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DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF ENGINEERING |
EDSM No: II.2.1.14 |
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ENGINEERING DIRECTIVES AND STANDARDS MANUAL |
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VOLUME |
II |
DATE |
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CHAPTER |
2 |
SUBJECT |
BICYCLE AND
PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES |
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SECTION |
1 |
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DIRECTIVE |
14 |
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1.
POLICY STATEMENT
a.
Pedestrian and bicycle facilities are valuable components of
the intermodal transportation network. The Department
of Transportation and Development (DOTD) will therefore develop those
facilities that are considered safe, efficient, proper and cost effective
within the right of ways of the state highway system. Maintenance
of bicycle and pedestrian facilities will be by the Department or local
government by agreement. The local governing authority
must maintain sidewalks by agreement.
b.
In assessing the need for a particular facility, the DOTD
will consider only transportation related factors (not recreation related) such
as the connection of pedestrian and/or bicycle traffic generators (i.e.:
schools, shopping centers, recreation facilities, etc. to subdivisions), except
in the case of certain multi-state or regional designated routes.
c.
The attainment of a bicycle and pedestrian facility network
is a goal that will be met primarily by constructing the proper facilities at
the time new highways are built, or existing highways reconstructed, or
overlayed if sufficient right of way is available. Retrofits
to existing highways through a separate construction project are possible
through the Transportation Enhancement Program. Retrofit
projects may be initiated by the Department or by
others as described below.
d.
The Transportation Enhancement Program is explained in the
"Transportation Enhancement Program Manual" which is available from
the Department’s General Files Section (225/379-1107) or from the Department’s
web page at www.dotd.state.la.us. Through this
program, facilities may be built off the state highway system.
Individuals or groups desiring such retrofits may apply to the program
as described in the Manual.
e.
The Department shall develop a "Bicycle Route Goals
Map". The map will serve as a guide for the
development of a comprehensive, bicycle friendly, statewide highway network. Bicycle Master Plan routes developed by urbanized areas
shall be adopted as part of the map. The Department’s
definition of a bicycle friendly route is one with either paved shoulders, bike
lanes, or a separated path(s). When a reconstruction
project is scheduled for a route on the map, it will be the policy of the
Department to incorporate bicycle facilities if cost effective. The primary facility type that will be used is a paved
shoulder. The factors which will be considered in
establishing the map are as follows. On a regional
level, the routes chosen must either traverse areas of significant historical
and/or scenic interest, or connect population centers from which significant
bicycle traffic will be generated. On a city or town
level, those routes should connect bicycle traffic generators, such as schools,
recreation areas, residential areas, shopping centers, job centers, libraries,
municipal complexes, etc.
f.
The permissible methods of making a state highway bicycle
friendly are: by means of a paved shoulder, bike lanes, and a separate bike
path. The primary method will be by paved shoulders. Bicycle lanes will only be used
when there are existing parking lanes and the municipality agrees to their
conversion, and projected traffic counts do not warrant the addition of new
lanes in the near future.
g.
The Department may agree to designating and signing a highway
as a bicycle route if the route is bicycle friendly and funding is available. If the route is not bicycle friendly, the Department will
consider a request to incorporate the route into the Department’s Bicycle Route
Goals Map.
h.
When current conditions do not warrant pedestrian or bicycle
facility construction, the design will consider the possibility of future
retrofits.
2.
DESIGN CRITERIA AND STANDARDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
a.
The Department has developed a manual titled "Statewide
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan". This manual
is considered a compendium of best practices from around the world. The Department will utilize this manual, and applicable
FHWA and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO) guidance as it develops policies and procedures.
b.
With certain exceptions, the AASHTO design guidelines for
bicycle and pedestrian facilities will be adopted for Department use. Exceptions/variations to these criteria require the Chief
Engineer’s approval.
c.
The minimum desirable paved shoulder width for a bicycle
friendly highway is four feet.
d.
The warrants for pedestrian/bicycle and roadway grade
separations are as follows.
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VOLUME LEVELS
THAT WARRANT INSTALLATION OF OVER/UNDERPASSES |
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Facility |
Pedestrian/ Bicyclist Volume (Total for 4 Hours) |
Vehicular Volume (Same 4 Hours) |
Vehicular Volume (AADT) |
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Freeway |
100 |
7,500 |
25,000 |
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Arterial |
300 |
10,000 |
35,000 |
The above volumes are for the projected
construction-finish year. They provide the basic
warrants for justifying pedestrian and bicycle facility grade separations. Both the vehicular and ped/bike counts should be exceeded. However, in cases where one count greatly exceeds the
amount shown, or where a high percent of the pedestrians or bicyclists are
school children, a grade separation may be warranted. Also,
the availability of a nearby, attractive, crossing opportunity may negate the
need for a grade separation, even though the numerical warrants are satisfied.
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R. E. DILLON, JR. DOTD CHIEF
ENGINEER |