Bicycle transportation planning and engineering
Topic: Engineering
From HandWiki - Reading time: 3 min
Bicycle transportation planning and engineering are the disciplines related to transportation engineering and transportation planning concerning bicycles as a mode of transport and the concomitant study, design and implementation of cycling infrastructure. It includes the study and design of dedicated transport facilities for cyclists (e.g. cyclist-only paths) as well as mixed-mode environments (i.e. where cyclists share roads and paths with vehicular and foot traffic) and how both of these examples can be made to work safely.[1] In jurisdictions such as the United States it is often practiced in conjunction with planning for pedestrians as a part of active transportation planning.[2]
Networks, signage and maps
Most national cycling route networks have long-distance named routes, rather like highways. However, the international numbered-node cycle network has a modular design that enables arbitrary routes using simple signage. Both aim to minimize map use with plentiful signs.
Cycle networks of routes can be developed in co-ordination with cycle maps. Co-ordination can be local or national (the numbered-node cycle network has national co-ordination in some countries, and local co-ordination in others).
Cycle Superhighway CS7 start point at Colliers Wood Underground Station]
Cycleway network in Milton Keynes. NCR routes 6 and 51 are highlighted in red. In 1970 in the United Kingdom, the Milton Keynes Development Corporation produced the "Master Plan for Milton Keynes".[3]
A locator map on the numbered-node cycle network, at node 20 in Schoten, near Antwerp. Each intersection is marked with a numbered circle; any route through the network can be represented as a string of numbers.
Bikeways
Some examples of the types of bikeways under the purview of bicycle transportation engineers include partially segregated infrastructure in-road such as bike lanes, buffered bike lanes; physically segregated in-road such as cycle tracks; bike paths with their own right-of-way; and shared facilities such as bicycle boulevards, shared lane markings, advisory bike lane, road shoulders, wide outside lanes, shared street schemes, and any roadways with legal access for cycling.
In roadway
NACTO guidelines state "desired width for a cycle track should be 5 feet (1.5 m). In areas with high bicyclist volumes or uphill sections, the desired width should be 7 feet (2.1 m)". CROW standard width for one way cycle paths in the Netherlands is a minimum of 2.5 m (8′). For bidirectional use the minimum is 3.5 m (11′).
Unsegregated
One-way street with two-way shared cycling
Streetscape in which all modes of travel (pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists) share the road
Streetscape in which cyclists and motorists share the road
- Bicycle boulevard
- Shared bus and cycle lane
Partially segregated
Streetscape with dedicated cycle facilities next to other traffic
- Cycle lane
- Shared lane marking
Segregated
One way street with two way cycle tracks and shared road
One way street with a single two way cycle track on right
One way street with a single two way cycle track on left
Cycle tracks with concrete barriers in downtown Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on Laurier Avenue in 2011.
Separate traffic light for automobiles and bicycles on cycle track in Denmark
Cycle track with green lanes through intersection in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (also on Laurier) in 2011.
- Cycle track
Barriers
Options for barriers are soft-hit posts, raised curb or traffic barriers.
Off road
- Bike path
- Rail trail
Bike freeway
The bicycle highway F35 in Enschede.
- Bike freeway
Intersections and signals
Advanced stop line, Liverpool, UK
Signals for cyclists in China
Protected intersection
Bicycle transportation engineers also are involved in improving intersections/junctions and traffic lights. Advanced stop lines are one example of road markings on mixed mode shared space as cycling infrastructure.
Other infrastructure
Bicycle parking
Bike rack shaped like a car
Road diets, curb extension, improving the road surface; building bicycle parking such as bicycle locks, bicycle stands, lockers.
Legislation
- in California new bikeway design standards were last adopted in 1976. Those designs were adapted by the Association of American State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to become the AASHTO Guide for Bicycle Facilities, which is followed in the USA.
See also
- Bikeway controversies
- Bicycle Master Plan
- Bikeway safety
- Cyclability
- CROW Design Manual for Bicycle Traffic
- Bicycle mobility
- Sustainable transport
- Outline of cycling
- Cycling infrastructure
- Mikael Colville-Andersen
References
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