Office of Traffic, Security and Operations 1500 West County Road B2 Tel: Mail Stop 725 Fax: Roseville, MN 55113

Transcription

1 Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Traffic, Security and Operations 1500 West County Road B2 Tel: Mail Stop 725 Fax: Roseville, MN October 21, 2005 To: From: Subject: District Traffic Engineers District Maintenance Engineers County and City Engineers Bernie Arseneau State Traffic Engineer Guidelines for Two-way nighttime operation of snowmobiles Two-way nighttime snowmobile operation has been a legislative issue for the past several years. During the 2004 session, the legislature amended Minnesota Statute section to allow the commissioner of transportation to permit two-way operation of snowmobiles on either side of the trunk highway right-of way where it is determined the operation will not endanger users of the trunk highway or riders of the snowmobiles. During the 2005 session, the legislature also amended Minnesota Statute section to allow local road authorities to permit two-way operation on local streets and highway right-of-way. The specific language of the new laws is shown in Attachment A (2004) and Attachment B (2005). To further clarify how this would be implemented, Attachment C (Requirements for Limited Use Permit for Snowmobile Trails within Mn/DOT Right-of Way) was presented to the 2004 legislative committee. Based on discussions with the legislative committee, the DNR, DPS and Mn/DOT clearly intended that two-way nighttime snowmobile trails would be the exception, not the norm. Permits for two-way nighttime snowmobile operations should be granted only when there is a compelling safety reason and normally for short distances of less than ½ mile. All three agencies should agree that the operation will not cause confusion to motorists and provide for a safer snowmobile operation. The following guidelines will facilitate the permit process. It is important that Mn/DOT give adequate time for DNR and DPS to review the permit and provide feedback. A. Snowmobile clubs need to work with a local government agency to sponsor the permit request. The local government agency applies for the permit at the Mn/DOT District Office. B. Mn/DOT District Traffic Engineer and Maintenance Engineer review the permit application to ensure two-way nighttime operation of snowmobiles is justified and can be accommodated in a safe manner. Page 1 of 2

2 Figure 1

3 Minnesota Session Laws Key: language to be deleted...new language Change language enhancement display. Legislative history and Authors CHAPTER 244-H.F.No. 532 An act relating to highways; allowing two-way operation of snowmobiles on either side of highway right-of-way when authorized by commissioner of transportation; amending Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 84.87, subdivision 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 84.87, subdivision 1, is amended to read: Subdivision 1. [OPERATION ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.] (a) No person shall operate a snowmobile upon the roadway, shoulder, or inside bank or slope of any trunk, county state-aid, or county highway in this state and, in the case of a divided trunk or county highway, on the right-of-way between the opposing lanes of traffic, except as provided in sections to No person shall operate a snowmobile within the right-of-way of any trunk, county state-aid, or county highway between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, except on the right-hand side of such right-of-way and in the same direction as the highway traffic on the nearest lane of the roadway adjacent thereto. No snowmobile shall be operated at any time within the right-of-way of any interstate highway or freeway within this state. (b) Notwithstanding any provision of paragraph (a) to the contrary, but under conditions prescribed by the commissioner of transportation, the commissioner of transportation may allow two-way operation of snowmobiles on either side of the trunk highway right-of-way where the commissioner of transportation determines that two-way operation will not endanger users of the trunk highway or riders of the snowmobiles using the trail. (b) (c) A snowmobile may make a direct crossing of a street or highway at any hour of the day provided: (1) the crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and (2) the snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the highway; and (3) the driver yields the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic which constitutes an immediate hazard; and (4) in crossing a divided highway, the crossing is made only at an intersection of such highway with another public street or highway; and Attachment A Page 1 of 2

4 (5) if the crossing is made between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise or in conditions of reduced visibility, only if both front and rear lights are on; and (6) a snowmobile may be operated upon a bridge, other than a bridge that is part of the main traveled lanes of an interstate highway, when required for the purpose of avoiding obstructions to travel when no other method of avoidance is possible; provided the snowmobile is operated in the extreme right-hand lane, the entrance to the roadway is made within 100 feet of the bridge and the crossing is made without undue delay. (c) (d) No snowmobile shall be operated upon a public street or highway unless it is equipped with at least one headlamp, one tail lamp, each of minimum candlepower as prescribed by rules of the commissioner, reflector material of a minimum area of 16 square inches mounted on each side forward of the handle bars, and with brakes each of which shall conform to standards prescribed by rule of the commissioner pursuant to the authority vested in the commissioner by section 84.86, and each of which shall be subject to approval of the commissioner of public safety. (d) (e) A snowmobile may be operated upon a public street or highway other than as provided by clause (b) paragraph (c) in an emergency during the period of time when and at locations where snow upon the roadway renders travel by automobile impractical. (e) (f) All provisions of chapters 169 and 169A shall apply to the operation of snowmobiles upon streets and highways, except for those relating to required equipment, and except those which by their nature have no application. Section applies to the operation of snowmobiles anywhere in the state or on the ice of any boundary water of the state. (f) (g) Any sled, trailer, or other device being towed by a snowmobile must be equipped with reflective materials as required by rule of the commissioner. Presented to the governor May 18, 2004 Signed by the governor May 29, 2004, 9:00 a.m. Attachment A Page 2 of 2

