"trail crossing design 101"
DESCRIPTION
Presented by Christy Staudt (Traffic Planning & Design) at the D&L Trail Alliance's "Safe Trail Crossings for Eastern Pennsylvania" workshop, October 2, 2013.TRANSCRIPT
D & L Trail Crossing Workshop
October 2, 2013
Trail Crossing Design: 101
Today’s Objectives
Construct Safe Crossing
Permitting Process
Ownership, Maintenance and Liability
Factors
Good Design
Why Good Design Matters
Remember:
Each Situation is Unique
Engineering Judgment is Needed
Document Your Design Decisions
Key Design Resources AASHTO “Guide for the Design of Bicycle Facilities” 2012 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) 2009 AASHTO Green Book 2011 FHWA 2001 Study on Crosswalk Markings PennDOT Publication 46 Pennsylvania Vehicle Code
Design Guidance
Covered in Detail in New AASHTO Bike Guide Significant Expansion on Shared Use Path Design
Crossing Types
Crosswalk Context
Determining Control at Mid-block Crossings
Crossing Treatments
Sidepath Crossings
Restricting Motor Vehicle Access PBIC Webinar Archives:
http://www.walkinginfo.org/training/pbic/AASHTO_webinars.cfm
Types of Crossings
Mid-block Intersection Uncontrolled Approaches Controlled (Yield, Stop or Signal)
Figure 5-13. Mid-Block and Sidepath Crossings Relative to Intersection Functional Area
Key’s to a Good Design
PennDOT Permitting, Maintenance and Liability
Municipal Coordination
Adequate Warning Plan
Right-of-Way Assignment
Ensure Sufficient Sight Distance
Context Considerations (Speeds/Volume/Driver-Trail User Expectations)
Early Planning Considerations
Thinking Ahead: Alignment Challenges
Sight Distance Crossing Alignment Offset Intersections
Early Planning Considerations
Nor-Bath Trail at Savage Road
Allen Township (outside Borough of
Northampton).
Aligned Trail Approach:
- Slows trail users - Improves Sight
Lines Crosswalk
Alignment Challenges
Highway Context Considerations
Document Highway Conditions
Sight Distance Volumes Speed (posted and 85th percentiles speeds) Approach Grades Competing Signs Nearby Driveways Other Driver Distractions (Negotiating
complex intersections etc) Roadway Deficiencies on Approaches Road Use Expectancy of Crossing
Trail Context Considerations
Approach Sight Triangles Trail Volume Regional Trail User Profile Speed (design)
Approach Grades Consider Design Modifications
(add curve to alignment) Trail User Expectancy of Road
Crossing
Document Trail Conditions:
Sight Distance Basics
Minimum Safe Stopping Sight Distance Crossing Sight Distance Yield Sight Distance
Ensure Sufficient Sight Distance
AASHTO Stopping Sight Distance
Drivers Eye Height - 3.5’ Object Height - 3.5’ (PennDOT Publication 46, Section 11.9.6. Sight Distance) Speed (85th Percentile Speeds) Friction Factor and Reaction Times Continuous – Uninterrupted (consider season)
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/pedbike/05085/images/les8fig9.gif
AASHTO Green Book: Stopping Sight Distance
D & L Trail Middleburg Road
Crossing Sight Distance
Shared Use Path Crossing Agreement
10) CROSSING SIGHT DISTANCES – Sight distance shall be measured as follows:
d = 1.47V(tg)
d = crossing sight distance required along the highway
V = design speed (mi/hr) of the highway to be crossed
tg = time required for pedestrians to cross the highway (not including shoulder)
(include 2 seconds for perception-reaction time + crossing time at 3.5 feet per
second)
Yield Control - Sight Distance Calculation
Objective: Provide unobstructed view to allow user to slow or stop to avoid conflict
Based on adult bicyclist: fastest path user Design speed of road for motorists
Old Guide – 20 mph standards
New Guide – Not “One Speed Fits All”
Consider User Profile, Grades and Surface Considerations Typical 85th percentile is > 14 mph 18 mph on a flat approach Up to 30 mph on downhill
Yield Control – Trail Design Speeds
Yield Control
– AASHTO Sight Distance Equations-
Clear sight triangle – 15 feet 2.5 second reaction time for a pedestrian moving at 6 feet
per second
Don’t Forget the Sidewalk Conflicts
Determining Intersection Control
Principle of Mutual Yielding Intersection Control Considerations Intersection Control - AASHTO Diagrams
Right-of-Way Assignment
Principles of Mutual Yielding
Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Section 3542 (a) General rule – When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation,
the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
(b) Exercise of care by a pedestrian.- No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute a hazard.
