As with all transportation projects, successful pedestrian and bicyclist facilities must consider people's mobility and safety needs. While every person is a pedestrian, and not all are bicyclists, both groups' needs are generally very simple and similar to those of motorists: access to destinations, clearly marked and visible roadway markings and signage, properly designed and maintained, with a minimum of barriers to mobility.
Building it Right the First Time
There are a variety of barriers that pedestrians and bicyclists must overcome, including:
— Wide arterials and thoroughfares with infrequent signalized intersections
and pedestrian crossings
— Freeway and toll road crossings and interchanges without sidewalks
or pedestrian lighting
— Local roadways that lack sidewalks and crosswalks,
forcing pedestrians into the street
— Construction projects that block pedestrian and bicycle access
through the construction zone
— Lack of access to transit, no bicycle racks on transit buses
Integrating Better Pedestrian and Bicyclist Accommodations
Recognizing that integrating better pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations into the region's transportation system will take some time, H-GAC has adopted the following three-pronged practical approach:
(1) Include in Initial Project Design
The key to developing cost-effective pedestrian bicyclist accommodations on roadways is to incorporate them into the initial project design. To promote this practice, H-GAC has developed guidelines and procedures to ensure that bicycle and pedestrian considerations are included in projects submitted for funding consideration in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). These guidelines address inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian accommodation in roadway and bridge projects at the appropriate point in the project development process. The TIP submittal process now requires documentation of bicycle and pedestrian considerations: Pedestrian Bicycle Design Guidelines (XLS) 16K.
(2) Retrofit Selectively
H-GAC also offers technical assistance to communities, transportation agencies and organizations to address pedestrian and bicyclist needs and safety issues. Staff is available on request to perform 'accommodation reviews' and safety audits on roadway projects. The focus of this assistance is to provide low-cost solutions for removing barriers, reducing conflicts between pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles and ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(3) Invest Strategically
H-GAC's Pedestrian and Bicyclist Special Districts Study (PDF, 22 MB) has targeted those areas of the region which appear to have the greatest potential for significant growth in bicycle and pedestrian travel. This study can be used to guide strategic investments in high yield locations in the eight counties of the Houston-Galveston metropolitan area. To view the full study, visit the publications page. From this study, H-GAC has begun a series of studies and conceptual plans for improvements in the highest ranking of these districts. Studies have been performed for the Third Ward, Gulfton and Montrose districts of the City of Houston and for Galveston Island and the Sugar Land Town Center. The studies have resulted in two pedestrian improvement projects that have been selected for funding as part of the 2006-2008 TIP. In addition, the Special Districts program was awarded $3 million towards implementing projects as part of the 2006-2008 TIP.
Moving Forward
As H-GAC continues to move forward in our efforts to address pedestrian and bicyclist needs in our region, we are taking the following steps:
— Implement an education program aimed at the general public
— Enlist the support of businesses, local governments and the community
to promote bicycling and walking
— Update the regional pedestrian and bicycle facilities map, using standardized
nomenclature and line coding
— Continue to provide technical assistance to support local pedestrian
and bicycle planning efforts
— Conduct an educational campaign to encourage and promote improved bicycle
and pedestrian safety and design
— Interactive website to for commuting bicyclists, how to get started,
mapping commuter trips
More Information
Visit our publications page to get more information and see detailed pedestrian-bike studies. For further information or to request technical assistance, please address all inquiries to:
Cheryl Mergo
cheryl.mergo@h-gac.com
(713) 993-4520
Visit our page to get more information and see detailed pedestrian-bike studies. For further information or to request technical assistance, please address all inquiries to: Cheryl Mergo(713) 993-4520