"Trail Crossing Agreements & Trail Crossings of State Highways"

7/27/2019 "Trail Crossing Agreements & Trail Crossings of State Highways"

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TRAIL CROSSING AGREEMENTS

& TRAIL CROSSINGSof STATE HIGHWAYS

Stephen Pohowsky

PennDOT District 5-0

Safety Program Specialist &

Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator,

Trail Crossing Coordinator


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It says here wecross this state

road with the trail!

How do we do that?

Who do we call and

what do we need?

Shared Use Paths and highway crossings

How do wecross safely?


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Trail Crossing Presentation

Trail Crossing Agreements

Trail Crossing Plans, Design, Rules, &Best Practices

We will be covering two topics today asthey apply to crossing a State Highway

with a trail:


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Objective of this Presentation

Explain what is required to cross a State highway

with a trail

Eliminate the confusion about trail crossing

agreements and trail crossing plans

Explain the trail crossing approval process

Offer guidance on trail crossings of state highways

Simplify the procedures as much as possible

Educate, inform, share, and hopefully entertain


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Trail Crossing Agreements ?

All trail crossings of State Highways require PennDOT

approval before they can be installed or modified.

This generally consists of the following two items:

A crossing agreement between the trail owner

(sponsor) and PennDOT.

PennDOT approval of submitted trail crossing

plans.

Prior to 2008 this was accomplished via a Highway

Occupancy Agreement (HOA). This procedure is no

longer used for trail crossings. Crossings installed

before 2008 were grandfathered.


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Types of at-grade Trail Crossing Agreements

Used within the Commonwealth

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 220679 dated April 2005 coversall Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) footpath

crossings of state-maintained highways. This was amended in September

26, 2005 to include State Forest hiking trail crossings of state highways.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 220431 dated December 12,2009 covers all Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

(DCNR) Shared Use Path crossings of state-maintained highways.

Appalachian Trail Agreement covers all crossings of state-maintained

highways by the Appalachian Trail.

Footpath Crossing Agreement covers all other footpath crossings of

state highways.

Shared Use Path Crossing Agreement covers all other multi-use

crossings and is the primary focus of this presentation.


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Typical At-Grade Crossing Agreements

Footpath Crossing Agreement Designed mainly for pedestrian use

Hikers, joggers, walkers, etc. Equestrians can be included!

Does not include Appalachian Trail or DCNR Trails

Shared Use Path (SUP) Crossing Agreement

Multi use trail

Bicycles, pedestrians, joggers, inline skaters, equestrians etc.

Does not include DCNR Trails

No motorized vehicles, ATVs, or snowmobiles

Most common agreement for trails

Either agreement allows for X-country skiing or snow shoeing


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Shared Use Path Crossing AgreementsAt-grade multi use trail crossings of State highways require a

Shared Use Path Crossing Agreement


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Whats the purpose of an SUP Agreement

A Shared Use Path Crossing Agreement addresses the responsibilities of

the trail owner and PennDOT for trail crossings and includes: notification procedures

signing and pavement markings

maintenance responsibilities

sight distances issues

traffic safety studies drainage concerns

clearing of vegetation

liability & indemnity

other similar issues

The execution of the SUP crossing agreement, in of itself, does not

authorize the creation or modification of any crossing. It merely allows the

trail owner to submit crossing plans for review and approval.


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Whats included in an SUP Agreement? Fifteen pages of legal definitions, procedures, responsibilities,

provisions, traffic control, construction, indemnity, rights, signingand marking statements etc.

Plus

A formal signature page for all parties involved (page 15)

Exhibit A, Traffic safety study sheet for SUP trail crossings

Exhibit B, Contractor integrity provisions

Exhibit C, Contractor responsibility provisions

Exhibit D, Americans with disabilities act provisions

Exhibit E, Nondiscrimination and sexual harassment provisions Exhibit F, Right-to-know law contract provisions

A resolution statement if the trail crossing owner is a Municipality

There is no mention of any trail names or trail crossing

locations in the agreement.