Principles of Mutual Yielding
• Works well with pedestrians • Does not work well with bicyclists –
AASHTO Bike Guide addresses this issues:
Intersection Control Considerations
AASHTO: Choose Least Restrictive Control that is Effective
Consider Roadway Classification, Volumes and Speeds
Consider Trail Volume and Regional Function Example:
Local low volume street intersection with a regional trail or high volume trail
Trail Stop Controlled
Trail Yield Controlled
Roadway Stop Controlled
Intersection Yield Controlled
Warn the Roadway User
MUTCD – Standard to Use (PennDOT Publication 236, Based on 2009 MUTCD)
AASHTO Bike Guide Provides Examples & Guidance
Engineering Judgment is Key Document Design Factors
Roadway and Trail User Volumes, Speeds, Approach Geometry etc.
Adequate Warning Plan
Warn the Trail User
2009 MUTCD Part 9: Traffic Control for Bicycle Facilities
2012 AASHTO Bike Guide: Examples and Guidance
Adequate Warning Plan
Crosswalks: To Mark or Not to Mark?
Adequate Warning Plan
Pennsylvania Vehicle Code MUTCD FHWA Study Pedestrian Safety Countermeasures
Mid-Block vs. Intersection Crosswalks
PA Vehicle Code Title 75: Section 102 Definitions
“Crosswalk"
(1) That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of
the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway, measured
from the curbs or, in the absence of curbs, from the edge of the traversable
roadway; and, in absense of a sidewalk on one side of the roadway, that part
of a roadway included within the extension of the lateral lines of the existing
sidewalk.
(2) Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated
for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.
Crosswalks Legally Establish the Crosswalk at “Non-Intersection” Locations
Must Meet Criteria from PennDOT Publication 46
PA Vehicle Code Title 75: Section 102 Definitions
Intersection. “…….the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways
joining at any other angle may come in conflict.”
Vehicle “Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be
transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices used exclusively upon rails or
tracks. The term does not include a self-propelled wheelchair or an electrical mobility
device operated by and designed for the exclusive use of a person with a mobility-
related disability.”
An intersection is a crossing between vehicles
A bicycle is a vehicle
Therefore:
Shared use crossings are intersections (not mid-block crossings)
Crosswalks pavement marking can be installed without violating
mid-block policy
Per Correspondence with PennDOT (BHSTE) Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering
Mid-Block vs. Intersection Crosswalks
2009 MUTCD Section 3B.18: Crosswalk Markings
Provide guidance for pedestrians who are crossing roadways.
Help to alert the road users of a designated pedestrian crossing point.
Legally establish the crosswalk, at non-intersection locations.
Engineering study should be performed before a marked crosswalk is installed at a location away form a traffic control signal or an approach controlled by a STOP or YIELD sign.
Why Do an Engineering Study
What Looks Like This to a Trail User:
May Look Like This to a Driver:
FHWA 2001 Study: Safety Effects of Marked Versus Unmarked
Crosswalks at Uncontrolled Locations
2009 MUTCD
More than a marked crosswalk is needed if:
Speed limit exceeds 40 mph Roadway has 4 or more lanes of travel
AND
ADT 12,000 (without raised median island) or
ADT 15,000 (with raised median island)
Counter Measure Resources
Use High Visibility Markings
Supplemental and Advanced Warning Signs
Increase Awareness for Drivers
In-street and Overhead Signing
Curb Extensions at Crossings
Reduce the crossing distance
Allows Pedestrian to Navigate in Two Stages
Wide Roadways with High Speeds and Traffic Volumes
Reduces Pedestrian Exposure to Traffic
Crash Reduction
Design should Consider a Design that Allows Pedestrians to Face Traffic Approaching
Minimum Width 6’ for Cyclists (10’ Preferred)
Pedestrian Refuge Island
Creative Approach in Carlisle
Advance Yield Lines/Signage
•1
Two Lanes in Same Direction Multiple Threat Solutions
Flashers and Signals
Traditional Warning Beacon/Flasher
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon aka HAWK (not approved in PA)
Pedestrian Signal
What is the Difference?
