Designing for Nonmotorists

Off-Road Facilities: Shared Use Paths

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 3: Off-Road Facilities

• Shared Use Paths

What is a Shared Use Path?

• The term "shared use path" means a multi-use trail or other path, physically 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, and usable for transportation purposes.

• Shared use paths may be used by pedestrians, bicyclists, skaters, equestrians, and other nonmotorized users.

Left photo: Peter Axelson, Beneficial Designs.
Contractor for FHWA's Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access, Best Practices Design Guide.
Right photo: Town Lake Trail, Austin TX.
Photo by Stuart Macdonald, American Trails.

Sidewalk or Trail?

What is the difference between a sidewalk and a trail? Part function, part location.

• If it acts like a sidewalk, it's a sidewalk.
• If it acts like a trail, it's a trail.
• If it is in between...
  • Facilities on park land parallel to streets.
  • Doesn't matter who maintains (parks or streets department). The function matters.
  • People will always argue fine details...

Provisions

If you build a shared use path...

• Make sure it works for all users.
  • Accommodate pre-existing legal users, including equestrians.
• Ensure Accessibility: to be covered in the Accessible Design course.
• Ensure construction to guidelines: Verify!

Good Examples

Bad Example

What do these curves do?

• Landscape architect vs Engineer?
• Practical vs pretty?
• Transportation vs recreation?
• Opposite side of the road from a high school and other origins or destinations; no crosswalks.
• It may be part of a larger plan.

Photo: Ahsanhka Road (SR 7) in front of Orofino High School in Orofino, Idaho. Photo by Tony Powers, Dokken Engineering.

Shared Use Paths: Guidelines

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities: 1999. The 2010 version is under final review.
Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities: 2004.

More Slides!

CONTINUE TO NEXT SECTION: Surface