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When to use an SUP AgreementAn organization, municipality, group, or sponsor responsible

for a trail approaches PennDOT with the intent of establishing anew, or modifying an existing, at-grade trail crossing of a state-

maintained highway.

Execution of the SUP Crossing Agreement is mandatory and a

necessary first step that must be completed before the trailowner (sponsor) can submit individual crossing plans for

approval for each new or modified at-grade trail crossing.

All SUP agreements will be issued on a District-wide basis

only (i.e. you will need a separate agreement with Districts 4, 5& 6 for the same trail).

Existing crossings are considered grandfathered, however

major alterations or improvements to these crossings will

require a SUP Crossing Agreement be created or one already

be in place with the Commonwealth.


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One SUP Agreement will cover all trails and

trail crossings of state highway within a PennDOT

District Past, Present, & Future !

Shared Use Path

AgreementShared use path ow ner

& PennDOT

Signed 2012

1996

Existing Greenway Trail

with 2 crossings

2012

New Beltway Bike Path to be

built with 3 crossings

of state roads

2013

Greenway Trail extended

adding 1 new crossing

2015

Modify original 2 crossings

of Greenway Trail from

1996

Grandfathered no plans

3 trail crossing plans

1 crossing plan2 crossing plans

2013

Scenic River Trail to be

built with 2 crossings

2 crossing plans

1994Existing Rail-Trail

with 2 crossings

Grandfathered no plans


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Why should I sign an SUP Agreement?Comments heard from the Community

Im not signing it! By doing so Im taking on full legal responsibility and

indemnifying PennDOT. Ill just build my trail crossing without one

I dont need one, PennDOT owns the road and is responsible for the crossing

Ill just end my trail on both sides of the road and let users cross on their own

There is nothing that prevents trail users from bringing suit against the trailowners and nothing that prevents PennDOT from seeking damages from the trail

owner for their share of any potential liability.

PennDOT has exclusive authority and jurisdiction over all state highways per

State law. Any non-permitted trail crossing is illegal and subject to closure

without notice. PennDOT does not own or maintain any SUP trails or trail

crossings.

Building a trail crossing without the SUP Agreement invites legal liability for both

the trail owner and PennDOT. PennDOT, working with the trail group, is in the

best position to determine the safety impacts and potential mitigation factors for

at-grade crossings. Safety is the ultimate concern, and the SUP agreement

facilitates safe crossings.


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SUP Limitations

No Shared Use Path may cross a limited access highway at-grade

No Shared Use Path will cross a divided highway, except at places

where existing non-motorized traffic cross the median

No parking or trailhead area will be allowed at a State Highwaycrossing without the issuance of a separate Highway Occupancy

Permit (HOP) by PennDOT

The installation of flashing warning devices associated with any

trail crossing requires a separate Flashing Signal Permit be filed

and approved with the District Traffic Signals Unit.

Any physical construction within the roadway such as a pedestrian

island refuge will require a separate HOP permit from PennDOT.


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A very limited longitudinal length of trail in PennDOT

ROW necessary to connect non-parallel trail crossing

points would be handled by the SUP agreement.

Trail

Trail

2) SCOPE SUP


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Handled by the SUP agreement


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Handled by the SUP agreement

Trail Terminus Point

Trail ending on a State

Highway


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Other Trail Agreement Types

Trail Structure Agreement

Trail Maintenance Agreement

Right-of-Entry Agreement


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Bike/Ped Trail Bridge

All new above grade and below grade trail crossings of State highways

(bridges and tunnels) are handled by a Trail Structure Agreement

on a crossing by crossing (case by case) basis.

Trail Structure Agreement

TunnelStructure

Underpass

Structures

State Bridge

State Highway


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An Exception!

State Bridge State Bridge

Trails simply passing underneath a State Bridge generally do

not require a PennDOT agreement unless a structure is built!

No attachments are to be made to bridge or bridge walls.

No agreement required!

But you should acknowledge that

you are aware and will abide by

applicable aerial easement note

restrictions.

Same comment as left

No agreement required!


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Trail segments that parallel a State Highway and are within PennDOT

right-of-way are handled by a Trail Maintenance Agreement.

