2018 AASHTO Bike Guide Status Update NCHRP 15 60 Amalia Leighton Cody, PE, AICP & Kenneth Loen, PE Washington APWA October 4, 2018 Who is Toole Design Group? TDG is a full service engineering, planning and urban design firm with over 150 professionals in 14 offices across North America. Seattle, WA Portland, OR Oakland, CA Edmonton, Canada Denver, CO Minneapolis, MN Madison, WI Columbus, OH Boston, MA Baltimore, MD Silver Spring, MD 50 engineering staff 65 planning staff 15 landscape architects 5 research staff Spartanburg, SC Atlanta, GA Orlando, FL 1
Who is Toole Design Group? TDG has worked in over and developed 500 2,000 Communities designs for over Bike Lanes & Trails in the past 8 Years. Who is Toole Design Group? We understand how guidelines allow teams to deliver innovative solutions through our work on national, state and local research and publications AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities NCHRP 803 Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation Along Existing Roads MassDOT Separated Bike Lane Planning & Design Guide FHWA Accessible Shared Streets 2
Review research and practice to address gaps in 2012 Guide Develop a framework for selecting appropriate facility and design features based on context Consider users of all ages and abilities, including children Harmonization with applicable standards and guidelines Revised AASHTO Chapter Outline 1. Introduction 2. Bicycle Operation & Safety 3. Planning 4. Facility Selection 5: Elements of Design 6. Shared Use Paths 7. Separated Bike Lanes 8. Bicycle Boulevards 9. Bike Lanes & Shared Lanes 10. Traffic Signals and Active Warning Devices 11. Roundabouts, Interchanges, and Other Intersections 12. Rural Area Bikeways 13. Structures 14. Wayfinding 15. Maintenance & Operations 16. Parking & End of Trip Facilities 3
Chapter 1 Introduction Design Values Minimum - the use of minimum values should not be considered a default for bicycle facilities Desirable or Preferable - the use of larger values should be used to maximize the safety and comfort benefits for bicyclists 5 Bike Lane 7 Parking Lane 4 Buffer 6 7 Bike Lane Chapter 1 Introduction Design Values Constrained The use of constrained values may degrade safety and reduce comfort for bicyclists, therefore, the use of these values should only be considered as an interim measure for limited distances where bike volumes are low 4
Chapter 1 Introduction Definitions Bikeway A bicycle boulevard or any other facility intended for bicycle travel which designates space for bicyclists distinct from motor vehicle traffic. A bikeway does not include shared lanes, sidewalks, signed routes, or shared lanes with shared lane markings because these treatments do not materially improve operating conditions for bicyclists.. Chapter 1 Relationship to Other Manuals FHWA Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide May 2013 FHWA Achieving Multimodal Networks Applying Design Flexibility & Reducing Conflicts August 2016 FHWA Accessible Shared Streets September 2017 FHWA Measuring Multimodal Network Connectivity February 2018 5
1.5.1 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) MUTCD defines design and application of traffic control devices (TCDs) AASHTO expands upon the application of TCDs This Guide includes TCDs: issued Interim Approval as of August 2018 requiring experimental approval by FHWA (located at the end of their respective section) Designers who wish to experiment with these traffic control devices must request and receive approval from the FHWA using the procedure outlined in Paragraphs 8 through 11 of Section 1A.10 of the MUTCD. Section 2.3 Bicyclist Design User Profile 4 7% Highly confident 5 9% Somewhat confident 51 56% Interested but Concerned lower stress tolerance higher stress tolerance source: Dill, J., McNeil, N. (2012). Four Types of Cyclists? Examining a Typology to Better Understand Bicycling Behavior and Potential. 6
4 7% 51 56% Experienced & Confident Cyclist AASHTO 2012 Interested but Concerned Cyclist AASHTO 2018 Photo Credits: Pasco County Schools Section 2.4 Safety and Performance Characteristics by Age 6 11 MPH 10 15 MPH 10 25+ MPH Children 6.5 11.5 mph Adults: Median Speed: 9.7 mph Design Speed: 15 mph Reaction Time 1.5 seconds (expected stop) 2.5 seconds (unexpected stop) 7
Section 2.5 Design Vehicle and Bicyclist Operating Criteria What is your design vehicle and their operating space? Section 3.8.2 Quality of Service and Bicycle Level of Service Bicycle Level of Service (BLOS) has significant limitations it was developed to analyze a limited set of bicycling conditions within shared lanes, paved shoulders, and bike lanes does not allow evaluation of shared use paths, separated bike lanes, or buffered bike lanes. Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) created to address deficiencies in the Bicycle LOS method. It is a method of classifying road segments and bikeway networks based on how comfortable bicyclists with different levels of confidence would feel using them. 8
