All entries for Sunday 08 September 2013

Road design standards

The Sustrans Route has been designed to Transport for London and Sustrans guidelines, by Jaime Uriarte, Churchman Architects:

http://churchmanlandscapearchitects.co.uk

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/businessandpartners/lcds_chapter5.pdf

5.2.3

“Right-turning cyclists are exposed to danger when turning into or out of a minor road, both on the approach and when crossing. Turning movements both into and out of the junctions in all directions must be considered, not just on designated cycle routes. If satisfactory layouts cannot be achieved then small (cycle friendly) roundabouts or, as a last resort, signals, may be appropriate.”

5.2.4

“Acceptable solutions may include:

Central islands on the main road to assist cyclists turning in and out of side roads (can include short offside cycle lane)

Central refuges or entry treatments on side roads.

Junction tables to slow motor vehicles

Kerb realignment and build-outs to improve visibility, reduce motor traffic speeds and prevent parking close to the junction

Separate cycle approach lanes where there are high vehicle flows

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/businessandpartners/lcds_chapter4.pdf

Figure 4 suggests Cycle Lanes with traffic calming (i.e. raised table) might be viable.”

4.2.5

“Cycle lanes as such appear to have little impact on road safety targets, but *there is clear evidence of safety benefits in continuing lanes across junctions. *“

4.2.12

Gives min. traffic lane widths (I think the road fails here) and cycle lane widths (1.5 m, not marked currently, but really must be).
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I have proposed making Uni Road one-way to traffic north-south which would allow provision of 1.5 m cycle lanes and help with problems at the Piazza entrance onto Uni Road, but it might have to be two-way again at Car Park 7 junction.

I have located the DFT Design Manual which must have some force and Vol 6 Sect 3 Part 5TA 90/05 states in 3.6:

“Any crossing of a trafficked road should be located such that drivers of vehicles have full visibility of NMUs wishing to use the crossing point. Desirable minimum SSD to TD 9 (DMRB 6.1.1) should be available for drivers on the highway approaching an NMU crossing point. “

Leaving aside the fact the road is not wide enough to accomodate two cars and a cyclist, never mind a bus on that bend, the lines of sight are obstructed by mature trees to the left and there is no visibility of approaching traffic for a cyclist until they are about 10 metres or so from the proposed junction.

Andrew Marsh : 08 Sep 2013 21:33 |  Tags: Bicycle User Group Bug Cycle Cycling Environment Strategy Transport |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Sustrans Route Planning Application

Writing about web page http://planning.coventry.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=747767

Planning application and documents here:

http://planning.coventry.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=747767

Architects drawings are here:

http://planning.coventry.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName=1071387

Please note the drawings of the right hand turn at Sports Centre corner are inaccurate in the dimensions of the traffic lanes, yet these have been interpreted literally in the version on the ground.

This is where the road markings (as painted on Friday 6 September 2013) place a cyclist turning right. Whilst observing traffic on this corner (buses, taxis and cars) the cyclist looked extremely vulnerable and within touching distance of buses. Before cyclist took up this position we observed that 9 out of 10 vehicles cornering here cut across the white hatching markings on this bend.

Andrew Marsh : 08 Sep 2013 14:24 |  Tags: Bicycle User Group Bug Cycle Cycling Environment Strategy Transport Transport Strategy Group |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem