Designing for Nonmotorists

Photo from the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse
Mineral Wells to Weatherford Rail-Trail, Mineral Wells, TX.
Opening day and dedication of the Mineral Wells to Weatherford Rail Trail.
(Photo: Texas DOT).

Course Overview

Part 4: Off-Road Facilities

• Recreational Trails
• Motorized Trails

Recreational Trails
Control Water!

• Avoid the Fall Line: Don't let water run down the trail!
• An accessible trail usually is a sustainable trail.
• General: <5% to the extent feasible, but...
• Consider the "half rule":
  • Keep trail slope to less than half of the terrain slope.
  • Keep the running slope under 10% if feasible.
• Rest intervals needed for accessible trails.

Trail Slope: Grade Reversals

Grade reversals stop water flowing down the trail.
Drawing: www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/downhill_tips.html
Photo: Trail Construction & Maintenance Notebook (US Forest Service)
www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications/fs_publications/07232806/page06.cfm#grad

Trail Slope: Rolling Grade Dips

Easy way to get water off an existing trail.

• Place frequently enough to prevent water from building up enough volume and velocity to carry your tread's surface away. www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications/fs_publications/07232806/page06a.cfm#roll

Cross Slope: Control Water!

• Maintain sheet flow across the trail.

* At street crossings without stop control or at midblock.
** If needed for drainage on an unpaved surface.

If your ankles start to roll, the tread has too much outslope.
See www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications/fs_publications/07232806/page08.cfm.

Recreational Trails: Cross Slope

Prefer a "full bench cut" over a "half bench" cut.

• Full bench
  • Holds its shape.
• Half bench
  • Easier to construct.
  • But it slumps over time.

Trail Cross Slope: Sheet Flow

Sheet Flow Example

Trail Cross Slope: Sheet Flow

• Knicks constructed into existing trails will drain puddles from flat areas.
• A semicircle cut into the tread, about 3 m (10 feet) long and outsloped the center.

Please Avoid!

• Don't add barriers to trails.
• Waterbars: To get water off the trail.
  • Very popular. Not very effective.
  • Not accessible. Possibly dangerous.
  • Need ongoing maintenance.
  • If you think you need a waterbar, the trail is in the wrong location.
  • Grade reversals, rolling dips, and knicks function much better.
• Avoid bollards (see Shared Use Path discussion).

Recreational Trails: Crossings

• You are in the public right-of-way.
• See Shared Use Path discussion.

Please Avoid!

• Don't rip up the environment just to make a trail accessible.
  • Avoid zigzagging switchbacks: Use climbing turns.

Scenery

• Use Context Sensitive Solutions thinking.
• A finished trail should look like it belongs there: it should blend into the scenery.
• A trail should offer scenic views.
• Build only the width you need.
• Use natural features.

Drainage, Wetlands

• Keep drainage as natural as possible.
• Avoid wetlands to the extent feasible.
• From Trail Construction and Maintenance Notebook:
• Trails in Wet Areas
• Geosynthetics, Rock Underdrains,
• Turnpikes, Turnpikes Without Ditches,
• Crossing Streams and Rivers
• Shallow Stream Fords
• Culverts, Bridges

See also Wetland Trail Design and Construction.

Wildlife Impact

• Trails can impact wildlife.
• Use caution when locating trails: Avoid sensitive areas.

Wildfire at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge,
along New York State Thruway, I-90 near Seneca Falls NY: April 4, 2010.
Photo Courtesy of Joan Martin, Cortland NY

Maintenance and Operations

• Maintenance prevents worse problems!
• States may use Recreational Trails Program funds for maintenance.
• Inform the public.

Signs

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

• Use it carefully. These trails aren't highways.
• Some sign sizes are excessive.

Support Facilities

Eligible:

• Trailside and trailhead facilities.
• Information kiosks, call boxes.
• Benches, hitching posts.
• Equestrian mounting ramps.
• Rest rooms, water.
• Bike racks.

Support Facilities

• Facilities must meet accessibility guidelines for buildings and sites.

Support Facilities

• Park amenities: visitor centers*, whole park restrooms, picnic pavilions, campgrounds, ball fields, marinas, etc.
• School facilities: running tracks, sports fields, bleachers, parking areas, lighting.

Support Facilities

• Not eligible: Play areas, swimming pools.

Seneca Lake State Park, near Seneca Falls NY, April 4, 2010
Photo Courtesy of Joan Martin, Cortland NY

Questions, Comments, etc.???