Shared Lanes Max volume 3,000 ADT Max speed 25 mph Bike Lanes Max volume 6,000 ADT Max speed 30 mph Separated Bike Lanes More than 6,000 ADT Speed over 30 mph The go-to chapter for critical design elements - Design User - Design Speed - Assignment of Right of Way - Sight Distance - Geometric Design Elements - Intersection Design Objectives - Evaluating Bike/Ped Roadway Crossings - Treatments to Improve Intersection Safety - Signs and Markings - Design Near Rail Lines - Other Design Features 9
Chapter 5 Elements of Design 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Design User 5.3 Design Speed 5.4 Understanding Assignment of Right of Way 5.5 Sight Distance 5.6 Geometric Design Elements 5.7 Characteristics of Intersections 5.8 Intersection Design Objectives 5.9 Evaluating Bicycle and Pedestrian Roadway Crossings 5.10 Geometric Design Treatments to Improve Intersection Safety 5.11 Warning and Regulatory Traffic Control Devices 5.12 Pavement Markings 5.13 Bicycle Travel Near Rail Lines 5.14 Other Design Features 10
Chapter 5.4 Understanding Assignment of Right of Way Mutual Yielding (or stopping) 1) Motorist & Bikes must yield to pedestrians 2) Pedestrians cannot suddenly leave the curb if vehicles too close to stop 3) Motorists must exercise due care to avoid colliding with bikes/peds Chapter 5.6.4.3 Tapers BUT 2:1 (longitudinal:lateral) applicable for specific situation 11
Chapter 5.8 Intersection Design Objectives 1) Minimize Exposure to Conflicts 2) Reduce Speeds at Conflicts 3) Communicate Right of Way Priority 4) Provide Adequate Sight Distance 5) Transitions to Other Facilities 6) Accommodating Persons with Disabilities Chapter 5.9 Evaluating Bicycle & Pedestrian Roadway Crossings Tier 1: Signing & Markings Tier 2: RRFB & Geometric Improvements Tier 3: HAWK, Signal, or Grade Separation 12
Chapter 5.10 Geometric Design Treatments to Improve Safety 5.10.1 Raised Crossing Islands, Median Island, Hardened Centerlines 5.10.2 Curb Extensions 5.10.3 Curb Radius 5.10.4 Mountable Truck Aprons 5.10.5 Raised Crossings 5.10.6 Multiple Threat Crossing Treatments Chapter 5.11 Traffic Control Devices Chapter 5.12 Pavement Markings 13
Chapter 6.3.1 Width and Shy Space 10-feet no longer the default width 14 minimum for Urban trails Use SUPLOS Calculator for width & for guidance when to separate bikes and pedestrians Separation may be appropriate if > 300 total users in peak hour and > 30% pedestrians 15 min for a SUP with a marked 2-way pedestrian space Passing and side-by-side riding Chapter 6.4.1 Restricting Motor Vehicles Bollards are a last resort - Post No Motor Vehicle signs - Use different materials - Use a center island approaches - Use targeted enforcement - Consider flex posts before bollards 14
Chapter 7.9.12 & 7.9.13 Accessible Parking and Loading - Accessible parking should be provided on block perimeter - Best provided at intersections - Midblock requires additional ramps - Loading zones have the same characteristics as accessible parking space, but with different signs Chapter 7.9.14 Transit Stops Review 5/25/2017 design meeting training Basic design principles, but nuanced design Vertical detectable edges preferred, but directional indicators allowed MassDOT outdated 15
Chapter 9.6 Buffered Bike Lanes Establishes a standard for buffered bike lanes Chapter 10 Traffic Signals and Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons 10.2 Design Guidance for Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs) 10.3 Design Guidance for Traffic Signal Control 10.4 Traffic Signal Phasing for Managing or Reducing Conflicts 10.5 Traffic Signal Timing for Bicyclists 10.6 Bicycle Signal Design Considerations for Bicyclists 10.7 Detection for Bicycles 16
Chapter 12 Rural Area Bikeways and Roadways (draft) 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Safety Context of Rural Roads 12.3 Design User Profiles 12.4 Rural Bikeway Treatments 12.5 Pavement Surface Quality on Rural Roadways 12.6 Shared Use Paths and Sidepaths 12.7 Design Considerations for Bridges, Viaducts, and Tunnels in Rural Areas 12.8 Bicycle Travel Along Interstates, Freeways, and Limited-Access Highways 12.9 Roundabouts 12.10 Wayfinding Section 12.3 - Design User Profiles (draft) Design User: Between Towns & Villages Highly Confident In Towns & Villages Interested but Concerned 17
Section 12.4.2 Signs for Shared Roadways Section 12.4.3 Paved Shoulders Draft content: paved shoulders beneficial on roads with: traffic volumes that > 3,000 vehicles/day motor vehicle speeds > 50 mph inadequate sight distances for the typical operating speed grades in excess of 5 % heavy vehicles > 10% Section 12.4.4 - Advisory Shoulders - draft (Experimental) Draft Figures from the Guide 18
Section 12.4.4 Advisory Shoulders - draft (Experimental) Advisory shoulders may be considered in all contexts on roads with: Low operating speeds < 25 mph preferable < 35 mph desirable Low to moderate motor vehicle volumes < 3,000 vehicles/day preferable < 6,000 vehicles/day maximum Infrequent heavy vehicles Adequate passing sight distance for motorists Regular bicycle traffic Draft Figure from the Guide Section 12.6 Rural Shared Use Paths and Side Paths (draft) Shared use paths in rural areas can: enhance connectivity for the Interested but Concerned user expand rural recreational bicycling opportunities add economic value to rural communities by attracting touring bicyclists Connect neighborhoods, town centers, and schools in rural towns 19