Cycle traffic and the Strategic Road Network. Sandra Brown, Team Leader, Safer Roads- Design

Transcription

1 Cycle traffic and the Strategic Road Network Sandra Brown, Team Leader, Safer Roads- Design

2 Highways England A Government owned Strategic Highways Company Department for Transport Road Investment Strategy December 2014 Highways England Strategic Business Plan December 2014 Highways England Delivery Plan March 2015

3 The Strategic Road Network in England Approximately 7,000km in length Consists of approximately: 40% motorways 60% all-purpose single or dual carriageways Accounts for approximately: 34% of all road traffic 67% of freight traffic Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

4 The Strategic Road Network in England Motorways and high speed rural single and dual-carriageways Perceived as a barrier to cycle traffic Causes severance to local communities Not conducive to cycling Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

5 Time for change The nature of the Strategic Road Network means that provision for cycle traffic has not been a key factor in the past Providing for cycle traffic has been a problem for designers and is often left to the latter stages of scheme design which limits what provision can be accommodated Provision for cycle traffic has been perceived to be a bolt-on solution, rather than a key element of the design The result can be inadequate provision, fragmented and inconsistent with the needs of cycle traffic

6 The Government commitment Cycle Delivery Plan: Vision that walking and cycling become the natural choices for shorter journeys or as part of a longer journey regardless of age, gender, fitness or income Ambition for Cycling: Cycle Proofing making greater provision for cycling on the strategic road network by correcting historic problems, retrofitting the latest solutions and ensuring that it is easy and safe for cyclists to use junctions Investment: To improve access, integration and facilities on and around the Strategic Road Network 4.8m ( 6.7m) during to m ( 21m) during m ( 139m) 2015 to 2020

7 Designated funding o 100m ( 139m) will be invested to improve provision for cyclists on all-purpose trunk roads o Targeted to provide safe and direct routes that encourage cycling on and over the Strategic Road Network o Worked with key cycling stakeholders, including British Cycling, Sustrans and the Cyclists Touring Club to identify and prioritise a comprehensive list of locations based on an assessment of safety, connectivity and accessibility o A package of more than 40 schemes (including dedicated cycle lane facilities, improved crossing points and cycling safety measures) are already in design and development with the aim of completing construction during

8 Designated funding o The annual rolling programme of cycling schemes will continue to be developed throughout o The programme will ultimately deliver no fewer than 200 cycling facilities or crossing points on and around the Strategic Road Network by 2021 o Investments will be cycle proofed by building in cycling facilities where appropriate o Investment in cycling schemes by local authorities surrounding the Strategic Road Network will also be supported

9 Providing for Cycle Traffic Providing parallel routes, safe access and crossing points on the Strategic Road Network Five key design criteria: o Safety providing a safer environment for cycle traffic o Directness minimising journey times to destinations o Coherence providing links to destinations and other cycle routes, including local authority routes o Attractiveness inviting, visually pleasing o Comfort good quality, well maintained, easy to use for all types of cyclist

10 Highways England Cycling Strategy For the first time, Highways England is producing a bespoke Cycling Strategy: o Vision building on the five key design criteria o Background policy Context making the case for investment in cycling delivering cycling measures emphasis on the opportunities to improve cycling delivery o How the vision will be achieved identification of actions based on process, culture and people o Measuring success identification of milestones in 2021 and 2040 monitoring and evaluation

11 Cycling Task key workstreams Deliver a positive change in how Highways England make provision for cycle traffic on and around the Strategic Road Network Three key workstreams: o Publication of an Interim Advice Note adopting best practice and up to date concepts from across Europe o Launch of an E-learning training module to introduce a change in the mind-set of designers and engineers o A Marketing and Communications Strategy to engage with industry and key stakeholders Interim Advice Note (DMRB) MarComms Strategy E-learning Training

12 Interim Advice Note key aspects Existing up to date guidance is geared towards urban roads with slower traffic speeds and flows. Specific requirements are therefore needed for the high speed, rural nature of the Strategic Road Network. Introducing the term cycle traffic : o embraces cycling as a mode of transport o differentiates from slower moving pedestrians and equestrians Inclusive: o catering for all types of cycle user Stronger: o mandatory requirements to facilitate inclusion through all stages of scheme design Up to date: o embracing up to date concepts from UK and Europe Interim Advice Note (DMRB) MarComms Strategy E-learning Training

13 Interim Advice Note key aspects Introduction o Scope o Definitions Design Cycle o Defining the cycle Design requirements for cycle traffic: o On links o At at-grade junctions and crossings o At grade separated junctions and crossings o At roundabouts o At signalised roundabouts o Grade separated junction layouts for cycle traffic o Traffic signs and markings for cycle traffic o Construction and maintenance Engagement o Liaising with local authorities and cycle groups Interim Advice Note (DMRB) MarComms Strategy E-learning Training

14 Interim Advice Note design parameters Design speed o speeds of cycle traffic and the impact on design Gradients o minimising effort for uphill gradients and the impact of steep downhill gradients Cross Section o accommodating the design cycle Sightlines o safe stopping distances and the relationship to design speeds Headroom o clearance and impact on natural light Segregation o significant safety benefits Interim Advice Note (DMRB) MarComms Strategy E-learning Training

