What do you think of when you hear the term 'active transport'? No, it's not just a flashy buzz word, but an integral part of transport infrastructure design, with more focus being placed on this mode of transport than ever before.
"Active transport incorporates cycling, walking and other physically active ways of travelling that can be undertaken alone or combined with public transport" (TMR, 2022).
When designing or retrofitting active transport infrastructure, designers need to consider many different requirements that can create a safe, direct, and convenient journey for active transport users. These include:
- Connectivity to adjacent routes and key trip attractors
- Safety at conflict points such as street crossings
- Surfaces with good grip and are free of hazards
- Way finding signage
- Lighting.
Department of Transport and Main Roads has a comprehensive suite of technical publications that cater specifically to cyclists and pedestrians, complementing the national guideline Austroads Guide to Road Design (AGRD) Part 6A: Pedestrian and Cyclist Paths.
You can access this suite via TMR's website: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/Technical-standards-publications/Cycling-guidelines
Design considerations
The location of your path is always the best place to start when considering what's essential to creating a safe, direct and convenient journey for all of our active transport users. It's important to examine existing desire lines that are being followed by pedestrians and cyclists to understand key attractors and current demand. Designers can then examine features that may influence the preferred location of the path (i.e. retaining walls or other structures, rivers and creeks, potential for property resumptions, environmentally sensitive areas etc.).
By developing a long list of potential options and undertaking a Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) or Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats (SWOT) analysis, we will arrive at a balanced outcome for the location of your path.
Once you have your location confirmed, other elements that designers then must start to investigate include:
🏃♀️Widths
🏃♀️Curvature
🏃♀️Gradients
🏃♀️Clearances
🏃♀️Crossfall and drainage
🏃♀️Sight distance
As you can see, designing for safe active transport is no simple task! We must take all precautions possible to protect our vulnerable road users and provide facilities that encourage modal shift and a healthier community.
Treatments through intersections
Cyclists and pedestrians are considered vulnerable road users (VRUs), meaning they have little to no protection from crash forces should an incident occur. This means it is crucial to prioritise protection of VRUs at every stage of their journey, particularly at high-potential conflict points like intersections.
Information relating to the treatment of cyclists and pedestrians through intersections can be found within AGRD Parts 4A, 4B and 6A and in TMR's suite of cycling and pedestrian guidelines. Whilst each location is unique and may require differing treatments, there are several ways designers can provide safer infrastructure for VRUs:
🚲 Off-road paths incorporated into the intersection layout and signal phasing
🚲 On-road cycle paths to have adequate clearance to adjacent traffic, and linemarking to highlight potential conflict zones
🚲 Priority signage and linemarking
🚲 Larger splitter islands to accommodate VRUs
🚲 Kerb ramps oriented to the shortest possible route across the intersection
🚲 Raised priority crossings
Designated space on the departure side for all intersection types is also essential to avoid conflict with potentially merging traffic!
There are considerable benefits to designing for active transport users, whether it's tangible results such as a reduction in congestion, or intangible like improved environmental outcomes, active transport infrastructure can benefit everyone.
