Agenda - 10-06-2011 - 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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19 POLICY AND PROCEDURE l~%IANUAL SIDEWALKS 28/ 1 unpracticed design modifications. Typically, relocated pedestrian movements should be no more than 800 meters (0.5 miles) away from the original path of the pedestrians. The 800 meter distance is a one way distance, not around-trip distance. CONSTRUCTION PROCESS During the construction phase of a project, there may be times when it is not possible to maintain all pedestrian movements through the entire construction- process. When necessary,. there may be temporary- barriers to pedestrian movements in the- work_zone. EXAMPLE Far example,. the "XYZ" Expressway is a new controlled access freeway through an established urban area. A major thoroughfare, with sidewalks which will have a new interchange with the Expressway, connects a neighborhood on the north side of the Expressway with a hospital on the south side of the Expressway. Because the proposed interchange for the major thor-oughfare is aSingle-Point-Diamond design with free flowing -ramps in all four -quadrants, there is na safe way for a pedestrian to cross the Expressway without conflicting with free=flowing traffic. Although there is a nearby railroad bridge over the Expressway, pedestrians are prohibited from that bridge because it was not designed to accommodate both trains and pedestrians. Consequently, residents who live in a neighborhood a few blocks from the hospital will now need to drive to the hospital or walk through afree-flowing traffic lane. In this example-the design engineer- should make every reasonable effort to design this interchange to accommodate the automobile traffic,, and not create a_ barrier for pedestrian movements. If the interchange design requires free-flow ramps as this Single- Point-Diamond desi-gn does, the engineer should determine if it is possible for pedestrians to cross the free-flow traffic lanes. If the peak hour traffic flow has acceptable gaps to allow pedestrians to cross safely, the ramps will not be considered a barrier. However, if traffic volumes or pedestrian volumes are too great, an alternative pedestrian facility should be considered. If accommodating pedestrians at the interchange will compromise safety or .good engineering judgment, the engineer should consider if shifting the pedestrian movement away from the interchange is a feasible alternative. QUANTIFYING THE NEED FOR PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES Section "e" of the Pedestrian Policy states: "The Department recognizes there are certain situations in which pedestrian facilities provide significant benefits in the movement of pedestrian traffic... ". If a municipality would like the DOT to consider a project for "significant benefits," the municipality is responsible for collecting any necessary information and submitting a written request prior to the initiation of a planning study. The EFF. DATE 12/1/'6 7 REV. DATE 4/lb/O1