160 likes | 267 Views
Pro-Walk/Pro-Bike Conference, Victoria, British Columbia September 7-10, 2004 Presenter: John van der Mark P.Eng, Vandermark Consulting Founding Member Velo Ontario. Balancing Liability Risks and Costs in Parallel Path/Road Intersection Designs. One-way Path - London, Ontario .
E N D
Pro-Walk/Pro-Bike Conference, Victoria, British Columbia September 7-10, 2004 Presenter: John van der Mark P.Eng, Vandermark Consulting Founding Member Velo Ontario Balancing Liability Risks and Costs in Parallel Path/Road Intersection Designs
Outline: • Problem situations • Research findings • Legislation in Ontario • Counter-measures • Innovative examples
“Within the design process there will be competing alternatives that must be thoughtfully considered to arrive at the best solution; this is the design challenge. The choice between improved safety and higher cost or reduced safety and lower cost is not only technical but also requires policy decisions”. • (TAC Geometric Design Guide 1999)
Designers and owners should provide acceptable levels of safety for the users of multi-use paths and the overall road network, accounting for a government’s policy decision to promote cycling and walking. • (“Duty of Care” - Path Design)
Motor vehicle / Bicycle Collisions • Highest number reported at intersections • Bicycling on sidewalk/crosswalk is hazardous • Paths increase the risk at intersecting roads • Most common: motor vehicles turning right colliding with cyclists going straight
Ontario Legislation • Highway Traffic Act (HTA) • Municipal Act • Occupiers Liability Act
Counter-Measures • Is the path warranted? • Can the path/road intersection be avoided? • Explore design improvements • Consider traffic signal management
Conclusions • Current land use planning is inadequate • Poor bikeway designs lead to collisions and lawsuits • Balance cycling safety with cycling promotion • Designers have a duty of care • Explore innovative designs
Credits • Eglinton Avenue West Path Functional Design for City of Toronto • Consultant: du Toit Allsop Hillier – McCormick Rankin