5 Minnesota Session Laws Key: language to be deleted...new language Change language enhancement display. Legislative history and Authors CHAPTER 72-S.F.No An act relating to highways; allowing two-way operation of snowmobiles on either side of local road right-of-way when authorized by local road authorities; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 84.87, subdivision 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 84.87, subdivision 1, is amended to read: Subdivision 1. [OPERATION ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.] (a) No person shall operate a snowmobile upon the roadway, shoulder, or inside bank or slope of any trunk, county state-aid, or county highway in this state and, in the case of a divided trunk or county highway, on the right-of-way between the opposing lanes of traffic, except as provided in sections to No person shall operate a snowmobile within the right-of-way of any trunk, county state-aid, or county highway between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, except on the right-hand side of such right-of-way and in the same direction as the highway traffic on the nearest lane of the roadway adjacent thereto. No snowmobile shall be operated at any time within the right-of-way of any interstate highway or freeway within this state. (b) Notwithstanding any provision of paragraph (a) to the contrary, but: (1) under conditions prescribed by the commissioner of transportation, the commissioner of transportation may allow two-way operation of snowmobiles on either side of the trunk highway right-of-way where the commissioner of transportation determines that two-way operation will not endanger users of the trunk highway or riders of the snowmobiles using the trail; (2) under conditions prescribed by a local road authority as defined in section , subdivision 25, the road authority may allow two-way operation of snowmobiles on either side of the right-of-way of a street or highway under the road authority's jurisdiction, where the road authority determines that two-way operation will not endanger users of the street or highway or riders of the snowmobiles using the trail; (3) the commissioner of transportation under clause (1) and the local road authority under clause (2) shall notify the commissioner of natural resources and the local law enforcement agencies responsible for the streets or highways of the locations of two-way snowmobile trails authorized under this paragraph; and (4) two-way snowmobile trails authorized under this paragraph shall be posted for two-way operation at the authorized locations. Attachment B Page 1 of 2

6 (c) A snowmobile may make a direct crossing of a street or highway at any hour of the day provided: (1) the crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and (2) the snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the highway; and (3) the driver yields the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic which constitutes an immediate hazard; and (4) in crossing a divided highway, the crossing is made only at an intersection of such highway with another public street or highway; and (5) if the crossing is made between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise or in conditions of reduced visibility, only if both front and rear lights are on; and (6) a snowmobile may be operated upon a bridge, other than a bridge that is part of the main traveled lanes of an interstate highway, when required for the purpose of avoiding obstructions to travel when no other method of avoidance is possible; provided the snowmobile is operated in the extreme right-hand lane, the entrance to the roadway is made within 100 feet of the bridge and the crossing is made without undue delay. (d) No snowmobile shall be operated upon a public street or highway unless it is equipped with at least one headlamp, one tail lamp, each of minimum candlepower as prescribed by rules of the commissioner, reflector material of a minimum area of 16 square inches mounted on each side forward of the handle bars, and with brakes each of which shall conform to standards prescribed by rule of the commissioner pursuant to the authority vested in the commissioner by section 84.86, and each of which shall be subject to approval of the commissioner of public safety. (e) A snowmobile may be operated upon a public street or highway other than as provided by paragraph (c) in an emergency during the period of time when and at locations where snow upon the roadway renders travel by automobile impractical. (f) All provisions of chapters 169 and 169A shall apply to the operation of snowmobiles upon streets and highways, except for those relating to required equipment, and except those which by their nature have no application. Section applies to the operation of snowmobiles anywhere in the state or on the ice of any boundary water of the state. (g) Any sled, trailer, or other device being towed by a snowmobile must be equipped with reflective materials as required by rule of the commissioner. Presented to the governor May 19, 2005 Signed by the governor May 23, 2005, 12:10 p.m. Attachment B Page 2 of 2

