1. After the NACTO Guide
Now I’m going to discuss the options available within the NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide

2. Issue 1: No connectivity for EB cyclists
5th St
W Peachtree St
One Way
Issue 1: No safe and legal connectivity for eastbound cyclists
Eastbound cyclists who wish to use the bicycle lanes along 5th St must ride against traffic on W Peachtree St for ½ block (either on the sidewalk or in the travel lanes)
If we could rebuild the intersection, a contraflow bicycle lane would likely be installed, but funding for such a project is unavailable
5th St

3. Contra-Flow Raised Cycle Track
Solution: Contra-Flow Raised Cycle Track
Uses existing capacity on the wide sidewalk to accommodate southbound cyclists
Very intuitive movement; most are already making same move
Does not require moving curb or disturbing street trees, traffic signal mast arms or any street furniture
Provides new ramps at either end of cycle track to separate cyclists from pedestrians

4. Signal Actuation & Detection
Solution: Signal Actuation & Detection
Will provide new push button accessible to eastbound cyclists waiting on new ramp to cross West Peachtree Street
No need for new bicycle signal head as signal head already exists from driveway that was removed
Actuates existing phase for 5th Street; does not conflict with westbound motor vehicle movement

5. Issue 2: Unsafe left turn for NB/WB cyclists
5th St
W Peachtree St
Issue 2: Northbound to westbound left turn conflicts
Because of intersection offset cyclists traveling westbound on 5th St must wait for green signal and very quickly traverse intersection, crossing four travel lanes all at once, while watching for right-turning vehicles
Northbound cyclists on W Peachtree St wishing to turn left must cross these four lanes while traffic is moving alongside them; carefully judging the gaps between vehicles
Many elect to ride northbound on sidewalk and cross as a pedestrian
5th St

6. Two-stage Turn Queue Box
Solution: Two-stage Turn Queue Box
Cyclists traveling west on 5th St and north on W Peachtree St will use a new left-turn queue box to the right of the existing bike lane
Curb will be moved five feet to the east
Crossing will be marked in green paint and advanced warning signage will be installed on eastbound 5th St
More experienced cyclists will still be able to make traditional left turn

7. (Bicycle) Signal Head Solution: (Bicycle) Signal Head
Traditional small signal head will be installed facing the new queue box (no need for special bicycle signal)
Will be activated by new push button accessible to westbound cyclists waiting in queue box
Actuates existing phase for 5th St; conflicts with westbound motor vehicle movement
May implement leading bicycle phase to allow cyclists to “claim” the intersection

8. Site Two: 14th St at Juniper St Area Overview
North
Midtown
Piedmont Park
Newly installed westbound conventional bike lane along 14th St; ends at Juniper St
Plans for southbound bicycle lane on Juniper St
Within heart of Midtown business district
Piedmont Park immediately to the east
Downtown

9. Issue: Unsafe left turn for WB/SB cyclists
Issue: westbound to southbound left turn conflicts
Bicycle lane will continue to the south along Juniper St; requiring a left turn
Traffic signal has separate through and left-turn phases; requiring left turning cyclists to cross moving through-lane to turn left with green arrow, or
Merge from bicycle lane across travel lane before intersection

10. Two-stage Turn Queue Box
Solution: Two-stage Turn Queue Box
Cyclists traveling west on 14th Street will use a new left-turn queue box past the intersection
Crossing will be activated by new push button accessible to southbound cyclists waiting in queue box
Actuates existing phase for driveway (motor vehicles and pedestrians)
Westbound through cyclists will move into the travel lane in advance of intersection
More experienced cyclists will still be able to make traditional left-turn through merging in advance of the intersection

11. Site Three: Juniper St b/w North & 14th Area Overview
Downtown
Midtown
Streetscape project along Juniper Street between North Avenue and 14th Street
Southbound multi-lane roadway; part of one-way couplet
Intersects with a Core Bicycle Connection and three Secondary Bicycle Connections
Piedmont Park

12. Issue 1: Appeal to interested but concerned
Issue: Create a design that attracts new cyclists (especially the “interested but concerned” contingent)
Currently a four-lane southbound one-way street through a primarily residential high-density neighborhood
Off-peak on-street parking on both sides of street
Plans for a streetscape project include adding a southbound bicycle lane using AASHTO and MUTCD standard design tools
Juniper St

13. Buffered Bike Lane/Cycle Track
Solution: Buffered Bike Lane or Cycle Track
Currently proposed as a buffered bike lane with a two-foot striped buffer
Discussing conversion to a one-way protected cycle track or raised cycle track; providing more protection for cyclists
Have used NACTO design guide in discussions
All options would provide additional horizontal or vertical separation between cyclists and nearest travel lane (vs. convention bike lane)
Plan to analyze the tradeoffs of both options (comfort vs. maintenance vs. cost)

14. Issue 2: Entering bike lane/cycle track
Juniper St
Issue: Cyclists approaching Juniper St will need to turn left across travel lanes to enter new buffered bike lane or cycle track
Design currently has no special accommodations for left-turning cyclists (even at Core and Secondary Bicycle Connections)
Results in disconnected network
5th St

15. Bike Boxes Solution: Bike Boxes
In discussions with designer regarding addition of bike boxes; especially at intersections with Core and Secondary Bicycle Connections
Would provide protected storage area for left-turning cyclists approaching red signal (which is usually the case)
Have used NACTO design guide in discussions

16. NACTO Guide Elements Used
Example City of Atlanta Projects
Bike Boxes
Buffered Bike Lanes
Colored Bike Facilities
Intersection Crossing Markings
Raised Cycle Tracks
(Bicycle) Signal Heads and Actuation
Two Stage Turn Queue Boxes
Other City of Atlanta Projects
Contra-Flow Bike Lanes
Conventional Bike Lanes
Two-way Cycle Tracks
Shared Lane Markings

17. Urban Bikeway Design Guide Phase II
A second of phase of the bike guide is currently under development and will look more closely at materials, more state-of-the-practice designs, and updates based on this quickly evolving field.

18. Q & A Joshuah D. Mello, AICP
As a closing note, I encourage states, cities, and towns around the United States to use, embrace, and adopt this resource in their efforts to promote sustainable transportation in their continued effort to make cycling a mainstream form of commuter transportation in cities across America.
Joshuah D. Mello, AICP
Assistant Director for Transportation Planning
City of Atlanta, Office of Planning