TRAILS AS TRANSPORTATION Design & Construction

TRAILS AS TRAILS AS TRANSPORTATIONTRANSPORTATION

Design & ConstructionDesign & Construction

Michael J. Kubek, P.E.Michael J. Kubek, P.E.

Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Department of Transportation, District 12District 12

Production AdministratorProduction Administrator

Before DesignBefore Design Secure funding sourceSecure funding source Determine logical terminiDetermine logical termini Coordinate with oversight agencyCoordinate with oversight agency

Determine Logical TerminiDetermine Logical Termini– Best to develop a master planBest to develop a master plan

Determine Logical TerminiDetermine Logical Termini– Best to develop a master planBest to develop a master plan

Before DesignBefore Design Determine Logical TerminiDetermine Logical Termini

– Federal requirementFederal requirement– Best to develop a master planBest to develop a master plan– Common terminiCommon termini

Connection to an existing trailConnection to an existing trailPark facilityPark facilityDesignated bike routeDesignated bike route

– Common terminiCommon terminiDesignated bike routeDesignated bike route



Before DesignBefore Design Remember: Rails to Trails are not Remember: Rails to Trails are not

always a slam dunk. Consider the always a slam dunk. Consider the following:following:– Typical sectionTypical section– Drainage issuesDrainage issues– Environmental issuesEnvironmental issues– Right of WayRight of Way– UtilitiesUtilities


DesignDesign

Design ReferencesDesign References

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

Design ReferencesDesign References

Design ReferencesDesign References FHWA Publication No. FHWA-EP-01-027, “Best FHWA Publication No. FHWA-EP-01-027, “Best

Practices Design Guide Part 2, Designing Practices Design Guide Part 2, Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access,” (2001)Sidewalks and Trails for Access,” (2001)

Design ReferencesDesign References AASHTO “Guidelines for the Development of Bicycle AASHTO “Guidelines for the Development of Bicycle

Facilities,” (1999 or latest edition)Facilities,” (1999 or latest edition) FHWA Publication No. FHWA-EP-01-027, “Best Practices FHWA Publication No. FHWA-EP-01-027, “Best Practices

Design Guide Part 2, Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Design Guide Part 2, Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access,” (2001)Access,” (2001)

OMUTCD “Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices OMUTCD “Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (2005 or latest edition, Chapter 9)(2005 or latest edition, Chapter 9)

Additional ReferencesAdditional References– ODOT Office of Local Projects web siteODOT Office of Local Projects web site

www.dot.state.oh.us/Services/Pages/Bike.aspxwww.dot.state.oh.us/Services/Pages/Bike.aspx

– ODOT District 12 LPA website, Phase II DesignODOT District 12 LPA website, Phase II Design www.dot.state.oh.us/districts/D12/Production/LPA/Pages/default.as

px

– Local MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization)Local MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization)

Types of Bicycle FacilitiesTypes of Bicycle Facilities

Bike LaneBike Lane Shared Use Path (aka Bike Path)Shared Use Path (aka Bike Path)

– A facility shared by recreational users (i.e. A facility shared by recreational users (i.e. pedestrians, joggers, bicyclists, etc.) separated pedestrians, joggers, bicyclists, etc.) separated from roadway traffic.from roadway traffic.

The design standards used for the bicycle The design standards used for the bicycle facility shall be determined by the use of facility shall be determined by the use of the facility.the facility.


Shared Use Shared Use Path DesignPath Design

Typical SectionTypical Section WidthWidth

– Path Width = 10’Path Width = 10’– Graded Shoulder = 2’Graded Shoulder = 2’– Bridge or Tunnel Width = 14’Bridge or Tunnel Width = 14’

Cross SlopeCross Slope– Path Slope = 2% pref., 3% max Path Slope = 2% pref., 3% max

No crown is preferredNo crown is preferred

– Graded Shoulder = 12:1 pref., 6:1 max Graded Shoulder = 12:1 pref., 6:1 max

Design SpeedDesign Speed 20mph20mph

30mph (advisable for profile grades > 4%)30mph (advisable for profile grades > 4%)

Typical SectionTypical Section

Pavement CompositionPavement Composition– Design for expected emergency, law Design for expected emergency, law

enforcement, & maintenance vehiclesenforcement, & maintenance vehicles– ODOT commercial drive design is ODOT commercial drive design is

recommendedrecommended


Horizontal ClearanceHorizontal Clearance– Obstructions = 3’ desired, 2’ min. Obstructions = 3’ desired, 2’ min. – Separation from Roadway = 5’Separation from Roadway = 5’– Steep Embankment (> 3:1) = 5’ Steep Embankment (> 3:1) = 5’

Vertical ClearanceVertical Clearance– 10’ desired, 8’ min. 10’ desired, 8’ min.



Horizontal AlignmentHorizontal Alignment Max. Grade Break Max. Grade Break

w/o horizontal w/o horizontal curvecurve– Not addressed Not addressed

directly in AASHTOdirectly in AASHTO

– Use taper formula Use taper formula for obstructions on for obstructions on page 67 of the page 67 of the manualmanual

Horizontal AlignmentHorizontal Alignment

Minimum Radius of Minimum Radius of CurvatureCurvature– AASHTO Table 1, AASHTO Table 1,

page 38page 3820mph = 100’20mph = 100’30mph = 225’30mph = 225’

Horizontal AlignmentHorizontal Alignment Minimum Lateral Clearance for Minimum Lateral Clearance for

Horizontal CurvesHorizontal Curves– AASHTO Table 4, page 45AASHTO Table 4, page 45

Horizontal AlignmentHorizontal Alignment The preceding criteria establishes the threshold for safety The preceding criteria establishes the threshold for safety

in design. Remember to include an aesthetically pleasing in design. Remember to include an aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable facility.and enjoyable facility.