15 E-learning Training Creation of a bespoke E-learning computer training package to help designers and other engineers understand the needs of cycle traffic in relation to the high speed, rural nature of the Strategic Road Network Launch o compliments the Interim Advice Note o assists with the change in mind-set Interactive o encourages use and maintains interest Interim Advice Note (DMRB) E-learning Training Content o highlights key aspects of the Interim Advice Note o embraces up to date design requirements MarComms Strategy Target user o Highways England project managers o supply Chain (designers, contractors) o other stakeholders/local authorities

16 Marketing and Communications Strategy Creation of a bespoke Marketing and Communications Strategy to utilise internal and external communication streams to: o Promote the publication of the Highways England Cycling Strategy o Promote the development and publication of the Interim Advice Note Interim Advice Note (DMRB) E-learning Training o Promote the launch of the E-learning computer training package MarComms Strategy

17 Outcomes The publication of the Cycling Strategy and the Interim Advice Note, the launch of the E-learning computer training and the Marketing and Communications Strategy will see positive outcomes which benefit cyclists, promote cycling on and around the Strategic Road Network and improve safety. Culture: o ensure the supply chain and wider industry is engaged with, and supports, Highways England s vision for cycling Processes: o embed cycling infrastructure into routine scheme design, construction and operations work People: o introduce the change in the mind-set, develop skills, share knowledge and engage with partners People Culture Processes

18 Programme (as of May 2015) Cycling Strategy: o currently in draft aim to publish Summer 2015 MarComms Strategy: o currently in draft aim to publish Summer 2015 Interim Advice Note: o currently in draft aim for final draft Autumn 2015 (publication process may require notification to Europe with a minimum 12 week standstill period) E-learning computer training package: o to be developed through Summer 2015, launch to align with Interim Advice Note

19 HD 42 Update

20 What is HD 42? This document describes the requirements for Non-Motorised User Audit for all trunk road schemes including motorways. It describes the stages at which NMU audits must be carried out and the procedures to be followed, and gives guidance on the issues of possible concern to non-motorised users

21 What is HD 42? Last published in 2005 as part of the DMRB with the objective of encouraging the consideration of non-motorised users on all Highway Schemes including: Pedestrians Equestrians

22 What is HD 42? Cyclists Disabled Persons

23 Basics of the NMU Audit Process Two main types of NMU Audit Reports: o Context Report Carried out as early as possible within a scheme, ideally prior to preliminary design Provides a summary of all available information regarding NMUs Allows the setting of objectives to improve conditions for NMUs prior to starting design Scheme development should not commence until NMU objectives have been accepted by Project Sponsor o Design Stage Audit Report Must be produced at each design stage specified by the Project Sponsor Provides a continual assessment of NMU needs whilst monitoring progression against previously identified objectives Stages of audit normally include preliminary design, detailed design and after construction has been completed

24 Basics of the NMU Audit Process o Should actively involve all members of the design team o Be produced from a mixture of desktop work, site visits and consultation o Are mandatory - This Standard should be used forthwith for the planning and design of all new all-purpose trunk roads and Highway Schemes currently being prepared, provided that in the opinion of the Overseeing Organisation this would not result in unreasonable expense or delay to the progress of the scheme o Be carried out by individuals who have sufficient experience of NMU needs and scheme development to be able to exercise judgment reliably as to the effects of design proposals on NMUs o Not a technical design check

25 Basics of the NMU Audit Process Helps avoid poor planning for NMUs:

26 Why are we updating HD 42? To help achieve wider aspirations for the road network: o Department for Transport Road Investment Strategy 40% Reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on the network Improved design standards with greater consideration of the needs of walkers, cyclists, and local communities o Highways Strategic Business Plan Providing for the needs of cyclists, pedestrians and others who walk or ride on, near or across the network o Highways England Delivery Plan We will upgrade and increase the number of safe crossings on the network in the interests of the safety and convenience of more vulnerable customers o Tie in with other emerging DMRB Documents Cycling IAN HD 19 /15 Road Safety Audit

27 Why are we updating HD 42? To help reduce the level of interpretation of requirements for the following: o What type of schemes the process should be applied to o The differences between Context and Audit Reports o Appropriateness of objectives being set o Site visit, data collection and consultation requirements o Training and experience requirements of NMU Auditors o Relationship with the Road Safety Audit process o Level of consideration required for individual users groups o Size of reports

28 Why are we updating HD 42? Is Non-Motorised User an appropriate term?? Is Audit an appropriate term??

29 How Are We Going About This? Establishment of national Highways England NMU Audit database: o Collating reports from the entire Highways England network into one central location for analysis

30 How Are We Going About This? o Reports will be analysed quarterly to establish: Compliance with RAD Best practice Areas that have been interpreted differently Any recurring issues o Findings will be used to facilitate and inform update to HD 42, and in the long run to feed best practice back into the industry whilst continuing to monitor the performance of the RAD Other areas to be investigated: o Detailed review of the existing RAD o Targeted consultation with wider industry o Further talks with existing NMU Auditors DUE TO BE PUBLISHED LATE 2016

31 Survey A chance for you to input into the update: Please let us know your thoughts!

32 Thank you Any questions