Search results matching tag 'crossings'

Compton Creek Trails Community Assessment

steve@railstotrails.org — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:52:07 GMT

As a part of our Urban Pathways Initiative work in Compton, RTC completed an assessment to determine the existing conditions and recommend improvements to ensure maximum use of the
Trail by a diverse group of users. Recommendations in the “Action Plan” are based on RTC’s 25
years of trail development experience, current research on trails and physical health, and input
from community organizations and key stakeholders. If implemented together with the Garden
Park Master Plan, these recommendations will increase local trail awareness and involvement in
using and caring for the Trail. Physical activity levels among residents should substantially increase
as more community members become aware of the Trail’s location and incorporate the Trail into
their daily commute, use it to access community amenities and enjoy it as a venue for recreation.

Across the Arterial: Mid-block Shared-Use Path Crossings of Multilane Roadways in California

StephenMRTC — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:32:52 GMT

Successful shared-use paths offer a continuous and extended recreation and transportation experience. Avoiding vehicular conflict is a major challenge in urban environments where shared-use paths intersect the roadway network on a regular basis. Many urban shared-use paths follow former rail lines or channelized watercourses that intersect multilane roads well away from signalized intersections, and that often intersect at skewed angles that impact visibility. Geometric constraints, financial resources and incompatible adjacent land uses can require trail planners to contemplate and implement at-grade crossings.

This brief overview of treatments is intended as an introduction for both planners and community members.

Despite the challenges, the studied crossings offer numerous measures that can increase the safety of these at–grade crossings and make crossing major roadways easier for trail users. The improvements fall into the following functional categories, which will be expanded on and are best used together for a comprehensive solution:

Reduce rail users’ exposure to traffic and crossing distance.
Increase mutual awareness and visibility.
Manage traffic speed and flow.

This study was funded by the Healthy Transportation Network (HTN), a project of the California Active Communities (CAC) within the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The HTN is a statewide project funded by the Caltrans Statewide Transportation Enhancements Activities Program, and is a collaboration of the following five organizations:California Bicycle Coalition; California Department of Public Health, California Active Communities; California WALKS; Local Government Commission; and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Western Regional Office.

Best Practices in Traffic Operations and Safety: Phase II: Zig-zag Pavement Markings

StephenMRTC — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:07:51 GMT

Lance E. Dougald, Research Scientist

Virginia Transportation Research Council (a partnership of the Virginia Department of Transportation and the University of Virginia since 1948)

In Cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration

Charlottesville, Virginia
December 2010

"The Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail is a 45-mile multiuse trail that spans the Virginia counties of Fairfax and Loudoun. The more than 70 highway crossings of the trail create a significant potential for serious crashes between vehicles and bicyclists/pedestrians. In an attempt to increase safety at two of the crossings, VDOT installed zig-zag pavement markings in Loudoun County where the trail crosses Belmont Ridge Road and Sterling Boulevard.

"This study assessed the effectiveness of the zig-zag pavement markings. Effectiveness was defined as: (1) an increase in motorist awareness in advance of the crossing locations; (2) a positive change in motorist attitudes; and (3) motorist understanding of the markings. Motorist awareness was assessed by before and after speed studies. Motorist attitudinal changes were assessed through a survey targeting motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists familiar with the markings. The survey was distributed via links posted on the Loudoun County government office website and electronic newsletters distributed by the Broad Run and Sterling District supervisors’ offices (respective districts for Belmont Ridge Road and Sterling Boulevard). Links were also distributed to bicycle clubs operating throughout the Northern Virginia area. Motorist understanding was assessed through a hand-out survey in a different region of the state that targeted motorists unfamiliar with the zig-zag marking installation in Loudoun County.

"The study found that the markings installed in advance of the two crossings heightened the awareness of approaching motorists. This was evidenced by reduced mean vehicle speeds within the marking zones. Further, the majority of survey respondents indicated an increase in awareness, a change in driving behavior, and a higher tendency to yield than before, and the markings had a sustained positive effect on speed reduction. The study also found that motorists have limited understanding regarding the purpose of the markings, and users of the W&OD Trail and motorists are confused regarding who has the right of way at the crossings.

"The study recommends that (1) VDOT’s Northern Region Traffic Engineering Division lead an effort to recommend to the Federal Highway Administration that zig-zag pavement markings be included in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices; (2) the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopt as guidance the zig-zag pavement marking design parameters presented in this study; (3) VDOT continue to re-mark and maintain the zig-zag pavement markings at both test locations; (4) VDOT monitor and collect data on crashes at both locations for a 3-year period; and (5) a review of the Code of Virginia be undertaken with respect to those sections of the Code having to do with trail users on multiuse pathways and their obligation to comply with non-signalized traffic control devices.

"When the costs of installing zig-zag pavement markings are compared to those of other safety countermeasures and the same effectiveness with respect to crash avoidance is assumed, the benefits of the zig-zag pavement markings far exceed those of a “do nothing” approach and those of the other countermeasures. For example, if two evident injury crashes were avoided over a 5-year period, the monetary benefits associated with the installation of zig-zag pavement markings would be approximately $91,000 compared to approximately $58,000 for advance flashing beacons; overhead flashing beacons would have a monetary disbenefit (cost) of approximately $7,000."

Ludlam Trail: Design Guidelines and Standards

StephenMRTC — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:13:29 GMT

The purpose of the Ludlam Trail Design Guidelines and Standards is to provide specific guidance for the design and development of the Ludlam Trail and provide general guidelines and standards for urban trails and paths throughout Miami-Dade County by building upon the Miami-Dade County Parks and Open Space System Master Plan and its Great Greenways, Trails and Water Trails vision.

These guidelines and standards were developed to work in concert with other regional and specific studies and planning efforts. In addition, these guidelines and standards intend to inform decision makers on future designs of urban trails and paths within Miami-Dade County. Eight study areas were identified along the Ludlam Trail corridor based on a number of opportunities, and a desire to highlight representative areas which demonstrate unique and common issues designers will face while planning the Ludlam Trail. Each study area was selected for a combination of existing conditions at Ludlam corridor or on other trail corridors through Miami-Dade County. Each study area was observed in detail, researched and analyzed for best practices principles, lessons learned and recommendations.

The needs of a wide variety of users were identified and consolidated into a set of recommendations and standards for the Ludlam Trail and urban trails in general. The end product is a detailed graphical plan, section, and illustrative perspective for each detail study area that provides provide decision-makers, engineers and designers with design guidelines for Ludlam Trail that can be used as a general resource on other paths throughout Miami-Dade County.

May 2010.

Prepared by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, AECOM and Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department.

Trail Patrol: A Proactive Approach to Public Safety on Trails

StephenMRTC — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:16:55 GMT

This article by Danny McCullough of the Three Rivers Park District Police appeared in IPMBA News, Vol. 19, No 3 (Summer 2010), published by the International Police Mountain Bike Association. It also appeared in the Spring 2010 issue of Minnesota Police Chief magazine.

Three Rivers Park Police in Minnesota have played an active role in developing safety protocols relating to trail safety, including trail educational efforts and enforcement in the greater Minneapolis metropolitan area. A number of staff have presented regionally on this issue and/or serve on committees at the state level to address trail safety.

Policy and Standards for Pedestrian Crossings - City of Columbia, Missouri

StephenMRTC — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:07:44 GMT

City of Columbia, Missouri
Department of Public Works
Policy Resolution 134-00
October 30, 2000

It shall be the mission of the Public Works Department to provide for pedestrian crossings of public streets in such manner to increase the safety of pedestrian users and encourage pedestrian traffic in accordance with the concepts of a walkable community.

An Evaluation of High-Visibility Crosswalk Treatment - Clearwater, Florida

StephenMRTC — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:00:47 GMT

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Research, Development, and Technology
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
August 2001

The overall objective was to evaluate the effect of a novel illuminated overhead crosswalk sign and high-visibility ladder style crosswalk markings on driver and pedestrian behavior at nonsignalized intersections in Clearwater, Florida. One aspect of the field data collection effort was to determine if pedestrians were more likely to cross where there was an illuminated overhead crosswalk sign and ladder crosswalk markings. A second aspect of the study was to determine if drivers would yield more often to pedestrians using this novel pedestrian facility. A third aspect of the study was to determine if pedestrians use more, less, or the same amount of caution as well as whether they cross more aggressively, forcing drivers to yield. Nighttime observation sessions were conducted in order to better evaluate the effectiveness of the illuminated overhead crosswalk sign.

Guidance for Installation of Pedestrian Crosswalks on Minnesota State Highways

StephenMRTC — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:56:45 GMT

Minnesota Department of Transportation
Metro Traffic Engineering
October, 2005

The objective of this guidance document is to establish a step-by-step procedure to evaluate the use of various pedestrian crossing treatments. This guidance is expected to produce a crosswalk program that meets both motorist and pedestrian expectations. Recent pedestrian research studies, existing crosswalk guidelines used by other governmental agencies, manuals on traffic control devices, and state statute were reviewed in order to establish this guidance document.

Webinar: Selection of Pedestrian Treatments at Unsignalized Crossings

StephenMRTC — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:04:17 GMT

Presented by Charlie Zegeer, Director, PBIC, and Associate Director of Engineering and Planning, UNC Highway Safety Research Center. Hosted by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center.

This Livable Communities Webinar focuses on the various treatment options to improve pedestrian safety at unsignalized intersections and midblock locations. Charlie Zegeer provides guidance for making decisions in selecting such treatments as marked crosswalks, signing, raised median islands, road diets (lane reductions), rapid-flash beacons, HAWK signals, the addition of traditional traffic and pedestrian signals, and other measures.

Lebanon Valley Rail Trail Development Summary (2000 to 2010)

StephenMRTC — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:33:58 GMT

This sheet includes construction date, length, cost, funding, width, surface material, bridge, trailhead and at-grade crossing information for all phases of the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.