Parallel Trail within ROWParallel Trail within ROW

Trail Maintenance Agreement


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Right-of-Entry AgreementLengthy on-road segments of a trail using State highways are

handled by a Right-of-Entry Agreement when they involve the

installation of customized trail directional signage on PennDOT ROW.


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Use of Right-of-Entry Agreement

Off road section of trail


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Key Points to Rememberon crossing State Highways

An executed SUP agreement must exist:

Prior to construction of a new at-grade trail crossing

Prior to making major alterations to an existing trail crossing.

Prior to submitting trail crossing plans for review or approval

Shared Use Path (SUP) Crossing Agreements are PennDOT

District office specific.

The agreement covers all at-grade trail crossings on any trail, or

multiple trails, operated by the signer of the agreement within a

particular District. No specific crossings are mentioned in the

agreement.

l l


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SUP Agreements Currently in Place

in PennDOT District 5-0Allentown City Lehigh County

Berks County

Northampton County

Schuylkill River Greenway Association

Hellertown Borough

Palmer Township Upper Saucon Township

North Whitehall Township

South Whitehall Township

Stockertown Borough

Tatamy Borough Whitehall Township

Stroud Township

We also have a Right of Entry Agreement in place with the

Schuylkill River Greenway Association and Stroud Township


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GOOD TRAILCROSSING

DESIGN


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All safe & successful trail crossings of

State Highway have two elements in

common:

1. A crossing design that is

recognized by the driver of a motorvehicle in time to react.

2. A crossing design that

encourages trail users to stop, or atthe very least pause & look, before

crossing the highway.

A I t ti Ob ti


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There are currently no State laws, regulations, or standards thatmandate the installation of any trail signs, pavement markings, gates or

bollards at a trail crossing.

But, since the Commonwealth and local governments have full

approval authority over the use of their roads they may require

their installation to improve trail crossing visibility and safety.

An Interesting Observation

TrailTrail


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Little advance warning

No trail signage at crossing

Drivers are surprised!!

Unexpected peds/bikes on highway!

Poorly Designed Trail Crossing

S i l i !


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Same crossing only warning!

The old standard


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Not much better !

No trail signage at crossing

Illegal crosswalk pattern

Easily missed by drivers


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Same crossing poor advance signage

Non-standard sign

Too small & easily missed

C i d i t


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Crossing needs improvement

Bare minimum crosswalk marking,

this type is more for urban intersections !

No signage at crossing

d d il i d i !


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An outdated trail crossing design!

Minimal crosswalk marking,

one advance sign


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Still needs work

Illegal guiderail, safety hazard


Post should be breakaway

Needs maintenance & signage


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Needs maintenance & signage

Advance sign

obscured by tree


Did you

see the

bicyclist?

MUTCD SUP Trail Crossing Design


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MUTCD SUP Trail Crossing Design

Larger sizes approved

W16-103P

Some features of a good design


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Advance

pavement

marking

Bold

painted

crosswalk

Sign at X-walk

Advance

warning sign

Some features of a good design

Fluorescent

yellow green

signs

Trees & foliage

trimmed back for

better visibility &

sight distance

Visible queue area


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CROSSWALK MARKINGS and

TRAIL CROSSINGS

Painted Crosswalks at


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Although marked crosswalks are recommended byAASHTO at intersections between shared use paths

and roadways it is important that we understand that a

crosswalk should not be thought of as a safety

device. Since State Regulations (Section 3542 of theVehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. 3542) require motorists to

yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks, many

pedestrians feel overly secure when using them. They

often place themselves in a hazardous position withrespect to vehicles in the mistaken belief that the

motorist can and will stop in all cases. It is not unusual

for this type of pedestrian behavior to increase the

number of accidents.

Painted Crosswalks at

Trail Crossings

Examples of Crosswalk Markings for Trails


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Type A

Type C

Type BType C

Type C or B preferred

for trail crossings

Least visible for trails!

Minimum width 6 feet

Preferred crosswalk

width for trail is 10 feet

or actual trail width.

Crosswalks must

follow current

TC-8600 standard

dimensions.

