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Characteristics of Emerging Road and Trail Users and Their Safety

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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 85^th percentile performance values.

Table 23. Design criteria and potential design users.

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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