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Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology
Coordinating, Developing, and Delivering Highway Transportation Innovations

Report
This report is an archived publication and may contain dated technical, contact, and link information
Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-04-103
Date: October 2004

Characteristics of Emerging Road and Trail Users and Their Safety

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RECOMMENDATIONS

The data collected for this study reveals that the appropriate design user for shared use paths may vary with respect to design criteria or a facility design element. Table 23 shows design features, AASHTO design values for bicyclists, potential design users, and 85th percentile performance values.

Table 23. Design criteria and potential design users.

DESIGN FEATURE AASHTO DESIGN VALUE (FOR BICYCLISTS) POTENTIAL DESIGN USER PERFORMANCE VALUE (85TH PERCENTILE)
Sweep width 1.2 m Inline skaters 1.5 m
Horizontal alignment 27 m Recumbent bicyclists 26.8 m
Stopping sight distance (wet pavement) 38.7 m Recumbent bicyclists 32.7 m
Vertical alignment-crest 49.8 m Recumbent bicyclists 46.7 m
Refuge islands 2.5 m Bicyclists with trailers 3.0 m
Signal clearance intervals 7.5 sec for a distance of 24.4 m Kick scooters 10.6 sec for a distance of 24.4 m
Minimum green times 12.8 sec for a distance of 24.4 m Hand cyclists 17.9 sec for a distance of 24.4 m
Pedestrian clearance intervals 20.0 sec for a distance of 24.4 m Manual wheelchairs 15.4 sec for a distance of 24.4 m

1 m = 3.28 ft

It is worth noting that bicyclists (without trailers) do not appear as critical users for any of the design criteria. This is a major finding that may have a significant effect on how shared use paths and other components of the U.S. transportation system are designed, constructed, controlled, and maintained.

The data collected during this project suggest that several actions should be considered:

  • The results of this study should be disseminated to design professionals and shared use path operators for their review and comments.

  • A 1-day presentation should be made to, and discussed with, an expert panel of facility design engineers.

  • A new NHI course should be developed (or the existing courses should be significantly modified).

  • An interim FHWA design guide for shared use paths should be developed.

  • The AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities should be updated to reflect this research's findings on bicycles.

  • An AASHTO document on shared use path design guidelines should be developed. For further details, see the following marketing plan.

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