[MissoulaGov] proposal for orange st. bike lane- short term

[Patrick Klemz]

We're probably not going to hit this up again, at least column-wise,  
but I want you all to know about a response I got from the Etc. a few  
weeks back.

Wayne Gravatt told me the lane widths were determined from preset  
minimum guidelines and the city would be apprehensive to narrow them  
further. When I pressed him about taking out the left turn lane, he  
indicated that was a possibility. Maybe narrowing the lanes would be  
possible also; perhaps the guidelines are too conservative? Those are  
two things that could be explored if someone so chose.

Whatever happens, somebody tell them to clean up the glass when they  
repave Orange. It's starting to look like the set from the Blues  
Brothers chase scene.

-patrick, indy


On Jul 17, 2008, at 11:15 AM, Bob Giordano wrote:


> Since Orange St. will be repaved again (after asphalt cures) in a  

> couple

> weeks, here is a way to change the current narrow shoulder into a  

> usable

> bike lane.  -Bob G, mist

>

>

> -----------------------------------------------

> current measurement (from center of lane lines) mid-block on orange:

>

> gutter pan 1'4", 'shoulder' 2'6", outer lane 10', inner lane 10',  

> center

> lane 11'1", inner lane 10', outer lane 9'10", shoulder 2'11",  

> gutter pan

> 1'4".

>

> total: 59'2"

>

> Restripe Proposal:

>

> gutter pan 8", bike lane 4'4", outer lane 9'9", inner lane 9'9",  

> center

> lane 10'2", repeat.

>

> total: 59'2"

>

> ----

> Note: several sections of traffic lanes on the Higgins Bridge are  

> 9'6" and

> 9'9".  When next to a 5' bike lane (at least 4' of clear riding  

> space),

> these narrower lane widths work safely and efficiently.

>

> There are many references to _increasing_ crashes/severity as lane

> width increases.  Consider:

>

>> "The pattern in the coefficients for both the fatality and injury  

>> models

>> is quite clear. When there are more arterial and collector lane  

>> widths of

>> 12 ft or more, traffic fatalities and injuries increase"

>>

>> Accident Analysis & Prevention

>> Volume 35, Issue 4, July 2003, Pages 599-611

>>

>> The AASHTO green book allows all above widths for Orange St.

>>

>> The current orange configuration seems dangerous with the narrow

>> shoulder.

>

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Patrick M. Klemz
Missoula Independent
w: 406.543.6609 x109
c: 406.214.2425
pklemz at missoulanews.com



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