Vertical AlignmentVertical Alignment Max. Grade Break Max. Grade Break

w/o a vertical curvew/o a vertical curve– Not addressed directly Not addressed directly

in AASHTOin AASHTO

– Use ODOT Location & Use ODOT Location & Design Manual (L&D) Design Manual (L&D) Figure 203-2Figure 203-2

20mph = 2.9%20mph = 2.9% 30mph = 1.30%30mph = 1.30%

Minimum length of Minimum length of vertical curvevertical curve– Establish Stopping Establish Stopping

Sight Distance (SSD) Sight Distance (SSD) for crest curvefor crest curve

Vertical AlignmentVertical Alignment Minimum length of Minimum length of

vertical curvevertical curve– Based on Stopping Based on Stopping

Sight Distance (SSD) Sight Distance (SSD) for crest curvefor crest curve

– AASHTO manual AASHTO manual states 3 feetstates 3 feet

– ODOT District 12 ODOT District 12 recommendsrecommends

3 * Design Speed (pref.)3 * Design Speed (pref.) 2 * Design Speed (min.)2 * Design Speed (min.)

Vertical AlignmentVertical Alignment Maximum length of steep profile gradesMaximum length of steep profile grades

– AASHTO page 70AASHTO page 70


– FHWA page 16-5FHWA page 16-5


5% < Grade ≤ 6%5% < Grade ≤ 6% up to 800ftup to 800ft



8% < Grade ≤ 8.33%8% < Grade ≤ 8.33% up to 200ft *up to 200ft *

8.33% < Grade ≤ 10%8.33% < Grade ≤ 10% up to 30ft *up to 30ft *

10% < Grade ≤ 12.5%10% < Grade ≤ 12.5% up to 10ft *up to 10ft *


– Exception: when the path is adjacent to a Exception: when the path is adjacent to a roadway, it can follow the roadway profile.roadway, it can follow the roadway profile.

Vertical AlignmentVertical Alignment

Vertical AlignmentVertical Alignment

ADA ComplianceADA Compliance ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Curb RampsCurb Ramps

– Provide truncated domesProvide truncated domes

ADA ComplianceADA Compliance AccessibilityAccessibility

– The trail (shared use path) is considered a The trail (shared use path) is considered a “Facility.” “Facility.”

– Access to the facility is subject to the ADAAG Access to the facility is subject to the ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines)Guidelines)

ADA ComplianceADA Compliance

DrainageDrainage Use Bicycle safe grates (4” max. grid Use Bicycle safe grates (4” max. grid

spacing)spacing) Provide ditch on uphill side of the pathProvide ditch on uphill side of the path Culvert design per ODOT Location & Culvert design per ODOT Location &

Design Manual Volume 2, Section 1004.2Design Manual Volume 2, Section 1004.2 Ditch flow depth per L&D section 1102.4 Ditch flow depth per L&D section 1102.4

(District 12)(District 12)– 9” below edge of path, pref.9” below edge of path, pref.– 0” below edge of path, min.0” below edge of path, min.

Do not put the safety of the users at risk!Do not put the safety of the users at risk!

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

Vehicular CrossingsVehicular Crossings Signing and striping per AASHTO manual Signing and striping per AASHTO manual

and the OMUTCD (Chapter 9 for bicycles)and the OMUTCD (Chapter 9 for bicycles)

Vehicular CrossingsVehicular Crossings

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

Vehicular CrossingsVehicular Crossings Slow down users with geometrics & provide SSD at Slow down users with geometrics & provide SSD at

intersectionintersection

Vehicular CrossingsVehicular Crossings Slow down users with geometrics & provide SSD at Slow down users with geometrics & provide SSD at

intersectionintersection

Design ExceptionsDesign Exceptions Prepare in accordance with ODOT Prepare in accordance with ODOT

L&D, Volume 1, section 105L&D, Volume 1, section 105 Submit with letter of concurrence from Submit with letter of concurrence from

the Local Public Agency (owner & the Local Public Agency (owner & maintaining agency)maintaining agency)

Design standards that are “advisable” Design standards that are “advisable” or “recommended” generally do not or “recommended” generally do not require a design exceptionrequire a design exception

Design ExceptionsDesign Exceptions



Other Design ConsiderationsOther Design Considerations Account for clean up in the bid, Account for clean up in the bid,

especially on urban trailsespecially on urban trails Design bridges for emergency and Design bridges for emergency and

maintenance vehicle loadingmaintenance vehicle loading ConstructionConstruction

– Construction equipment loading Construction equipment loading Soils investigationSoils investigation

– Staging areasStaging areas

Utilities in Railroad CorridorsUtilities in Railroad Corridors– Petroleum linesPetroleum lines– Fiber OpticFiber Optic

Design SummaryDesign Summary

PlanningPlanning– Secure FundingSecure Funding– Master PlanMaster Plan– Logical TerminiLogical Termini

DesignDesign– Use Common SenseUse Common Sense– Always keep the safety of the user as Always keep the safety of the user as

your number one priorityyour number one priority– Design as if your family will be using Design as if your family will be using

the facilitythe facility

Documents

TRAILS AS TRANSPORTATION Design & Construction