Zebra

Continental or Piano Key

Ladder

Standard

Examples of Crosswalk Markings for Trails

Patterned crosswalks

can be used too.

What does the law say about Crosswalks?


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What does the law say about Crosswalks?Title 75 Vehicle Code Chapter 35

Rights and Duties of Pedestrians & Pedalcycles

Un-Signalized Intersections 3542 (a)

The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the

roadway within any marked or within any unmarked crosswalk (painted or

unpainted) at an intersection.

Mid-Block (Non-Intersection) (inc ludes most t rai l cross ings) 3543 (a) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than an intersection

or within a marked crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the

roadway.

Therefore:

o At marked (painted crosswalks) pedestrians have the right-of-way.

o At unmarked crosswalks vehicles have the right-of-way.

Dismounted Bicyclist - shall be treated the same as a pedestrian above.

Mounted Bicyclist according to Title 75 3505 (a) a mounted bicyclist is, and

shall be treated like, a vehicle at un-signalized intersection, therefore they

Must always stop and yield the ROW! Painted crosswalk or not.

K P i t t R b


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Key Points to Remember

Pedestrians have the right-of-way only at painted mid-block trail

crossing crosswalks!

Mounted bicyclists never have the ROW!

At all other mid-block trail crossings, the motorist has the right-

of-way.

The installation of trail crossing signage has no impact on ROW

for the above bullet points.

The legality of the crosswalk comes from PennDOTapproval of the trail crossing plans not the mere painting of

the crosswalk.

Trail Crossings


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Why install a painted crosswalk?

Trail CrossingsSome reasons for and against painted crosswalks

Provides guidance to trail users

where to cross the highway.

Acts as a pedestrian channelizing

device.

Aids in visibility to alert drivers to thetrail crossing point

Legally establishes pedestrian ROW

PennDOT requests or approves a

painted crosswalk be installed on

your plans

To provide for a safer trail crossing.

Traffic speeds are too high

Traffic volumes are too high

Poor sight distances

Crossing distance too wide

Motorists may not be able to stop intime to yield ROW due to grade or

field conditions

PennDOT does not approve a

painted crosswalk on your plans

To provide for a safer trail crossing.

Why you wouldnt want one?

An extensive FHWA study conducted in 2005 revealed that on two-lane roads

there were no significant differences in pedestrian crashes or severity for

marked versus unmarked crosswalk sites. (FHWA Publication No. HRT-04-100, Sept 2005)

Note: Trail crossings were not part of this study!

Posted Speed Limit of 40 MPH Actual road study


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0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 51-55 56-60 61-65 66-70

DataCounts

Speed range

Posted Speed Limit of 35 MPH

N=22,091

Mean speed = 48 MPH

85th percentile = 54 MPH

% vehicles > 55 MPH = 10.7%

Actual trail crossing study

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 51-55 56-60 61-65 66-70

DataC

ounts

Speed range

Posted Speed Limit of 40 MPH

N=30,163

Mean speed = 38 MPH

85th percentile = 43 MPH

% vehicles > 55 MPH = 0.2%

Actual road study

Crosswalk might be allowed

with other measures!

Crosswalk will not bepermitted!

SSD=342 ft for 85th%

SSD = 488 ft for 85th%

exceeds available SD

Trail Crosswalks may be


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Trail Crosswalks may be

Supplemented by YTPCDs

1. Their use increases the likelihood of a

motorist yielding to a pedestrian waiting

at a mid-block crosswalk by 17 to 24%

2. Their use is restricted to painted only

crosswalks.3. The posted speed limit must be 35 MPH

or less.

4. The devices may not be bolted or

permanently affixed to the pavement.

5. They are available free of charge from

each PennDOT District office, after

approval of the application.

6. We strongly encourage the devices be

removed between 9PM and 6 AM.

7. Probably better suited for urban trail

crossings.

Place device on centerline

Yield to Pedestrian Channelizing Device

In your Trail Designs


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In your Trail Designs

Avoid Skewed Crossings if Possible!

Crossing

Distance

20 feet

Crossing

Distance

30 feet

5.7 sec

to

cross

8.6 sec

to

cross

Large skews

may need

yield signs

& markings

Skewed crossings

will require longer

sight distances!

