Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 01/12/1995

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D, SIGNALS Traffic signals used solely for bicyclists ~ be rare; however, when signals are involved on the bike route, the following comments should be considered: - Where a bikeway is a separate facility adjacent to the road, the bicyclist can be considered as a pedes- trian at cross road intersections and pedestrian indications should be provided if not present at existing signals. - Warrants used for motor vehicles are considered appropriate for use in determining the need for signals to serve bicyc]ists. - Generally bicycles can cross intersections under the same signal dining arrangement as motor vehicles. But at signalized inter~ctions of mult/hne streets, bicyclists may have difficulties crossing, if the clearance interval (amber interval plus optional all-red interval) is not of adequate duration. Extremely short clearance intervals should not be used. - On-road bikeways will require engineering judg- ment to determine if clearance intervals should be modified to allow a more adequate clearance interval for bicyclists to clear the intersection. -Clearance time required for bicycles should be evaluated as a standard practice for each signalized intersection along a bikeway. A bicyclist's speed, repre- sentative of bikers' ages and travel characteristics for each specific case, should be ut/l/zed /n the calculations. The number of seconds required to cross a street can then be determined. To th/s figure will be added the amount of time necessary for the bicyclist to perceive, react and brake to a stop without entering the intersection. - At installations where only programmed vehicle signals are used, special attention should be given to adjust- lng the signals so bicycles on the regular bicycle lanes or travel paths can see the signals. If programmed signals cannot be aimed to serve the bicyclist, then separate sig- nals shall be provided. - At low volume intersections utilizing semi.actu- ated controllers, it may be necessary to provide special "pedestrian type" detectors (pedestrian pushbuttons) for bicyclists because the motor vehicle detectors normally will not detect bicycles. E. REFERENCES The Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Part IX Traffic Controls for Bicycle Facilities, should be reviewed to determine proper use and installa- tion of traffic control devices. Ali traffic control devices installed must conform to this manual under the pro- vimons of Minnesota Statutes 169.06. BI KEWAYS The Standard Signs Manual Parts 1, 2, and 3 contain · detail drawings of all approved traffic signs. · Both of the above-mentioned manuals are available from Mm/DOT Traffic Engineering Section, St. Paul, free of charge to all governmental road authorities in the State. Private firms may purchase the manuals at a nominal fee. Technical assistance on the use and application of traffic control devices on bikeways i~ also available from the Mm/DOT District Traffic Engdneers and the Traffic Eh. gineermg Section ~taff. F. LAWS Listed below are pertinent sections of the Minnesota Motor Veh/cle and Traffic Laws current as of 1981. CHAPTER 169 ' MINNESOTA HIGHWAY TRAFFIC REGULATION 169.01 DEFINITIONS. SuSdivision l. Terms. For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section shall have the meanings ascribed to them. Sub& 51. Bicycle. "Bicycle" means every device pro- polled solely by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels except scooters and similar devices and including any device generally recogmzed as a bicycle though equipped with two front or rear wheels. Subd. 62. Bicycle lanes and ways. The terms "Bicycle lane" and "Bicycle way" shall have the meanings ascribed to them in section 160.263. t69.06 SIGNS, SIGNALS, MARKINGS. Subddvision 1. Uniform systems. The commissioner shall adopt a manual and specifications for a uniform system of traffic.control devices consistent with the provisions of this chapter /or use upon highways within this state. Such uniform system shall correlate with and so far as possible conform to the system then current as approved by the American Associ- ation of State Highway Officials. The adoption of the manual and specifications by the commissioner as herein provided is specifically exempted from the provisions and requirements of Minnesota Statutes section 15.0411 to 15.0422 and acts amendatory thereto. Subd. 2. Placement and maintenance on trunk highways. The commissioner shaft place and maintain such traff':c. control devices, conforming to the manual and specifica. tions, upon all state trunk highways as he shall deem necessary to inch'cate and to carry out the provisions of this chapter or to regulate, warn, or guide traffic. The commis- sioner may construct and maintain signs at the entrance of each city, which sign shall have placed thereon the name o£ the city, and the population thereo£. The com. missioner may construct and maintain other directional siqns upon the trunk highways and such signs shall be I ! I Ii I I I ! I I I I I I I