HWA to offer new guide on separated bike lanes The Federal Highway Administration and the UNC Highway Safety Research Center will soon release “Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide.” Separated bike lanes are exclusive facilities for bicyclists located within or directly adjacent to roadways but physically separated from motor vehicle traffic with a vertical element. These facilities, sometimes called “cycle tracks” or “protected bike lanes,” have the potential to improve traffic safety for all street users, can contribute to increased bicycling volumes and mode shares, and may help improve the mobility and health of a community. The guide will provide an overview of planning and design considerations based on a comprehensive review of the state of the practice in the United States. The guide is structured in four primary sections: An introduction to the “what,” “why,” and “how” of separated bike lanes, including definitions, a state of the practice review, potential benefits, and how they contribute to connected bicycle networks. A broad review of separated bike lane planning considerations, including how to select locations, contextual considerations, project coordination and outreach, funding, and project evaluation. A flexible menu of design options that detail, for example, directional and width decisions, forms of separation, midblock conflicts, and intersection design options. A call to action on next steps for separated bike lane development. Additionally, the appendices include detailed reports on the literature review, city interview summaries, and safety analysis, as well as project evaluation and data collection worksheets designed for practitioners. “Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide” was produced for FHWA by a team led by the UNC Highway Safety Research Center in conjunction with Sam Schwartz Engineering and Kittelson & Associates, Inc. The guide will be available for download at: pedbikeinfo.org.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:40:57 +0000