TRCLC 14-9

Alternatives for Providing a Safe Passage for Non-Motorized Traffic across an Existing Highway Bridge

  • PIs: Attanayake – Western Michigan University
  • Project Period: September 1, 2014 – August 31, 2015 (12 months)

Recently, there is an emphasis on developing integrated transportation systems with off-road shared use paths and on-road facilities. In most cases, providing a safe passage for non-motorized traffic across an existing highway bridge is a challenge. Geometry, adjacent land use, and existing traffic conditions are leading factors when the deck or superstructure replacement or bridge reconstruction is not an option. A majority of the published non-motorized transportation plans does not provide clear guidelines or methodologies for integrating existing bridges into the non-motorized facilities when different conditions exist.  Hence, there is a pressing need of identifying alternatives for providing a safe passage for non-motorized traffic across an existing highway bridge.  The objective of this research is to develop guidelines and methodologies for providing a safe passage for non-motorized traffic across an existing bridge.

Research Report