TRAILS AS TRANSPORTATION Design & Construction

TRAILS AS TRANSPORTATIONDesign & Construction Michael J. Kubek, P.E. Ohio Department of Transportation, District 12 Production Administrator

Before Design • Secure funding source • Determine logical termini • Coordinate with oversight agency

Determine Logical Termini Best to develop a master plan

Before Design • Determine Logical Termini • Federal requirement • Best to develop a master plan • Common termini • Connection to an existing trail • Park facility • Designated bike route

Common termini Designated bike route

Before Design • Remember: Rails to Trails are not always a slam dunk. Consider the following: • Typical section • Drainage issues • Environmental issues • Right of Way • Utilities

TRAILS AS TRANSPORTATION Design

Design References • AASHTO “Guidelines for the Development of Bicycle Facilities,” (1999 or latest edition)

Design References

Design References • FHWA Publication No. FHWA-EP-01-027, “Best Practices Design Guide Part 2, Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access,” (2001)

Design References • AASHTO “Guidelines for the Development of Bicycle Facilities,” (1999 or latest edition) • FHWA Publication No. FHWA-EP-01-027, “Best Practices Design Guide Part 2, Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access,” (2001) • OMUTCD “Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (2005 or latest edition, Chapter 9) • Additional References • ODOT Office of Local Projects web site • www.dot.state.oh.us/Services/Pages/Bike.aspx • ODOT District 12 LPA website, Phase II Design • www.dot.state.oh.us/districts/D12/Production/LPA/Pages/default.aspx • Local MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization)

Types of Bicycle Facilities • Bike Lane • Shared Use Path (aka Bike Path) • A facility shared by recreational users (i.e. pedestrians, joggers, bicyclists, etc.) separated from roadway traffic. • The design standards used for the bicycle facility shall be determined by the use of the facility.

TRAILS AS TRANSPORTATION Shared Use Path Design

Design Speed Typical Section • 20mph • 30mph (advisable for profile grades > 4%) • Width • Path Width = 10’ • Graded Shoulder = 2’ • Bridge or Tunnel Width = 14’ • Cross Slope • Path Slope = 2% pref., 3% max • No crown is preferred • Graded Shoulder = 12:1 pref., 6:1 max

Typical Section • Pavement Composition • Design for expected emergency, law enforcement, & maintenance vehicles • ODOT commercial drive design is recommended

Typical Section • Horizontal Clearance • Obstructions = 3’ desired, 2’ min. • Separation from Roadway = 5’ • Steep Embankment (> 3:1) = 5’ • Vertical Clearance • 10’ desired, 8’ min.

Typical Section

Horizontal Alignment • Max. Grade Break w/o horizontal curve • Not addressed directly in AASHTO • Use taper formula for obstructions on page 67 of the manual

Horizontal Alignment • Minimum Radius of Curvature • AASHTO Table 1, page 38 • 20mph = 100’ • 30mph = 225’

Horizontal Alignment • Minimum Lateral Clearance for Horizontal Curves • AASHTO Table 4, page 45

Horizontal Alignment • The preceding criteria establishes the threshold for safety in design. Remember to include an aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable facility.

Vertical Alignment • Max. Grade Break w/o a vertical curve • Not addressed directly in AASHTO • Use ODOT Location & Design Manual (L&D) Figure 203-2 • 20mph = 2.9% • 30mph = 1.30% • Minimum length of vertical curve • Establish Stopping Sight Distance (SSD) for crest curve

Vertical Alignment • Minimum length of vertical curve • Based on Stopping Sight Distance (SSD) for crest curve • AASHTO manual states 3 feet • ODOT District 12 recommends • 3 * Design Speed (pref.) • 2 * Design Speed (min.)

Vertical Alignment • Maximum length of steep profile grades • AASHTO page 70

Vertical Alignment • Maximum length of steep profile grades • FHWA page 16-5

Vertical Alignment • Maximum length of steep profile grades 5% < Grade ≤ 6% up to 800ft 6% < Grade ≤ 7% up to 400ft 7% < Grade ≤ 8% up to 300ft 8% < Grade ≤ 8.33% up to 200ft * 8.33% < Grade ≤ 10% up to 30ft * 10% < Grade ≤ 12.5% up to 10ft *

Vertical Alignment • Maximum length of steep profile grades • Exception: when the path is adjacent to a roadway, it can follow the roadway profile.

Vertical Alignment

ADA Compliance • ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) • Curb Ramps • Provide truncated domes

ADA Compliance • Accessibility • The trail (shared use path) is considered a “Facility.” • Access to the facility is subject to the ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines)

ADA Compliance

Drainage • Use Bicycle safe grates (4” max. grid spacing) • Provide ditch on uphill side of the path • Culvert design per ODOT Location & Design Manual Volume 2, Section 1004.2 • Ditch flow depth per L&D section 1102.4 (District 12) • 9” below edge of path, pref. • 0” below edge of path, min. • Do not put the safety of the users at risk!

Vehicular Crossings • Pave drives for at least 10’ on each side of the path

Vehicular Crossings • Signing and striping per AASHTO manual and the OMUTCD (Chapter 9 for bicycles)

Vehicular Crossings • Slow down users with geometrics & provide SSD at intersection

Design Exceptions • Prepare in accordance with ODOT L&D, Volume 1, section 105 • Submit with letter of concurrence from the Local Public Agency (owner & maintaining agency) • Design standards that are “advisable” or “recommended” generally do not require a design exception

Design Exceptions

Other Design Considerations • Account for clean up in the bid, especially on urban trails • Design bridges for emergency and maintenance vehicle loading • Construction • Construction equipment loading • Soils investigation • Staging areas • Utilities in Railroad Corridors • Petroleum lines • Fiber Optic

Design Summary • Planning • Secure Funding • Master Plan • Logical Termini • Design • Use Common Sense • Always keep the safety of the user as your number one priority • Design as if your family will be using the facility

TRAILS AS TRANSPORTATION Design & Construction