpaved surface.
• Superelevation? Accessibility trumps.

25
Shared Use Paths Vertical Clearance

• Accessibility 80 inches minimum.
• Equestrian Use 10 feet minimum.

26
Shared Use Paths Vertical Clearance

• Maintenance vehicles 12 feet? More?
• Provide warnings or barriers for low overhead
  clearance detectable by people with visual
  impairments.

27
Shared Use Paths Protruding Objects

• Avoid protruding objects in the treadway
• Poles, wires, signs, other objects.
• Tree branches, hanging vines.
• Mark unavoidable objects with retroreflective
  markings.
• Covered in Accessible Design Course.

28
Shared Use Path Crossings

• Use Public Rights-of-Way Guidelines.
• Treat as an intersection.
• Who gets the right of way? Where is the volume?
• Include detectable warnings.

29
Trails in Freeway Rights-of-Way

• QUESTION Can trails be built along an Interstate
  or other freeway right-of-way?
• ANSWER
• Yes! There are examples.
• Ensure barrier separation between the trail and
  freeway lanes.
• www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/freeways.htm

30
Shared Use Paths Near Railroads

• QUESTION Can Shared Use Paths (or other trails)
  coexist with railroads?
• ANSWER
• It depends.
• Right-of-way.
• Safety
• Security
• No trespassing!

31
Shared Use Paths Near Railroads

• Many factors to consider.
• See FHWA/FRA Rails-with-Trails Lessons Learned
  www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/rwt/index.h
  tm
• Trail may reduce trespassing on railroad
  property.
• Trail is easier to use than walking on tracks.
• Use a barrier
• Fence or vegetation.
• Ditch.
• Vertical grade.

32
Rails-to-Trails

• Good examples of shared use paths.
• Low grade, good sight lines, wide, stable base.
• It could handle trains, it can handle bicyclists
  and pedestrians!
• Access points must be accessible.
• Pay attention to property rights issues.

33
Bollards A Bad Idea. Why?

• What are some possible problems?

34
Bollards A Bad Idea

• Bollards should never be a default treatment.
• Bollards are a potentially fatal safety hazard.
• Unjustified bollards can create liability
  exposure.
• Bollards, gates, fences, or other barriers can
  slow emergency response access.
• Bollards are often ineffective people go around,
  or damage the bollards or area.
• A landscaped median is better.
• Dont use unless intrusions are documented.

35
Bollards A Bad Idea

• If installed, bollard, gates, fences, or other
  barriers
• Must not restrict access for people with
  disabilities.
• Must be easily visible in low light conditions.
• Have enough sight distance so users can adjust
  speed.
• Should permit passage, without dismounting, for
  adult tricycles, bicycles towing trailers, and
  tandem bicycles.
• Accommodate all users legally permitted to use
  the trail.
• Must be easily removable for emergency vehicle
  access.
• Never use even numbers of bollards, possibly
  creating head-on collisions.. (see previous
  examples).

36
Environmental Impacts

• Shared use paths may qualify for Categorical
  Exclusions, but they can impact
• Drainage patterns and wetlands.
• Wildlife threatened and endangered species.
• Historic, cultural, archaeological resources.
• Privacy perceptions for adjacent properties.
• Light pollution.

37
Bridges Essential Links

• Bridges are needed for any transportation
  network.
• Union Street Railroad Bridge, Salem OR.
• A half-mile span over the Willamette River.
• The project improved bicycle and pedestrian
  safety and access, and provided a critical link
  in local, regional, and State transportation and
  trail networks.

38
Bridges Essential Links

• Be creative.
• Reuse historic bridges.
• Reuse railroad flatcars.

39
Rail Bridge to Trail BridgeWalkway Over the
HudsonPoughkeepsie Highland NY
40
Big Dam BridgeNear Little Rock AR

• Over Lock Dam.
• Built and managed by
• by Pulaski County.

41
Tunnels and Underpasses

• Design for the tallest likely user
• Maintenance vehicles
• Equestrians
• Snow level
• Think about
• maintenance.

42
Tunnels and Underpasses

• Design for Perception of Security
• Good visibility through the underpass
• No hiding places.
• Lighting if needed.
• Highway underpasses
• Underpass approach
• grade may be easier than
• a bridge over.
• Drainage issues.

43
Signs

• See MUTCD Chapter 9 http//mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/.

44
Support Facilities

• Trailside and Trailhead Facilities
• Rest rooms, water.
• Benches along trails, hitching posts, bike racks.
• Buildings and built site facilities must meet
  accessibility guidelines for built facilities.
• Not our job Park amenities picnic pavilions,
  campgrounds, ball fields, boat launches, etc.
• Not our job school running tracks, lighting.

45
Motorized Use on Shared Use Paths

• Generally prohibited. Exceptions
• Motorized wheelchairs
• Snowmobiles or electric bicycles at State or
  local option
• See Framework for Considering Motorized Use on
  Nonmotorized Trails and Pedestrian Walkways
• www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/framework.htm
  
• Electric vehicles currently not allowed (except
  electric bicycles at State or local option).

46
Motorized Use or Larger Vehicles on Shared Use
Paths

• Coming soon to a trail near you?

47
Critique?

• What do you see that you like?
• What do you see that you dont like?

48
Questions, Comments, etc.

• ?????