Ramsey 2040 Comprehensive Plan No Appendices (2)

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83 Roadway Crossing Improvements for Bicycling and Walking Through public outreach, a number of intersections and other locations throughout the city have been identified for potential improvements based on safety issues for crossing pedestrians and bicyclists. In these locations, potential improvements could be made by adding or improving pavement markings or signals, constructing traffic calming elements, shortening crossing distances, and/or providing pedestrian refuges. In most cases, addition of these features would be evaluated and conducted as opportunities arise. For example, crossing improvements would be considered in concert with adjacent roadway improvements or as development/redevelopment occurs in an area. Non-Motorized Transportation Design Considerations Design dimensions for sidewalks are recommended to be five-feet or wider, with a minimum of a four-foot-wide boulevard between the sidewalk and the curb. Increased separation improves pedestrian comfort and provides space for street signs and snow storage. Design considerations for bicycle facilities are somewhat more complicated due to the hierarchy of facility types. In order of their ability to provide a comfortable bicycling environment from largest improvement to smallest, facilities include: off-street facilities, protected bikeways, buffered bicycle lanes, conventional bicycle lanes, bicycle boulevards, and wide paved shoulders. Figure 8 shows examples of these facility types. Multi-use trails are recommended to be a minimum of eight-feet wide. Regional trails are recommended to be a minimum of ten-feet wide due to higher use and the design requirements to comply with federal funding. Trails must have a two-foot wide clear zone on either side to reduce hazards for bicyclists and provide a recovery zone if a bicyclist leaves the edge of the trail. The clear zone can be paved or turf surface. No signs, furnishings, trees, or other obstructions can be in the clear zone. Paved shoulders should be a minimum of four-feet wide if intended for bicycle and pedestrian use. Four-foot wide shoulders are adequate on streets with traffic volumes below 1,000 vehicles per day. Six- to eight-foot shoulders are recommended when traffic volumes exceed 1,000 vehicles per day. A wider shoulder improves pedestrian and bicyclist safety and comfort when vehicle traffic speeds and volumes are higher. As non-motorized facilities are planned and designed, the city should consult additional planning and design resources, including: • Minnesota’s Best Practices for Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety, MnDOT • Bikeway Facility Design Manual, MnDOT • Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, MnDOT • NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, Second Edition, National Association of City Transportation Officials • Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials • Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials • Complete Streets Implementation Resource Guide for Minnesota Local Agencies, MnDOT • Public Rights of Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG), US Access Board