7 Requirements for Limited Use Permit for Snowmobile Trails within Mn/DOT Right-of-Way Background: The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) has determined that the Limited Use Permit will be the appropriate instrument for handling requests for snowmobile trails within our right-of way. This permit will be administered and issued through Mn/DOT s Office of Land Management. Since each trail is unique and the surrounding conditions vary throughout the state, it would be prudent to stipulate general criteria to be considered in a review process format rather than enumerating a specific list of requirements. Requirements: Limited use permits are to be issued only to local governmental units or other state agencies. To submit a permit request, local snowmobile clubs must find a government agency to sponsor them. The permit petitioner shall apply for the permit at Mn/DOT s District Office. Two-way nighttime operation is considered the exception rather than the rule, and it must state in the permit application whether the trail is intended for two-way nighttime use. The District Traffic Engineer and the Area Maintenance Engineer will have approval authority for all requests, including those to permit two-way nighttime operation of snowmobiles on either side of the roadway. The District Traffic and Maintenance Engineers will consult with the DNR s District Enforcement Supervisor and the State Patrol s Local District Commander when making reviews of limited use permits for snowmobile trails. The traffic and maintenance engineers will review the application for the proposed snowmobile trails keeping safety in mind. The prime safety consideration for two-way nighttime use is whether confusion may arise during nighttime hours when a motor vehicle is being approached by the lights of an oncoming snowmobile. In order to prevent this confusion, oncoming lights in the right hand ditch must be avoided. Circumstances which may eliminate the confusion and thus make two-way travel acceptable could include the following: extra wide rightof-way, fencing or vegetation growth which blocks oncoming headlights, elevation differences, or in an urban setting, enough ambient background lighting where a motor vehicle driver can clearly distinguish that the oncoming lights are from a snowmobile in the ditch. Attachment C Page 1 of 1

8 Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources Enforcement Division CONSERVATION OFFICER DNR - REGIONAL ENFORCEMENT OFFICES Region 1 Northwest Region CAPT Roger Tietz DNR Enforcement Division 2115 Birchmont Beach Rd. N.E. Bemidji, MN FAX roger.tietz@dnr.state.mn.us Region 2 Northeast Region Acting CAPT Ken Soring DNR Enforcement Division 1201 E. Hwy. 2 Grand Rapids, MN FAX ken.soring@dnr.state.mn.us Region 3 Central/Metro Region CAPT Cathy Hamm DNR Enforcement Division 1200 Warner Rd. St. Paul, MN FAX cathy.hamm@dnr.state.mn.us Region 4 South Region CAPT Randy Evans DNR Enforcement Division 261 S. Hwy. 15 New Ulm, MN FAX randy.evans@dnr.state.mn.us Attachment D Page 1 of 2

9 Attachment D Page 2 or 2

10 Office of Traffic, Security & Operations Mail Stop 725 STATE OF MINNESOTA OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: District Traffic Engineers DATE: August 19, 2005 FROM: Mike Weiss, Chair TEO Signing/Pavement Marking Committee PHONE: SUBJECT: TEO Signing Committee Topics #267 Two Way Snowmobile Trail Signing On April 11, the TEO Executive Committee approved guidelines for two way snowmobile trail signs. These signs were developed since Minnesota Statute 2002, section 84.87, subd. 1(b) was amended in The amendment states the Commissioner of Transportation may allow two-way operation of snowmobiles on either side of the trunk highway right of way where the operation will not endanger users of the trunk highway or snowmobile riders using the trail. In addition, Mn/DOT issued Requirements for Limited Use Permit for Snowmobile Trails within Mn/DOT Right-of-Way. Signing of Mn/DOT permitted two way snowmobile trails within state highway right of way, which will be the responsibility of the DNR, shall be in accordance with the following guidelines: The sign panel (design attached) shall be black on white minimum ASTM Type III retroreflective sheeting A 3 inch x 3 inch piece of yellow minimum ASTM Type III sheeting shall be attached in the lower left corner on the back of the two way sign panel The sign panel shall display BEGIN and END plaques (designs attached) in black on minimum ASTM Type III sheeting, above the two-way sign panel, designating the beginning and end of the two way trail The sign post shall be on the FHWA approved listing of breakaway posts to support the sign panel at a mounting height of 5 feet The sign shall be installed on the right side of the trail These guidelines, which will be forwarded to the DNR by Sue Groth, will be included in the next update to the TEM, Standard Signs Manual and Standard Signs Summary. Attachments: Sign panel designs (two) cc: Area Maintenance Engineers District/Division Signing/Traffic Services TEO Signing/Pavement Marking Committee members Rick Sunstrom Ken Schroepfer John Benson Sue Groth Attachment E Page 1 of 1

11 C. Mn/DOT District Traffic Engineer contacts the appropriate DNR Regional Enforcement Supervisor (see Attachment D) and DPS District Commander for their input giving them adequate time to consult their enforcement personnel for feedback. D. Based on the feedback from DNR and DPS, Mn/DOT will decide to approve or deny the permit. If approved, the District Traffic Engineer should send a copy of the executed permit to the DNR Regional Enforcement Supervisor and DPS District Commander who will then notify the appropriate enforcement officers, including the local Conservation Officers. E. Signs designating two-way nighttime operation shall be installed at the beginning and end of the two-way trail. Sign installation and maintenance are the responsibility of the snowmobile club and the local unit of government responsible for the trail. The standard sign specifications for two-way nighttime snowmobile operation are shown below in Figure 1 with guidelines outlined in Attachment E. Should you have any further questions, please contact Sue Groth, Assistant State Traffic Engineer, phone number Attachment A-E cc: Brian Erickson, DPS Pat Watts, DNR Page 2 of 2