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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-05-138
Date: July 2006

Shared-Use Path Level of Service Calculator

A User's Guide

PDF Version (1298 KB)

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APPENDIX A. STUDY TRAIL PROFILES

Lake Johnson Trail
Raleigh, NC

Trail Profile

Trail length: 8.8 kilometers (km) (5.5 miles (mi))
Community context: Suburban SE Raleigh, NC
Trail endpoints: Loop in Lake Johnson Park

Trail type: Park loop
Part of a trail system: Part of the Capital Area Greenway
Managing agency: Raleigh Department of Parks and Recreation

Study Location Characteristics

Study location: 0.40 km (0.25 mi) to 1.21 km (0.75 mi)
Landscape setting at study location: Wooded park, lake
Surface material: Asphalt (in poor condition)

Path width: 2.4–2.6 meters (m) (8.0–8.5 feet (ft))
Improved shoulder: No
Centerline: No
Lane striping pattern: None
Other treadways in the corridor: None

Clear zone: 0.3–1.2 m (1.0–4.0 ft)
Landscape adjacent to clear zone: Wooded park, lake
Sight distance Poor
Curves: Medium
Slopes: Low


Sammamish River Trail
Redmond, WA

Trail Profile

Trail length: 16.1 km (10.0 mi)
Community context: Suburban Seattle, WA
Trail endpoints: Blyth Park in Bothell, WA, and Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA

Trail type: Linear riverside greenway
Part of a trail system: Connects directly with the Burke Gilman Trail in Bothell, WA
Managing agency: King County Park and Recreation Division

Study Location Characteristics

Study location: In Sixty Acre Park, about 0.8 km (0.5 m) from NE 116th St. in Redmond, WA
Landscape setting at study location: Linear park, grass, and ballfields, adjacent to Sammamish River
Surface material: Asphalt

Path width: 3.0 m (10.0 ft)
Improved shoulder: No
Centerline: No
Lane striping pattern: None
Other treadways in the corridor: Horse trail

Clear zone: 1.8–3.0 m (6.0–10.0 ft) of short, mowed grass
Landscape adjacent to clear zone: Linear park, grass, and ballfields, adjacent to Sammamish River
Sight distance Good
Curves: Low
Slopes: Low


Mill Valley–Sausalito Pathway
Marin County, CA

Trail Profile

Trail length: 4.8 km (3.0 mi)
Community context: Suburban San Francisco
Trail endpoints: Harbor Drive in Sausalito, CA, and Alto Tunnel in Mill Valley, CA

Trail type: Rail-trail
Part of a trail system: A small component of the Bicentennial Bike Path and San Francisco Bay Trail; connects to popular on-street routes at each end
Managing agency: Marin County Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services

Study Location Characteristics

Study location: At Bothin Marsh, north of the U.S. 101 bridge
Landscape setting at study location: Marsh, adjacent highway, bay
Surface material: Asphalt

Path width: 2.9–3.2 m (9.5–10.5 ft)
Improved shoulder: Yes; 5.0–7.0 ft of gravel
Centerline: No
Lane striping pattern: None
Other treadways in the corridor: None

Clear zone: 1.5–2.1 m (5.0–7.0 ft) gravel
Landscape adjacent to clear zone: Marsh, adjacent highway, bay
Sight distance Unlimited
Curves: Low
Slopes: No


White Rock Lake Trail
Dallas, TX

Trail Profile

Trail length: 15.0 km (9.3 mi)
Community context: Urban NE Dallas, TX
Trail endpoints: Loop in White Rock Lake Park

Trail type: Park loop
Part of a trail system: Connects to the White Creek Trail on
the north lakeside.
Managing agency: Dallas Department of Parks and Recreation

Study Location Characteristics

Study location: Just south of the E. Lawther/Emerald Isle
park access, near Winfrey Point
Landscape setting at study location: Open parkland, lake, park road
Surface material: 3.7 m (12.0 ft) of asphalt with 0.30-m (1.0-ft)
concrete edges

Path width: 4.3 m (14.0 ft)
Improved shoulder: No
Centerline: Yes
Lane striping pattern: Solid striped centerline; two 2.1-m (7.0-ft)
lanes
Other treadways in the corridor: Some bicyclists use park road

Clear zone: 3.0–6.1 m (10.0–20.0 ft) grass, with
some trees
Landscape adjacent to clear zone: Open parkland, lake, park road
Sight distance Unlimited
Curves: Low
Slopes: No


Lakefront Trail
Chicago, IL

Trail Profile

Trail length: 39.4 km (24.5 mi)
Community context: Urban north Chicago, IL
Trail endpoints: Southside Chicago, IL, and Evanston, IL

Trail type: Lakefront beach trail
Part of a trail system: Connects to lakefront trail in Evanston, IL
Managing agency: Chicago Parks District

Study Location Characteristics

Study location: Near trail intersection with North Avenue
Landscape setting at study location: Public park and beach
Surface material: Concrete

Path width: 6.1 m (20.0 ft)
Improved shoulder: No
Centerline: Yes
Lane striping pattern: Solid centerline and lane striping forming two interior 1.8-m (6.0-ft) lanes bounded by two 1.2-m (4.0-ft) lanes
Other treadways in the corridor: None

