Rails-with-Trails: Lessons Learned

SECTION V: Design

WARNING SIGNS. The MUTCD also contains a number of warning signs that can be used to indicate the configuration of the upcoming crossing, or to otherwise warn users of special conditions. Warning signs that may be appropriate for RWTs are shown in Figure 5.25 (MUTCD signs: W10-1, W10-2, W10-3, W-10-4, W10-8, W10-8a, R15-1, R15-2, R15-8, and W10-11).

Steel Bridge Riverwalk. Portland, OR	PLEASE WALK BIKE ACROSS TRACKS ATSF Trail, Irvine, CA
Signs at transit stations. Portland, Beaverton, and Gresham, OR
Oregon Department of Transportation	Kennebec River Rail-Trail. Farmingdale, ME

FIGURE 5.26 Sample trespassing and other signs

OTHER SIGNS. The MUTCD applies to all signs that may be considered traffic control devices, whether on roads or on shared use paths. The MUTCD provides specifications on sign shapes, colors, dimensions, legends, borders, and illumination or retroreflectivity. Section 2A.06 notes that "State and local highway agencies may develop special word message signs in situations where roadway conditions make it necessary to provide road users with additional regulatory, warning, or guidance information."

The MUTCD does not apply to signs that are not traffic control devices, such as "No Trespassing" signs and informational kiosks. Many jurisdictions require "No Trespassing" signs to be posted along railroad tracks. Figure 5.26 offers some examples.

Active warning devices at Burlington Waterfront Bikeway track crossing. Burlington, VT

Some railroad companies, trail developers, and State and local governments haved used a number of non-MUTCD-compliant supplemental signs at rail-trail crossings. Some of these have been adopted in State or local roadway and/or trail design guidelines. While these signs may provide information not available on MUTCD-compliant signs, they may increase the trail developer's or community's liability exposure.

The MUTCD recognizes that continuing advances in technology will produce changes that will require updating the Manual, and that unique situations often arise for signs and other traffic control devices that may require changes. Section 1A.10 describes the procedure to request changes or permission to experiment with traffic control signs and devices. Guidelines may be found on the Internet at http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.

PAVEMENT MARKINGS. In the case of paved trails, pavement markings also are required by the MUTCD. At a minimum, they should consist of an "X," the letters "RR," and a stop bar line (see Figure 5.25, on page 75 and Parts 8 and 9 of the MUTCD).

For unpaved trails, consideration should be given to paving the approaches to trail-rail crossings, not only so that appropriate pavement markings can be installed, but also to provide a smooth crossing. If it is not possible to pave the approaches, additional warning devices may be needed.