20

* Crossing distance is defined as edge of travel lane to edge of travel lane.

30

Required sight

distance = 397

Required sight

distance = 544


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Severely Skewed Trail Crossing

Avoid This!

B tt S l ti


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Better Solution

Make crossing angle as near

to 90 degrees as ROW allows

6.3 secto

cross

22

Required sight

distance = 426

Shortens the crossing

distance &

trail users spend less time

exposed to traffic!

vs.

5.7 sec & 397

for right angle

20 crossing

l f l


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Example of 90 Angle Crossing

An example from the SRT Trail


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An example from the SRT Trail

This curvature will also

reduce trail user speed

prior to crossing !

Yield Lines & Signs at Unsignalized


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Yield Lines & Signs at Unsignalized

Midblock Crosswalks (Trail Crossings)

20 to 50

R1-5

R1-5

You may consider using yield

lines and signs in advance of the

mid-block trail crosswalk as an

added safety measure. Provides

added reference where to stop.

Especially useful at

skewed crosswalks in

urbanized areas!

Ad P t M ki


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Advance Pavement Markings


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SIGHT DISTANCECALCULATIONS

Crossing Sight Distance Issues


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Crossing Sight Distance IssuesTwo important measurements need to be made

at every trail crossing for plan approval:(Paragraph 10 of the Shared Use Path Crossing agreement)

1. Trail Crossing sight distance

The distance required by a trail user to determine if

it is safe to proceed across the travel lanes of ahighway at a crossing.

2. Stopping sight distance

The distance required by a driver at a given speedto stop the vehicle after an object on the roadway

(bike/ped) becomes visible to the driver.

PennDOT Design Manual Part 2, Chapter 2.17.

)(47.1 gtVd

Sight Distances


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Sight Distances

Sight distances can be affected by many things:

Trees, shrubs, hedges, seasonal farm crops (i.e. corn, wheat),

or other foliage

Permanent fixed objects, buildings, sheds, fences, walls, utility

poles, guiderail, bridge parapets, etc.

Other objects such as traffic signs, mailboxes, parked cars, etc.

Vertical sag or vertical crest in the highway

Horizontal curves in the roadway before the crossing

Environmental and human factors


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Trees/Shrubs

CurveSign

Pole

Guiderail

Shadows

Name All Factors Affecting

Sight Distance!

Crossing Sight Distance


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Crossing Sight DistanceDesign speed limit 35 MPH, crossing distance = 21 feet (excludes shoulder)

Pedestrian walking speed 3.5 ft/sec + 2 sec perception

Dog Walker Sight Distance

Required

distance

Measured

North

Measured

South

412' 285' 450'

Bicycle Sight Distance

Required

distance

Measured

North

Measured

South

412' 450' 420'*

Area inside

curve must

remain clearto maintain

420 sight

)(47.1 gtVd

Skewed crosswalks

will have longer

sight distances!

Use highway designspeed in sight

distance calculations

2)5.3/21( gt

MPHV 35

North

Report lowest values

Stopping Sight Distance


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Stopping Sight DistanceDesign speed limit 35 MPH, factors in pavement coefficient of friction (f) and road grade (g)

Drivers eyes assumed 3.5 above road. Object height 2 above road.

t =Perception time 2.5 sec

Red Car Stopping Sight Distance

Required

distance

Actual

To Bikes

Actual

To joggers

250' 440' 225'

Green Car Stopping Sight Distance

Required

distance

Actual

To joggers

Actual

To Bikes

250' 430' 390'

Objects inside

curve can affect

sight distance

)(3047.1

2

gf

VVtSSD

( f )from design manual

*

Report the

lowest values

in your plans

MPHV 35

Can you stop in time?


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Can you stop in time?

Do you see the trail crossing ?

Elements of a Safe Trail Crossing!


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Elements of a Safe Trail Crossing! The trail crossing is highly visible to the vehicles on the

highway! No surprises!

Vehicles are given sufficient advance warning of the trail

crossing! So they anticipate it coming.

