TRAILS AS TRANSPORTATION Design Construction Michael J Kubek

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

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

u Determine Logical Termini – Best to develop a master plan

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

– Common termini u Designated bike route

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

Design References

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

Design References u u 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 u www. dot. state. oh. us/Services/Pages/Bike. aspx – ODOT District 12 LPA website, Phase II Design u www. dot. state. oh. us/districts/D 12/Production/LPA/Pages/default. a spx – Local MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization)

Types of Bicycle Facilities Bike Lane u Shared Use Path (aka Bike Path) u – A facility shared by recreational users (i. e. pedestrians, joggers, bicyclists, etc. ) separated from roadway traffic. u 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 u 20 mph u 30 mph (advisable for profile grades > 4%) Typical Section u Width – Path Width = 10’ – Graded Shoulder = 2’ – Bridge or Tunnel Width = 14’ u Cross Slope – Path Slope = 2% pref. , 3% max u No crown is preferred – Graded Shoulder = 12: 1 pref. , 6: 1 max

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

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

Typical Section

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

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

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

Vertical Alignment u Max. Grade Break w/o a vertical curve – Not addressed directly in AASHTO – Use ODOT Location & Design Manual (L&D) Figure 203 -2 u 20 mph = 2. 9% u 30 mph = 1. 30% u Minimum length of vertical curve – Establish Stopping Sight Distance (SSD) for crest curve

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

Vertical Alignment u Maximum length of steep profile grades – AASHTO page 70

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

Vertical Alignment u Maximum grades 5% 6% 7% 8% < < length of steep profile Grade ≤ ≤ 6% 7% 8% 8. 33% up up to to 800 ft 400 ft 300 ft 200 ft * 8. 33% < Grade ≤ 10% up to 30 ft * 10% < Grade ≤ 12. 5% up to 10 ft *

Vertical Alignment u 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 u ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) u Curb Ramps – Provide truncated domes

ADA Compliance u 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 u Use Bicycle safe grates (4” max. grid spacing) u Provide ditch on uphill side of the path u Culvert design per ODOT Location & Design Manual Volume 2, Section 1004. 2 u Ditch flow depth per L&D section 1102. 4 (District 12) – 9” below edge of path, pref. – 0” below edge of path, min. u Do not put the safety of the users at risk!

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

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

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

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

Design Exceptions

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

Design Summary u Planning – Secure Funding – Master Plan – Logical Termini u 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