1). The striped lines begin at 4th Street on the Caperton Trail and
continue to the kiosk which is right before where the trail turns into
gravel.
2). The stripped lines start at the beginning of Deckers Creek Trail and
continue all the way to the intersection with Deckers Creek Rd.
3). In general, the stripes are not properly centered in the trail, this
leaves more room on one side of the trail than on the other side. Also, the
ends of the stripes are not always perpendicular to one another creating a
wavy effect.
4). The stripes are not trail appropriate, but rather are similar to the
ones designated for highways. There are approximately 10 feet long and
about 4 inches wide. (note: This is a just an estimate.) The MUTCD
recommends stripes that are 3 feet long for shared-use paths ([Section
9B.01] or in the newest MUTCD [Section 9C.03]).
5). The stripes are spaced approximately 10 feet apart from each other.
The MUTCD recommends a 1-to-3 segment-to-gap ratio. Given the present
stripe size that would be 30 feet, however, if the trail was appropriately
striped that would be 9 feet.
6). The stripes are white, but both the MUTCD and the AASHTO recommend a
"100-mm (4-inch) wide "yellow" center line stripe to separate opposite
directions of travel (from AASHTO)".
Summary: The biggest problem with the way the stripes were applied is that
they are not appropriate stripes for a rail-trail and they are too close
together based on their length. No wonder people are complaining about
getting dizzy. Also, the intention of these stripes was to provide feedback
to people in congested areas to stay to the right, not to make the
rail-trail look like a very weird 70 mph freeway. Furthermore, because the
stripes weren't properly centered people tend to walk towards the center on
the less wide side. AASHTO provides a good explanation of what we wanted
to accomplish:
A designer should consider a 100-mm (4-inch) wide yellow center line
stripe to separate opposite directions of travel. This stripe should be
broken
where adequate passing sight distance exists, and solid in other
locations, or where passing by bicycles should be discouraged. This may
be particularly beneficial in the following circumstances: (1) for heavy
volumes of bicycles and/or other users, (2) on curves with restricted sight
distance, and (3) on unlighted paths where nighttime riding is expected.
White edge lines can also be very beneficial where bicycle traffic is
expected
during early evening hours.
Did we accomplish this goal? Based on my real-world experience of riding
on the trail today I was appalled. Because of BOPARC's attempt at
reinventing the wheel, we have created a situation that actually makes it
harder for a bicyclist to adequately identify travelers coming from the
opposite direction because of the distraction that the striped lines create;
i.e. this is a less safe situation. Furthermore, it was my understanding
that these stripes were only going to be placed in congested areas, and
augmented by signage.
I am not sure how to finish this message, but I think this indicates some
serious problems with the communication channels that exist in this City.
You would have thought that BOPARC would have know the appropriate
application to use on a rail-trail, and they would have asked or have been
told what application to use if they didn't know, but this certainly doesn't
seem to be the case. I am looking forward to learning more information
about what went wrong from those who know, so we won't have a repeat of this
in the future!
-Jonathan
Jonathan Rosenbaum wrote:
Yes, this was presented to the TC on June 13, 2007. I've attached the
file that describes the outcome of this TC meeting, look at (4). I
haven't been on the rail trail since the change occurred. Did they put
strips in congested areas as we recommended, or did they strip the whole
rail trail?
-Jonathan
Greg Good wrote:
Does anyone have a record that the BB recommended to the Traffic Commission
a center line on the railtrail? I cannot find any such recommendation in my
records, but perhaps I am missing some files.
Background: center lines have appeared and one citizen has been told that
this was the call of the BB. I doubt this and I want the record to be clear.
Greg
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