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

Shared Use Paths: Protruding Objects

• Avoid protruding objects in the treadway:
  • Poles, wires, signs, other objects.
  • Tree branches, hanging vines.
  • Mark unavoidable objects with retroreflective markings.
  • Covered in Accessible Design Course.

Shared Use Path Crossings

• Use Public Rights-of-Way Guidelines.
• Treat as an intersection.
• Who gets the right of way? Where is the volume?
• Include detectable warnings.

Drawing: From FHWA's Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access, Best Practices Design Guide.
Photo: High Line Canal Trail, Cherry Hills Village, CO. Photo by Stuart Macdonald, American Trails.

Trails in Freeway Rights-of-Way

QUESTION: Can trails be built along an Interstate or other freeway right-of-way?

ANSWER:

• Yes! There are examples.
• Ensure barrier separation between the trail and freeway lanes.
• www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/guidance/freeways.cfm

Left photo: Joseph J Kracum, Kracum Resources LLC. Published in FHWA's Public Roads Magazine, March/April 2004.
Right photo: Red Creek Bridge over I-75, near MI-134 (Upper Peninsula). From Coalition for Recreational Trails, Recreational Trails Program Annual Achievement Awards.

Shared Use Paths Near Railroads

Photo: NTEC Image Library.
Santa Fe Rail-Trail, Santa Fe NM.

QUESTION: Can Shared Use Paths (or other trails) coexist with railroads?

ANSWER:

• It depends.
  • Right-of-way.
  • Safety
  • Security
  • No trespassing!

Shared Use Paths Near Railroads

Photo: NTEC Image Library.
Orleans Parish Levee Bikeway, New Orleans LA.

• Many factors to consider.
• See FHWA/FRA Rails-with-Trails: Lessons Learned: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications/rwt/
• Trail may reduce trespassing on railroad property.
• Trail is easier to use than walking on tracks.
• Use a barrier:
  • Fence or vegetation.
  • Ditch.
  • Vertical grade.

Rails-to-Trails

• Good examples of shared use paths.
• Low grade, good sight lines, wide, stable base.
• It could handle trains, it can handle bicyclists and pedestrians!
• Access points must be accessible.
• Pay attention to property rights issues.

NTEC Image Library.
Silver Comet Trail, Georgia.

Environmental Impacts

Shared use paths may qualify for Categorical Exclusions, but they can impact:

• Drainage patterns and wetlands.
• Wildlife: threatened and endangered species.
• Historic, cultural, archaeological resources.
• Privacy perceptions for adjacent properties.
• Light pollution.

Bridges: Essential Links

Bridges are needed for any transportation network.

• Union Street Railroad Bridge, Salem OR.
• A half-mile span over the Willamette River.
• The project improved bicycle and pedestrian safety and access, and provided a critical link in local, regional, and State transportation and trail networks.

Bridges: Essential Links

Be creative.

Rail Bridge to Trail Bridge

Walkway Over the Hudson Poughkeepsie - Highland NY

You might want to make sure this can hold tractor trailers!
Photo source: Stuart Macdonald, See more photos at: American Trails

Design for the tallest likely user:

• Maintenance vehicles
• Equestrians
• Snow level

Think about maintenance.

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

Support Facilities

Trailside and Trailhead Facilities

• Rest rooms, water.
• Benches along trails, hitching posts, bike racks.
• Buildings and built site facilities must meet accessibility guidelines for built facilities.
• Not our job: Park amenities: picnic pavilions, campgrounds, ball fields, boat launches, etc.
• Not our job: school running tracks, lighting.

Motorized Use on Shared Use Paths

• Generally prohibited. Exceptions:
  • Motorized wheelchairs
  • Snowmobiles or electric bicycles at State or local option
• See Framework for Considering Motorized Use on Nonmotorized Trails and Pedestrian Walkways
• www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/guidance/design_guidance/framework.cfm
• Electric vehicles: currently not allowed (except electric bicycles at State or local option).

Questions, Comments, etc.???