Bike Path and Street Name Signage Walt Seifert December 2015

Street name signage vs. wayfinding Wayfinding Street name signage

Bike path and street name signage Existing conditions Existing conditions Little or no street name signage at bike path/street or bike path/bike path intersections Little or no street name signage at bike path/street or bike path/bike path intersections No identification of bridge or street overcrossings of bike paths No identification of bridge or street overcrossings of bike paths

Bike path and street name signage Existing guidance in MUTCD (CA) Existing guidance in MUTCD (CA) Intersection signs Intersection signs Section 2D.43 recommends D3-1 or D3-1a or G7-1(CA) street name signs “in urban areas at all street intersections” Section 2D.43 recommends D3-1 or D3-1a or G7-1(CA) street name signs “in urban areas at all street intersections” Shared use (bike) path intersections not specifically mentioned Shared use (bike) path intersections not specifically mentioned Part 9 on bicycle facilities has one mention of D3-1 street name signs (in a list of guide signs). Figure 9B-4 (Guide Signs and Plaques) includes a street name sign image. Part 9 on bicycle facilities has one mention of D3-1 street name signs (in a list of guide signs). Figure 9B-4 (Guide Signs and Plaques) includes a street name sign image. No specific guidance given and street name signs are not included in Figures 9B-5 or 9B-7 which illustrate signage for bike path intersections No specific guidance given and street name signs are not included in Figures 9B-5 or 9B-7 which illustrate signage for bike path intersections Bridge/overcrossing signs Bridge/overcrossing signs No guidance No guidance

Bike path and street name signage Proposal for intersections Proposal for intersections Make bike path intersection signs mandatory Make bike path intersection signs mandatory Use same signs as at street intersections Use same signs as at street intersections Bike paths will need names Bike paths will need names Use same color palette as existing street name signs Use same color palette as existing street name signs Change MUTCD sections accordingly Change MUTCD sections accordingly

Bike path and street name signage Bike path intersection signage benefits Bike path intersection signage benefits Clarity in MUTCD: eliminates Chapter 2 ambiguity Clarity in MUTCD: eliminates Chapter 2 ambiguity Standardize intersection signage Standardize intersection signage Equity: respect for bicycling as transportation mode Equity: respect for bicycling as transportation mode Wayfinding: reduce confusion, anxiety and out-of-direction travel Wayfinding: reduce confusion, anxiety and out-of-direction travel Assist emergency services in finding locations Assist emergency services in finding locations Promotion of bicycling Promotion of bicycling Help meet Caltrans goal to triple number of bike trips by 2020 Help meet Caltrans goal to triple number of bike trips by 2020

Bike path and street name signage Proposal for bridges/overcrossing Proposal for bridges/overcrossing Attach street name sign to overcrossing Attach street name sign to overcrossing Size according to distance from bike path Size according to distance from bike path Match jurisdiction’s colors for name signs Match jurisdiction’s colors for name signs

Bike path and street name signage Bridge/overcrossing signage benefits Bridge/overcrossing signage benefits Sign on structure does not add clutter and may have aesthetic benefit Sign on structure does not add clutter and may have aesthetic benefit Wayfinding Wayfinding Assist emergency services in finding locations Assist emergency services in finding locations Help meet Caltrans goal to triple levels of bicycling Help meet Caltrans goal to triple levels of bicycling

Bike path and street name signage Caltrans concerns Caltrans concerns Attachment: drilling in Caltrans’ structure prohibited Attachment: drilling in Caltrans’ structure prohibited Maintenance: burden of sign upkeep Maintenance: burden of sign upkeep Cost: conceivably quite expensive Cost: conceivably quite expensive

Bike path and street name signage Bridge/overcrossing signs options in light of Caltrans concerns Bridge/overcrossing signs options in light of Caltrans concerns Exempt all Caltrans’ facilities Exempt all Caltrans’ facilities Use pole mounted signs Use pole mounted signs Use route shields for Interstates and state highways instead of street names Use route shields for Interstates and state highways instead of street names Exempt Interstate and other freeway crossings (as they generally cannot be accessed by bicyclists) Exempt Interstate and other freeway crossings (as they generally cannot be accessed by bicyclists) Make local jurisdictions responsible for maintenance Make local jurisdictions responsible for maintenance Make signage optional for Caltrans and local facilities Make signage optional for Caltrans and local facilities