Clear zone: Unlimited
Landscape adjacent to clear zone: Public park and beach
Sight distance Poor, due to heavy user volumes
Curves: No
Slopes: No


South Bay Trail
Santa Monica, CA

Trail Profile

Trail length: 35.4 km (22.0 mi)
Community context: Suburban W. Los Angeles, CA
Trail endpoints: Santa Monica, CA, and Torrance, CA

Trail type: Oceanfront beach trail
Part of a trail system: Many connections
Managing agency: City of Santa Monica

Study Location Characteristics

Study location: About 1.6 km (1.0 mi) north of the Santa Monica Pier
Landscape setting at study location: Public beach
Surface material: Concrete

Path width: 4.37 m (14.0 ft)
Improved shoulder: No
Centerline: Yes
Lane striping pattern: Dashed centerline
Other treadways in the corridor: None

Clear zone: Unlimited
Landscape adjacent to clear zone: Public beach
Sight distance Unlimited
Curves: Low
Slopes: No


Forest Park Trail
St. Louis, MO

Trail Profile

Trail length: 12.1 km (7.5 mi)
Community context: Urban St. Louis, MO
Trail endpoints: Loop in Forest Park, MO

Trail type: Park loop
Part of a trail system: Connects to many trails within park
Managing agency: St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry

Study Location Characteristics

Study location: On the north edge of the park, along Lindell Blvd., between mileposts 5.25 and 5.75 (8.4 km–9.3 km), close to the History Museum
Landscape setting at study location: Open parkland, adjacent roadway
Surface material: Asphalt

Path width: 3.0 m (10.0 ft)
Improved shoulder: Yes; 1.2 m (4.0 ft) of dirt on one side
Centerline: Yes
Lane striping pattern: Solid centerline
Other treadways in the corridor: 1.2-m (4.0-ft) dirt jogging path on one side

Clear zone: 1.2 m (4.0 ft)
Landscape adjacent to clear zone: Open parkland, adjacent roadway
Sight distance Good
Curves: No
Slopes: No


Honeymoon Island Trail (Dunedin Causeway)
Dunedin, FL

Trail Profile

Trail length: 4.9 km (2.5 mi)
Community context: Suburban Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL
Trail endpoints: Pinellas Trail in Dunedin, FL, and
Honeymoon Island State Park

Trail type: Highway sidepaths, greenway
Part of a trail system: Connects to the Pinellas Trail in Dunedin, FL
Managing agency: Florida Department of Transportation

Study Location Characteristics

Study location: West of the draw bridge
Landscape setting at study location: Marsh, beach, adjacent roadway
Surface material: Asphalt

Path width: 2.2 m (12.0 ft)
Improved shoulder: No
Centerline: No
Lane striping pattern: None
Other treadways in the corridor: None

Clear zone: None on one side, 1.2–1.5 m (4.0–6.0 ft) of
grass on the other side
Landscape adjacent to clear zone: Marsh, beach, guardrail, roadway
Sight distance Unlimited
Curves: Low
Slopes: No


Minuteman Bikeway
Arlington, MA

Trail Profile

Trail length: 16.9 km (10.5 mi)
Community context: Suburban Boston, MA
Trail endpoints: Town of Bedford, MA, and Alewife "T" Station in Cambridge, MA

Trail type: Rail-trail
Part of a trail system: Connects to Alewife Linear Park and other trails
Managing agency: Town of Arlington, MA

Study Location Characteristics

Study location: Mile marker 7.5 (12.1 km) in Arlington, MA, near the Bike Shop
Landscape setting at study location: Wooded railroad corridor
Surface material: Asphalt

Path width: 3.7 m (12.0 ft)
Improved shoulder: No
Centerline: Yes
Lane striping pattern: Dashed centerline; dashes are each 1.8 m (6.0 ft) long and 4.3 m (14.0 ft) apart
Other treadways in the corridor: None

Clear zone: 0.6–1.4 m (2.0–4.0 ft)
Landscape adjacent to clear zone: Wooded railroad corridor
Sight distance Okay
Curves: No
Slopes: No


Charles River Bike Path (Dr. Paul Dudley White Bike Path)
Boston, MA

Trail Profile

Trail length: 29.0 km (18.0 mi)
Community context: Urban Boston, MA
Trail endpoints: O'Brien Bridge in Boston, MA, and Watertown, MA

Trail type: Linear riverside greenway
Part of a trail system: Circles the tidal Charles River on both shorelines from Science Park in Boston to Watertown Square
Managing agency: Metropolitan District Commission

Study Location Characteristics

Study location: South side of the Charles River, east of the Harvard Bridge (Massachusetts Ave.)
Landscape setting at study location: Narrow linear park, river, adjacent highway
Surface material: Asphalt

Path width: 2.4 m (8.0 ft)
Improved shoulder: No
Centerline: Yes
Lane striping pattern: Dashed centerline; dashes are each 1.8 m (6.0 ft) long and 3.7 m (12.0 ft) apart
Other treadways in the corridor: Separate pedestrian paths are present along much of the trail corridor