Trail users stop/pause to look before crossing the highway!

Trail users have adequate sight distance; drivers have

adequate stopping distance. (Compensate for deficiencies!)

The trail crossing is inspected and maintained at least once

a year. Include highway trail sign visibility !


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Highway Sign Visibility Issues

Trail crossing signs will not help if the drivers cant

see them!

Trail sign visibility can be affected by many things

including tree branches, shrubs, other signs, etc.

The solutions can be simple

Trim the tree

or move the

sign AfterBefore

The Impact of Tree Foliage


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p g

On Driver Perception

Early

Spring

Late

Summer

T il Si Vi ibilit I


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Trail Sign Visibility Issue

Advance sign

obscured by tree

and shadows

You can trim trees or relocate sign


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g

This might have been


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Evaluate field conditions &

anticipate tree/shrub growth

when you locate a trail sign.

What will this

look like in a year

or two? Bush will

get bigger.

Ask homeowner to

let you cut back

tree foliage? Tree

will only get bigger.

This might have been

a better location for

flashing light.

Step back, look from a

distance. Aim for at least

250 of sign legibility !

How Can We Improve an


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How Can We Improve an

Existing Trail Crossing?

How do you take an existing


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How do you take an existing

trail crossing from this


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To This

Trail Crossing Improvements


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Trail Crossing Improvements

Add crosswalk and dualfluorescent yellow green signs

Remove Trees in Trail Queuing Area


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Trees block views Cleared queue area

& sign adjustments

Sign Consolidation or Relocation


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g

Relocated

Lowered 1 sign

raised other

& consolidated

Improved Trail Sight Distance


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p g

Tree & brush removed

How can we improve ?


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p

Trim back tree line

District 5 Guidelines for Good Trail Crossings


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g

Sign visibility can

be improved by

using fluorescent

yellow green &/or

sign post reflective

strips.

10 ft or

trail width

Do not mix

Colors !

Stop signs

are mandatory

for SUP trail

crossings! Larger signs

may help too!

3036

Better if bollards or gates

are outside PennDOT ROW

Sign Post Consolidation at the Crossing


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& Dual Advance Signage

Back to Back

on same post

Back to Back

on same post

Watch for spacing between back to back


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supplemental signs if you consolidate

Narrow crosswalk Reverse skew to travel lane

Wide crosswalk

Forward skew

to travel lane

Too large

Spacing

Looks

Good!

Better solution

separate posts

Types of signs currently being used at


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Best choice for

all multi-use

SUP trails

yp g y g

Shared Use Path Trail Crossings

W11-15W11-1 W11-2

Best for footpath

trails or pedestrian

crosswalks

Best for bicycle

trails with little

pedestrian activity

More descriptive

Shared Use Path Trail Crossing Signage


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All signs must be

obtained from a listof State Approved

Sign Manufacturers

available from

PennDOT

All signs must be

installed according

to TC-8702B

standards for height,

lateral clearance, &

breakaway design.

Optional Trail Name Signage


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M1-8

W16-8P

12x 30

M1-8A

12x 36

Custom Approved

Design

D3-1

Optional

Example from the field


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Things That Go Wrong !


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Things That Go Wrong !

Non-approved sign design & mounting!

Wrong sign layout & does not meet

minimum sign under-clearance of 7 foot

(urban) or 5 foot (rural)

Crosswalk too Small !


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4 Does not meet 6 foot

minimum TC-8600 standard.

Should aim to match width

of trail.

New District 5 Trail Crossing


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Good signage

Advance

pavement marking

Highly visible

crosswalk

Good sight

distances

Typical Crossing PlanInclude: Crossing width


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Crosswalk pavement markings

Minimal skew angle

Trail crossing signs at the

crosswalk and in advance of it

Advance trail crossing pavement

markings

Stop signs on the trail

Gates or bollards designed to gettrail users to slow or stop before

the trail crossing

Include all items from paragraph

3b of the SUP agreement !

