Guide to Road Design Part 6A: Paths for Walking and Cycling Sydney 2017 Guide to Road Design Part 6A: Paths for Walking and Cycling Second edition prepared by: Peter Aumann and Tony Arnold Publisher Austroads Ltd. Second edition project manager: Gemma Kernich Level 9, 287 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia Abstract Phone: +61 2 8265 3300 The Guide to Road Design Part 6A: Paths for Walking and Cycling provides [email protected] guidance for designers and other practitioners on the design of paths for safe www.austroads.com.au and efficient walking and cycling, both within the road corridor and outside the road corridor. The guide provides information on considerations that should About Austroads be given in providing a path, describes the types of paths and covers the requirements of path users, e.g. operating spaces, factors that influence path Austroads is the peak organisation of Australasian locations, and geometric design criteria for a path and related facilities such road transport and traffic agencies. as intersections between paths, and terminal treatments. Detailed guidance is provided on path location, alignment, width, clearances, crossfall, drainage Austroads’ purpose is to support our member and sight distance requirements. organisations to deliver an improved Australasian road transport network. To succeed in this task, we The location and design of paths may be influenced by a range of aspects undertake leading-edge road and transport that need to be considered and facilities that need to be accommodated within research which underpins our input to policy roadsides. In particular, designers should refer to the Guide to Road Design: development and published guidance on the • Part 6: Roadside Design, Safety and Barriers (Austroads 2010a) design, construction and management of the road • Part 6B: Roadside Environment (Austroads 2015b). network and its associated infrastructure. The design of pedestrian and cyclist paths may also be influenced by design Austroads provides a collective approach that considerations and requirements covered in other parts of the Guide to Road delivers value for money, encourages shared Design. In addition, road designers should also refer to relevant parts of the knowledge and drives consistency for road users. Guide to Traffic Management in relation to traffic management devices and Austroads is governed by a Board consisting of requirements that may need to be accommodated within a roadside or may senior executive representatives from each of its otherwise influence the design. eleven member organisations: • Roads and Maritime Services New South Wales Keywords • Roads Corporation Victoria Planning, pedestrian paths, bicycle paths, shared paths, separated paths, path user requirements, operating space, location of paths, alignment, • Queensland Department of Transport and Main horizontal curvature, gradient, width, clearance, intersections, fences, terminal Roads treatments, bridges, culverts, bicycle safety audits. • Main Roads Western Australia • Department of Planning, Transport and Published: June 2017 Infrastructure South Australia • Department of State Growth Tasmania ISBN 978-1-925451-75-7 Pages 111 • Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Austroads Project No. TP1848 Logistics Northern Territory Austroads Publication No. AGRD06A-17 • Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate, Australian Capital Territory • Australian Government Department of © Austroads Ltd 2017 Infrastructure and Regional Development This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the • Australian Local Government Association Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without the prior written permission of Austroads. • New Zealand Transport Agency. Second edition published June 2017 First edition published October 2009 The second edition has been restructured and contains editorial and technical changes. The title has been amended to better reflect the information on the functions and types of paths covered in this edition. Updated information and new information have been included with the key changes as follows: • Sections 1 to 4 has been reworded to provide generic information that is relevant for pedestrians and cyclists. • Section 1.1: Universal Access – additional information on providing universal access. • Sections 2.2: Pedestrian Path and 2.3: Bicycle Path – amended to include information on levels of service. • Section 3: Path User Considerations – amended to broaden the range of path user considerations. • Section 3.2.1: Pedestrians – amended to include information on mobility scooters. • Section 5.1: Width of Paths – additional information for path widths based on volumes. • Section 5.7: Sight Distance – additional commentary on pedestrian needs and sight distance and replacement of Figure 7.7 with an equation to determine stopping sight distance. • Section 6.5: Special Treatments for Intersections of Paths with Paths – new section consolidating treatments for special circumstances. • Section 7.3: Treatments for Intersections of Paths with Roads – new information on path terminal treatments. • Section 7.5: Special Treatments for Intersections of Paths with Roads – new section on terminal treatments for special circumstances. • Section 8.3: Culvert Underpasses – new information on principles in providing paths through culverts. • Appendix B: Speed Limiting Treatments – new appendix providing information on speed limiting treatments on paths. • Appendix C.3.1: Bituminous Surface Pavements – additional information on bituminous surfaces. • Appendix C.4: Life Cycle Costing – new section on life cycle costing. • Commentary 1: Planning and Need for a Path – transferred from Section 2 as information relates to network plans and operation. Acknowledgements The authors acknowledge the role and contribution of the Austroads Road Design Task Force in providing guidance and information during the preparation of this Part. The panel comprised the following members: Mr Peter Ellis - Roads and Maritime Services, New South Wales Mr Richard Fanning - Roads Corporation, Victoria Mr Mike Whitehead - Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads Mr Albert Wong - Main Roads Western Australia Mr William Moodie - Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Northern Territory Mr Ben McHugh - Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate Mr Tony Napoli - Australian Local Government Association Mr James Hughes - NZ Transport Agency Mr Tom Brock - Consult Australia Ms Gemma Kernich - Australian Bicycle Council Mr Michael Tziotis - ARRB Group Ltd The authors would like to acknowledge the support from the City of Sydney and City of Adelaide for providing photographs for this Part. This Guide is produced by Austroads as a general guide. Its application is discretionary. Road authorities may vary their practice according to local circumstances and policies. Austroads believes this publication to be correct at the time of printing and does not accept responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of information herein. Readers should rely on their own skill and judgement to apply information to particular issues. Guide to Road Design Part 6A: Paths for Walking and Cycling Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Purpose .................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Scope of this Part ..................................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Safe System Approach ............................................................................................................................. 3 2. Types of Path .......................................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 General ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Pedestrian Path ........................................................................................................................................ 4 2.3 Bicycle Path .............................................................................................................................................. 5 2.4 Shared Path .............................................................................................................................................. 6 2.5 Separated Path ......................................................................................................................................... 8 3. Path User Considerations ................................................................................................................... 12 3.1 General ................................................................................................................................................... 12 3.2 Operating Space ..................................................................................................................................... 14 3.2.1 Pedestrians ............................................................................................................................... 14 3.2.2 Cyclists ....................................................................................................................................