CDOT Resolution TC-747 of 06/17/1999

This resolution was approved by the Transportation Commission on June 17th, 1999.

Resolution Number TC-747
WHEREAS, the Transportation Commission adopted the 12 Statewide Transportation Policies on April 21, 1994, reaffirmed on November 24, 1996, which included policy statements on Intermodalism, Safety, and Balance Quality of Life Factors, and
Whereas, bicycling and walking are integral components of Colorado’s multimodal transportation system and shall be considered when scoping all CDOT projects; and
WHEREAS, paved shoulders have multiple benefits and are useful for safety, for stranded and slow-moving vehicles, and for maintaining the structural integrity of the roadway; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Commission’s Intermodal and Safety Committee met with staff on May 18, 1999 for discussion on shoulder standards and improvements, and
WHEREAS, discussion concluded that bicycle safety should be balanced with vehicular safety, and
WHEREAS, there is a need to modify the list of high priority bicycle corridors to better reflect bicycle use and to focus resources; and
WHEREAS, the Commission also stated that shoulders should be an integral transportation element of transportation projects; efforts to expand shoulders should not be restricted, even if minimum standards cannot be met, and
WHEREAS, policies, procedures and safety guidelines have been developed and revised regarding shoulder improvements along state highways, and have been reviewed by the Executive Management Team and the Transportation Commission of Colorado.
THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that Policy Directive 902.0, entitled Shoulder Policy, is adopted as submitted in the standard form for use by the CDOT.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the following recommendations be adopted by the Transportation Commission of Colorado and implemented by the CDOT:
1. Shoulder improvements shall be scoped into CDOT new construction/reconstruction projects and meet AASHTO design guidelines and CDOT M standards where practical.
Shoulder improvements should be included in all new alignment, major reconstruction; bridge replacements, reconstruction or rehabilitation; and minor widening. Following AASHTO standards and guidelines is preferred, but there should be other considerations that may allow variances from these standards.
Existing shoulders shall be included in resurfacing projects where needed.

2. Region and bicycle/pedestrian program staff, with input from the bicycle community, are directed to evaluate the State Highway system for accommodation of rumble strips and their impact to bicycle use of shoulders. Where rumble strips are installed, they shall be implemented in accordance with AASHTO standards and guidelines, except as indicated herein:
Paved shoulders should be at least 6 feet wide to accommodate bicycle travel and rumble strips along High Priority Bicycle Corridors.
Rumble strips may be installed on shoulders which are 4 feet or narrower only when there is a history of run-off-the-road crashes consistent with the system-wide evaluation.
3. Understanding that bicycling is allowed on most state highways, the magnitude of the system requires that improvements be prioritized. The High Priority Bicycle Corridors (HPBC) identified in the Statewide Plan should be revised to identify both higher and lower priority bicycle corridors with input form the TPRs, MPOs and the bicycling community and the CDOT bicycle/pedestrian program. The purpose of this revision includes:
Planning for focusing resources for future improvements
Identifying and designating bicycle routes
Identifying potential areas of conflict between bicycle use and rumble strips
Identifying preferred and/or high use bicycle corridors
Identifying major bicycle commuter corridors
4. Once the HPBC is defined, the Commission will review maintenance practices, Until then, existing practices shall be followed except that there may be additional sweeping for special bicycle events.