Roadway width

Sight distances

crossing, stopping

Trail width

Hwy grade

SR, segment

& offset

Speed limit

Sometimes its necessary to

use a pedestrian refuge islandREFUGE ISLANDS


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use a pedestrian refuge island

to cross a highway with a trail.Used on roads

with very high

traffic volumes or

wide 3 or more

lane crossings

Requires an HOP

Reduces crash rates

The Final Steps


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The Final Steps

PennDOT will review the trail crossing plan and

accept it or suggest modifications.

When it accepts a crossing plan, PennDOT will

provide the Shared Use Path Group with written

approval of the trail crossing plan and authorize

creation of the crossing consistent with the

provisions of the Shared Use Path Agreement.

The Shared Use Path Group shall notify

PennDOT when construction of the crossing is

completed.

Custom Designed and Approved Signs


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Signs must fit into M1-8A

or M1-8 sign foot print

Normal use is for on-road

sections of trail

Requires PennDOT design approval

Trail Wayfinding Signage


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Used to Direct Motorists

D7-4

Used to Direct BicyclistsD11-1 or D1 series M1-8A

MUTCD 2009 Section 9B.20 11PA Tourism Signing Trust

Requires PennDOT

permission before

installing.

See MUTCD 2009Section 9B.20-22 &

AASHTO Guide for

the Development of

Bicycle Facilities

Chapter 4.11

Examples of


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Examples of

some of the

many logosavailable for

wayfinding

signage

Wayfinding for vehicles to trailhead


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L&NE Rail-Trail


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Wayfinding bicycles between two trails


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D&L Trail

South Bethlehem

Greenway

Will require PennDOT

permission if signs are

placed on state roads

Link the

Trails

Final Comments


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The Shared Use Path owner is responsible for maintenance of the shared use path

and shared use path signs & markings as depicted on the approved Crossing Plan.

PennDOT will maintain other signs such as chevrons, curve warning signs, white edge

lines, etc.

o With rare exceptions, PennDOT will not install or maintain the signs or pavement

markings associated with a trail crossing.

o However, if a State highway containing a permitted or approved trail crossing is

paved by PennDOT, PennDOT will typically replace in-kind all crosswalk and

advance pavement markings but will not maintain them.

In the event PennDOT determines an existing trail crossing may be dangerous based

upon traffic accident history or lack of adequate sight distance, PennDOT may require

the temporary closure of the crossing. Crossing plans must be submitted and approved

to correct the deficiencies before the crossing is reopened.

No two trail crossings are alike so there is no one size fits all in trail crossing

design. Each crossing is unique and has its own individual set of circumstances

that need to be addressed. Even so there are standard practices and techniques

that can be applied and used at every trail crossing to improve safety.


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QUESTIONS?

Stephen Pohowsky

Safety Program Specialist - Bicycle Pedestrian & Trail Crossing Coordinator

Counties: Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Schuylkill

PennDOT District 5-0 1002 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101

[email protected] ph (610) 871-4490
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Trail Path Crossing Designs: Gates, BollardsA d d i l i d bi li t i b f i


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Nothing! Or

Wide spaced

Bollards

typically 5+ ft

Close spaced

Bollards

Typically 3 ft

Gate & Bollard Dual Gates or

fence overlap

Avoid This

If possible!

Too wide

Nothing

or single

bollard

A good design slows or impedes bicyclists in some way before crossing

Not a

desirable

design!

Poor designs for State Highway Trail crossings


99/102

Nothing

Bikes canspeed across!

Too wide

Bikes can pass

through unimpeded

Can be hazard for bicyclists

Difficult maneuver

for bicycles ortandems to make

Bollard too narrow

min 4 inch diameter

Designs that force bicycles to stop, pause, or turnbefore crossing.


100/102

g

Use bright colors or

reflective material

36 minwidth

A design that looks solid while approaching!


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Forces a Turn!

Opening

Gate openings


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Spacing ConsiderationsElectric Scooter

(3 or 4 wheel) 23 average width

Segway 25 average width

Wheelchair 27 average width

Recumbent Trike 33 average width

Tricycle (3 wheel bike) 31 average width

Maneuvering

area betweengates

"Trail Crossing Agreements & Trail Crossings of State Highways"

Documents