Clear zone: None
Landscape adjacent to clear zone: Narrow linear park, river, adjacent highway
Sight distance Poor
Curves: Medium
Slopes: No


W&OD Trail
Northern Virginia

Trail Profile

Trail length: 72.4 km (45.0 mi)
Community context: Suburban northern Virginia
Trail endpoints: I-395 at Shirlington in Arlington, VA, and Purcellville, VA

Trail type: Rail-trail
Part of a trail system: Serves as the east-west spine of a system of trails in northern Virginia
Managing agency: Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority

Study Location Characteristics

Study location: Vienna, VA
Landscape setting at study location: Narrow linear park
Surface material: Asphalt

Path width: 3.0 m (10.0 ft)
Improved shoulder: No
Centerline: Yes
Lane striping pattern: Solid
Other treadways in the corridor: None

Clear zone: Unlimited
Landscape adjacent to clear zone: Narrow linear park
Sight distance Excellent
Curves: Gentle
Slopes: None


Capital Crescent Trail
Washington, DC

Trail Profile

Trail length: 14.4 km (12.0 mi)
Community context: Urban Washington, DC
Trail endpoints: Silver Spring, MD and Georgetown in Washington, DC

Trail Type: Rail-trail
Part of a trail system: Connects to the Rock Creek Park Trail and C&O Canal Towpath at the south end
Managing agency: Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the U.S. National Park Service (DC)

Study Location Characteristics

Study location: Between K St. and Fletcher's Boathouse at the southern end of the trail in DC
Landscape setting at study location: Wooded railroad corridor
Surface material: Asphalt

Path width: 3.0 m (10.0 ft)
Improved shoulder: No
Centerline: Yes
Lane striping pattern: Dashed centerline
Other treadways in the corridor: C&O Canal Towpath parallels this section of trail

Clear zone: 0.6–1.2 m (2.0–4.0 ft)
Landscape adjacent to clear zone: Wooded railroad corridor
Sight distance No
Curves: Unlimited
Slopes: No


Grant's Trail
St. Louis County, MO

Trail Profile

Trail length: 10.9 km (8.0 mi)
Community context: Suburban southwest St. Louis, MO
Trail endpoints: I–55 at Hoffmeister in Orlando Gardens, MO, and Highway 44 in Kirkwood, MO

Trail Type: Rail-trail
Part of a trail system: No
Managing agency: St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation

Study Location Characteristics

Study location: Near trail crossing of Union Road
Landscape setting at study location: Wooded railroad corridor, suburban homes
Surface material: Asphalt

Path width: 3.7 m (12.0 ft)
Improved shoulder: No
Centerline: Yes
Lane striping pattern: Solid yellow stripe
Other treadways in the corridor: None

Clear zone: 0.6–1.2 m (2.0–4.0 ft)
Landscape adjacent to clear zone: Wooded railroad corridor, suburban homes
Sight distance Good
Curves: Gentle
Slopes: None


Pinellas Trail
Dunedin, FL

Trail Profile

Trail length: 75.7 km (47.0 mi)
Community context: Suburban Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL
Trail endpoints: Tarpon Springs, FL, and St. Petersburg, FL

Trail type: Rail-trail
Part of a trail system: Serves as the north-south spine for a system of trails and on-street bikeways in Pinellas County, FL
Managing agency: Pinellas County Park Department

Study Location Characteristics

Study location: North of Curlew Road in Dunedin, FL
Landscape setting at study location: Narrow linear park
Surface material: Asphalt

Path width: 4.6 m (15.0 ft)
Improved shoulder: None
Centerline: Yes
Lane striping pattern: Solid white stripe divides bicycle/skate path (3.0 m (10.0 ft)) from pedestrian path (1.5 m (5.0 ft)), which is periodically marked with a white pedestrian symbol
Other treadways in the corridor: Along some segments of the trail, the bicycle and pedestrian paths are separated by a grass buffer

Clear zone: 1.8–3.0 m (6.0–10.0 ft)
Landscape adjacent to clear zone: Narrow Linear Park
Sight distance Unlimited
Curves: None
Slopes: None


White Creek Trail
Dallas, TX

Trail Profile

Trail length: 12.1 km (7.5 mi)
Community context: Suburban northern Dallas, TX
Trail endpoints: Valley View Park (Hilcrest Road) in north Dallas, TX, and White Rock Lake Park in northeast Dallas, TX

Trail Type: Linear streamside greenway
Part of a trail system: Connects to the White Rock Lake Trail on the south end
Managing agency: Dallas Department of Parks and Recreation

Study Location Characteristics

Study location: North of the Fair Oaks Tennis Center, on both sides of the Walnut Hill Lane overpass
Landscape setting at study location: Open parkland, stream
Surface material: Asphalt

Path width: 2.4 m (8.0 ft)
Improved shoulder: No
Centerline: No
Other treadways in the corridor: None

Clear zone: 9.2–22.9 m (30.0–75.0 ft) of grass with sparse tree cover.
Landscape adjacent to clear zone: Open parkland, stream
Sight distance: Unlimited
Curves: None
Slopes: None

 

FHWA-HRT-05-138

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