settling the score: street performance measures

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Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

NEXT GENERATION BICYCLE PLANNING

Montgomery County Planning Department

David Anspacher, Montgomery County Planning Department

Background

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Background

• Funding Source:

– Metropolitan Washington Council of Govts Transportation Land Use Connections Program

• Consultant Team

– Kittelson & Associates

– Toole Design Group

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LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA

FREDERICK COUNTY, MD

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA

HOWARD COUNTY, MD

WASHINGTON, DC

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD

PRINCE GEORGE’S, MD

Population: 1 million Area: 507 sq miles

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LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA


FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA

HOWARD COUNTY, MD

WASHINGTON, DC


AGRICULTURAL RESERVE


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LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA


FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA

HOWARD COUNTY, MD


WASHINGTON, DC



ROCKVILLE

WHEATON

SILVER SPRING

BETHESDA

FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS

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LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA


FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA

HOWARD COUNTY, MD


WASHINGTON, DC



ROCKVILLE

WHEATON

SILVER SPRING

TWINBROOK

WHITE FLINT

BETHESDA

FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS

Purpose

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Traditional Suburban Bicycle Planning

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Four Types of Transportation Cyclists

Strong and Fearless (~4%)

Enthused and Confident (~9%)

Interested but Concerned (~56%)

No Way, No How (~31%)

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TRADITIONAL

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EMERGING

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“If or when I ride a bike, I’m concerned about being hit by a motor vehicle”

Source: Jennifer Dill

39% 52% 84%

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“Enthused and Confident”

• “Enthused and Confident” group is okay with bike lanes


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“Interested but Concerned”


• “Interested by Concerned” group requires buffered bike lanes or cycle tracks on arterial roads

Bicycle Facility Selection Tools

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Traditional Facility Assessment

Maryland State Highway Administration

Posted Speed Limit

Truck Volumes %

Shoulder/ Lane Width

≤35 mph 4 feet

>35 mph and ≤45 mph

≤8% trucks 5 feet

>8% trucks

6 feet

>45 mph 6 feet

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Traditional Facility Assessment

• Each link is evaluated individually

– Network connectivity not considered and prioritized

– Intersections and transitions not considered

• Limited number of bicycle facilities

– New bicycle facilities and treatments have been developed for different contexts

• One size fits all approach

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Innovative Facility Selection Tools

• Account for the different needs of different types of users

• Recognize network connectivity

– Both in matters of facility siting and transitions at intersections or other obstacles

• Additional facility types are included in assessment

Tool #1: Nomographs

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Click to edit Master title style

Speed (mph)

Traf

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CONFIDENT CYCLISTS

50K

45K

40K

35K

30K

25K

20K

15K

10K

5K

<5K

<15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55+

Physically Separated

Physically Separated Or Bike Lane with Buffer

Wide Bike Lane (Buffer Optional)

Mixed Traffic or Sharrow

Speed (mph)

INTERESTED BUT CONCERNED

10K

9K

8K

7K

6K

5K

4K

3K

2K

1K

<1K <15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55+

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Wide Bike Lane

(buffer optional)

Wide Bike Lane

(buffer preferred)

or Bike Lane with Buffer


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Spring Street (west of Georgia Ave), Silver Spring Speed: 30 mph Volume: 9,700

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Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Speed (mph)

Traf

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CONFIDENT CYCLISTS 50K

45K

40K

35K

30K

25K

20K

15K

10K

5K

<5K

<15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55+

Speed (mph)

INTERESTED BUT CONCERNED 10K

9K

8K

7K

6K

5K

4K

3K

2K

1K

<1K <15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55+

Traf

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Physically Separated Physically Separated

Physically Separated Or Bike Lane with Buffer

Wide Bike Lane (Buffer Optional)



Spring Street (west of Georgia Ave), Silver Spring Speed: 30 mph Volume: 9,700

Tool #2: Level of Traffic Stress

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Level of Traffic Stress

• Four stress levels based on key facility and traffic factors

– Stress level 1 – Requires little attention, suitable for children

– Stress level 2 – Low traffic stress, but only suitable for most adults

– Stress level 3 – Moderate traffic stress for all bicyclists

– Stress level 4 – High stress, only suitable for experienced bicyclists

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Level of Traffic Stress

• Key factors include

– Presence and type of facility

– Width of dedicated bicycle facility

– Number of vehicle lanes

– Vehicle speed and volume

– Density of driveways, intersections, and other conflicts with facility

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Bethesda Downtown Plan

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Network for the “Strong and Fearless”

Existing Network Planned Network

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Network for the “Enthused and Confident”


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Network for the “Interested but Concerned”


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Benefits of Level of Traffic Stress Compared to Other Metrics

• Incorporates physically separated facilities (shared use paths, cycle tracks)

• Evaluates road segments and intersections based on perceived safety

• Data requirements permit a relatively quick network assessment

• Enables improvements to be prioritized to maximize connectivity for different user groups

• How well you are addressing target population

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David Anspacher

Montgomery County Planning Department

(301) 495-2191

[email protected]

www.montgomeryplanning.org/transportation/bikeways/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/transportation/bikeways/

settling the score: street performance measures

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