Flashing Warning Light Solutions
All require flashing signal permits from the Traffic Unit !
Provisional Approval
Standard
PennDOT
approval
Not as noticeable
during daylight
hours Rectangular rapid
flashing beacon
Advanced Warning - Sight Distance
Traditional (Wig-Wag) Warning Beacon
Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon (RRFB)
Saucon Trail – Spring Valley Road (SR 2034)
Figure 3.9: Pre- and post-RRFB installation yield rates at three intersections
December 2011 FHWA and Oregon DOT Report:
“Assessment of Driver Yield Rates Pre- and Post-RRFB Installation, Bend, Oregon”
RRFB Passive Detection – In Action
Signalized Intersections
Adequate Warning Plan
MUTCD specifies requirements Pedestrian Push Buttons Hand/Man and Count Down Signal
Equipment Audible Push Buttons Detection Options (trail users) Phasing Adjustments or Turn Restrictions
(minimize conflicts) Directional Signage ADA Ramps
Other Signalized Intersection Considerations
Other Design/Safety Features
Motor Vehicle Restriction - Bollards Lighting Accessibility Considerations at Crossings
Adequate Warning Plan
Bollards Can Ruin a Good Ride
Bollards are discouraged in AASHTO Bike Guide Sight distance issues - Rider in
front can block view for those behind)
Cause frequent injuries Rider uneasiness Slow emergency responders Vehicles often find ways
around There are alternatives to
motor vehicle restriction
Alternative Treatments of Combination
Motor Restriction Signage Flexible Delineators Split Entrance with Low Landscaping Staggered Swing Gates Not Mentioned in AASHTO Bike Guide
Reserve Bollards for Locations with Known Enforcement Issues
Photo by Steven Pohowsky
Bollards Continued…
If utilized, following principles should be applied. Use of one bollard in the center is preferred Use and odd number of bollards Ensure ADA access – 36” width minimum Minimum height of 40 inches Set back min of 30’ from road Lockable/removable/reclining bollards Ensure Visibility - Bright Retroreflective Materials Ensure Adequate Sight Distance Consider Striping Around Approach
Lighting Recommended at roadway intersections where path connects to
sidewalks (night time use is likely) Tunnels and underpasses Where nighttime riding is permitted:
Recommended at path-roadway intersections Recommended at locations where personal security is an issue
Additional lighting guidance is included in AASHTO guide
Proposed Accessibility Guidelines – Shared Use Paths –
Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR)
Trail - A pedestrian route developed primarily for outdoor recreational purposes vs. Shared Use Path - A shared use path is a multi-use path designed for both transportation and recreation purposes. Shared use paths typically are 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. Distinguishing Characteristics - “transportation” purpose and “multi-use” Shared use paths are designed primarily for bicycles and pedestrians.
Proposed Rule
Ramp/DWS Width – If provided, should be as wide as the shared use path (minimum 5’) Detectable Warning Surfaces - Where a shared use path connects to or crosses a roadway or railway crossing. No proposed requirement for DWS for shared use path or pedestrian intersections
Local Roads
MUTCD and AASHTO Must Still be Followed
(Signage, Markings, ADA Features, Directional Signage, ETC.)
Agreements / Review Process will Vary By Municipality
May Pay Review Fees - Even for a S.R. Crossing
Tips for Success
Meet EARLY with the Municipal Staff
Explain Benefits of the Trail
Address Local Concerns in Design
Be Creative – If Known Opposition Exists, Find Local Champion
Steve will Cover PennDOT Related Topics
Liability and Maintenance Agreements- Common Sticking Point for Crossings
Municipal Coordination
PennDOT Permitting, Maintenance and Liability Concerns
Steve?