Knowledge CentreTechnical Resources SearchConference PapersTHE PEMBINA HIGHWAY BUFFERED BIKE LANES PROJECT – A SOLUTION TO MANAGING CYLCISTS, BUSES AND PEDESTRIANS AT TRANSIT STOPS

THE PEMBINA HIGHWAY BUFFERED BIKE LANES PROJECT – A SOLUTION TO MANAGING CYLCISTS, BUSES AND PEDESTRIANS AT TRANSIT STOPS

Abstract

Pembina Highway is a vital north-south link in the City of Winnipeg’s Regional Transportation Network connecting the University of Manitoba, the Central Business District, the Perimeter Highway and the Inner Ring Strategic Road Network. It is considered a mixed use corridor and includes diverse multi-family housing options. The subject section of Pembina Highway between Chevrier Boulevard and Plaza Drive is a six-lane divided arterial road and truck route with approximately 48,000 vehicles per weekday, over 600 transit buses per weekday, highly utilized by cyclists and there is moderately high pedestrian activity. Prior to 2012, this portion of Pembina Highway was a critical gap in the City’s Active Transportation Network. With limited alternative streets available to cyclists that carry less vehicular traffic, Pembina Highway needed a dedicated facility to accommodate the cycling demand. Environmental scans of other jurisdictions revealed that the existing traffic and road characteristics of Pembina Highway are quite unique. Through various decision making techniques and stakeholder consultations, the City determined that a buffered bike lane would be the optimal solution. A design solution was also required to manage the high volumes of buses and pedestrians with cyclists at the transit stop locations. One example from Portland and a bus-stop island concept utilized by Austroads set the stage, showing the bus stop intercepting the buffered bike lane with the cyclists going behind the bus-stop and in front of the sidewalk. The City took this concept, and further developed it to: • Accommodate local conditions and climate for use and maintenance; • Ensure Transit requirements for bus platforms were met; • Improve way-finding measures to aid pedestrians with vision impairments; • Modify the geometry to ensure cyclists slow down; • Reduce the potential for pedestrian and cyclist conflict at the stop. The construction of this project is currently substantially complete with total completion expected in the spring of 2013. This paper will present the results of a comprehensive process to validate the design and engineering effectiveness, and provide a detailed description of the following: • Geometric design and rationale behind the detailed design of the City’s Buffered Bike Lane Bus Stop; • Innovative methods used for wayfinding; • A description of the pavement markings; • Comprehensive stakeholder involvement; • Snow clearing methods, and; • Recommendations for next steps. 

Conference Paper Details

Session title:
GEOMETRIC DESIGN
Author(s):
Scott Suderman
Judy Redmond
Topics:
Environmental issues, Environmental legislation
Year:
2013