NCHRP 20-07/Task 299 Resolution of Comments on the Draft AASHTO Bike Guide

1. NCHRP 20-07/Task 299Resolution of Comments on the Draft AASHTO Bike Guide

2. MRIGlobal Team Members • Darren Torbic (PI) • Principal Traffic Engineer • Doug Harwood • Director of Transportation Research Center • Dale Basham • Senior Technical Writer

3. Objective • Review and propose resolutions to the comments submitted by the AASHTO committee members on the draft update to the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities • Approximately 1,060 comments to be addressed

4. Tasks • Team reviewed comments from AASHTO Committee on Draft Bike Guide • Kickoff meeting held to reach consensus on scope and research approach • Team identified “Critical Issues for Resolution” • List submitted to panel with proposed resolutions • Held multiple conference calls with panel to reach consensus

5. Tasks (cont) • Team proposed resolution to all comments • Updated Draft Bike Guide with proposed resolutions shown in “Track Changes” • Provided responses to individual comments • Held conference calls with panel to discuss revised document • Focused on about 20 critical issues • Panel submitted minor issues to team in writing

6. Tasks (cont) • Team to submit final electronic version of document to NCHRP • Document will be close to publishable version • Outstanding issues: • NCHRP/AASHTO to address updates to key figures • Format of document

7. Progress to Date • Final conference call with panel recently held • Team currently working on about 20-50 outstanding comments • Team to submit final electronic document to NCHRP by June 30th

8. Critical Issues • Ch. 3 Bicycle Operation and Safety • Speed of adult bicyclists on level terrain • Comments: Some reviewers indicated speeds too low • Proposed Resolution: In absence of data sources to support change, text should remain the same • Ch. 4 Design of On-Road Facilities • Height of railings/fences/barriers on bridges • Comments: Guide should set min. height to 48 in • Proposed Resolution: Make sure 42 in is referred to as a minimum height

9. Critical Issues • Ch. 4 Design of On-Road Facilities • Sidewalks (Ch. 4 & 5) • Comments: Add general statement to indicate undesirability of sidewalks as bicycle facilities • Proposed Resolution: Text modified as such. Text also allows option to direct bicyclists onto sidewalk • Sidewalks use and bike ramps to sidewalks at roundabouts • Comments: Several comments ask whether sidewalk riding at roundabouts is desirable • Proposed Resolution: Bike Guide should be consistent with recent FHWA “Roundabout Guide”

10. Critical Issues • Ch. 5 Design of Shared Use Paths • Need/type of barrier between roadway and side path • Comments: What is the purpose of the barrier if not to redirect errant vehicles • Proposed Resolution: Barrier should be height of “standard” guiderail • Design speeds for shared use paths • Comments: Some comments suggest design speeds too high, others too low • Proposed Resolution: DS of 18 mph general sufficient on level grade, except in rare cases

11. Critical Issues • Ch. 5 Design of Shared Use Paths • Right of way assignment at crosswalks • Comment: Revise guide to differentiate between states where motorists must yield to bicyclists in crosswalks, and states where this is not the case • Proposed Resolution: Indicate that state law must be followed • Sidepath intersection design considerations • Comment: Delete much of text because not supported by research results • Proposed Resolution: Section rewritten with significant input from panel

12. Questions???