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Page 32-Orange County,NC I Bicycle&Pedestrian Plan Bicycle&Pedestrian Plan I Orange County,NC-Page 33 User Comfort and Level of Traffic Stress NMI y � _ t. Road type and speed shape how it One tool commonly used to conditions across Orange County. feels,and how safe it is,to walk or evaluate user comfort is Level Many rural roads in unincorporated bike.On slower,quieter roads with of Traffic Stress(LTS). LTS helps areas were identified as higher stress `" � • few vehicles,it may be fine for people transportation agencies understand environments due to factors such as: :. • • • • to walk or ride a bike even without how comfortable a roadway may feel _ Higher vehicle speeds, a formal sidewalk or bike lane. But for different types of riders based on faster roads,especially those with roadway speed,traffic volume,and , Narrow shoulders, V` J • . . . - high traffic volumes or wide lanes, separation from vehicle traffic. require more infrastructure to make 45 Limited separation from traffic, - - • • -SHARE THe LTS model categorizes facilities HE RDAD people feel comfortable and safe. and •• •• • • ' At 40 miles per hour or more,even a on a scale from LTS 1(comfortable - - minor collision can have life-altering for all users)to LTS 4(comfortable > Longer crossing distances. only for highly experienced riders). consequences. q This does not mean every Roadways with lower speeds and The Federal Highway Administration greater separation from traffic road requires the same type of :- (FHWA)has found that the chance are generally considered lower infrastructure. Instead,it highlights of a pedestrian dying in a crash stress and more comfortable for a the importance of selecting • - • • • - increases dramatically as vehicle wider range of users. Higher-speed improvements appropriate to the • _ speed increases,from 10%at 25 mph roads with narrow shoulders or little roadway context and the people CH.I to 75%at 50 mph or above(FHWA separation from traffic are generally expected to use the corridor. In Safety Effects of Speed). considered higher stress and are some locations,shoulder widening typically comfortable only for more or crossing improvements may That is why separation from traffic— experienced riders. meaningfully improve comfor, like wider shoulders,sidewalks,or and safety. In others,sidepat sidepaths—is often essential for As part of this plan,previously separated facilities may be m LU safety,especially where people are developed LTS mapping from the appropriate. ms walking or biking near fast-moving Triangle West TPO was reviewed r F vehicles. to better understand bicycling Table 2-A:Facility Types by Comfort Level (LTS)and Intended Users- 1 Facility Type LTS Level Comfort Rating Intended Users " ALL9WE6 USE Of • �� - FULL LANE _ *M Sidepath LTS 1 Very High I users,including children,seniors,and people — obility impairments Sidewalk LTS 1 Very High de ns of all ages and abilities Buffered Bicycle Lane LTS 1-2 High %idenr5clults and less-experienced riders Standard Bicycle Lane LTS 2-3 Moderate gulTr riders who are comfortable with traffic (unbuffered) Paved Shoulder(rural) LTS 3-4 to dera M11111119xperienced bicyclists only Shared Lane/Sharrow LTS 4 jF1 Low Strong and fearless bicyclists only •