Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities in California: A Technical Reference and Technology Transfer Synthesis for Caltrans Planners and Engineers

Author(s):

Alta Planning & Design for California Department of Transportation

Organization:

Alta Planning & Design

Publisher/Date:

Alta Planning & Design for California Department of Transportation, 2005

Rating:

Very Useful

Abstract:

A current (2005), easy to read, best practices manual covering the planning and construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. While the first four chapters (30 pages) of this 7-chapter manual are peculiar to California, the remaining 150 pages are germane to any US reader. Of these, Chapter V (35 pp) covers pedestrian facilities; Chapter VII, Appendices, contains papers and studies of exegetic interest; and Chapter IX, is an annotated bibliography listing many documents that could also be of use.

Chapter V, the pedestrian facilities and traffic calming chapter, will be of particular use for guidance during the planning and conceptual design stages. Each page of this chapter presents a component, describes it, gives the rationale behind what it does, and has one or more pictures. While there is only a page devoted to the ADA, and this covers just legal requirements, access is present wherever appropriate because access guidelines are integrated into the general text.

When regulations are used as guidelines, they are expressed in terms of maximums and minimums, not best practice. Nonetheless, because the rationale behind the design feature is usually given, it offers a basis for understanding optimal design solutions.

Number of Pages:

198

Link:

Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities in California (PDF) (www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/survey/pedestrian/TR_MAY0405.pdf)

Table of Contents?

Yes

Index?

No

Illustrations?

Yes (many photographs)

Material Type:

Book

Notes:

Very Useful for Planners and Engineers

Key Document?

Yes

Categories:

State Regulations, Guidelines, Planning, Conceptual Design

Keywords:

California - State, Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities

Strengths:

• Incorporates criteria for designing for all people as part of general criteria. I.e., makes designing for the widest range of abilities implicit in good design.
• Gives both prescriptive and performance criteria, always accompanied by the rationale.
• Gives pictures with each entry.
• Is clear, to the point, and in a very user friendly format.

Weaknesses:

• Is primarily a supplement to other documents and is not comprehensive enough to stand-alone.
• Has no index.

Suggestions for Future Editions:

• Chapter V of this document could be expanded to be a stand-alone set of guidelines.
• Chapter V should include a broad and inclusive description of “Pedestrians” showing a range of abilities and a range of activities.

Record Last Updated:

July 2006