Transport Design Wiki - User contributions [en]

Roads

2026-05-29T02:02:47Z

Leifbr: Init

== Introduction ==
Roads, usually referred to as '''collectors, arterials and freeways''' in the U.S., are roadways where through movements are prioritized over access movements. Roads are safer, faster, and have higher capacity per unit of area when access is properly managed. The main function of a road is to enable safe and efficient mobility for all road users, including those outside of a car.

== General Design Considerations ==
Access control.

Layout considerations for rural and suburban.

Minimizing complexity/conflict points

Minimizing maintenance costs, asphalt, land use.

Externalities

Matching perceived risk to actual risk.

== Urban Roads ==
''Urban Core'', ''Urban'' and ''Rural Town'' contexts
[[File:Urban road amagerbrogade.png|thumb|Example of an urban road (Amagerbrogade, Amager, Copenhagen)]]
[[File:Urban road new york ave.png|alt=Google Street View image of a six lane boulevard in NE Washington DC. The road has left turn restrictions, allowing it to be narrower, safer, and higher capacity.|thumb|Example of higher capacity urban road (New York Avenue, Washington DC)]]
Urban roadways are one of the most difficult challenges in transportation engineering, and the best solution for a given project will vary significantly depending on the local context. Higher density environments increase conflict points and externalities, creating uniquely difficult safety and economic challenges. Many urban roadways have high enough impacts on the success of the surrounding neighborhood that converting them to [[streets]] actually improves overall prosperity within the city. The rest of this section covers best practices for when the local comprehensive [[Network Planning|transportation plan]] has determined that providing a high performance facility for motor vehicles is worth the costs.

== Suburban Roads ==
''Suburban'' context

== Rural Roads ==
''Rural'' context
[[File:Rural road N34.jpg|thumb|Rural road with full access control and rumble strips.]]

File:Rural road N34.jpg

2026-05-28T21:39:35Z

Leifbr: Rural road with near full access control and effective safety features. Image from Google Street View of N34 in the Netherlands. 52.8611519, 6.8351979

== Summary ==
Rural road with near full access control and effective safety features. Image from Google Street View of N34 in the Netherlands. 52.8611519, 6.8351979
== Copyright status: ==

== Source: ==
Google Street View

File:Urban road new york ave.png

2026-05-28T20:51:24Z

Leifbr: Google Street View image of New York Avenue in Washington DC. This is an excellent example of urban road design. Reducing access movements by restricting left turns improves safety safety and efficiency, benefiting all road users compared to other designs with the same capacity. Captured September 2023. 38.9061107, -77.0124802

== Summary ==
Google Street View image of New York Avenue in Washington DC. This is an excellent example of urban road design. Reducing access movements by restricting left turns improves safety safety and efficiency, benefiting all road users compared to other designs with the same capacity.
Captured September 2023. 38.9061107, -77.0124802
== Copyright status: ==

== Licensing ==
{{other}}
== Source: ==
Google Street View

File:Urban road amagerbrogade.png

2026-05-28T20:45:11Z

Leifbr: Screenshot from Google Street View showing Amagerbrogade in Copenhagen. Captured in October 2024. 55.6612538, 12.6040333

== Summary ==
Screenshot from Google Street View showing Amagerbrogade in Copenhagen. Captured in October 2024. 55.6612538, 12.6040333

== Copyright status: ==

== Licensing ==
{{other}}
== Source: ==
Google Street View

N100 Veg-og Gateutforming

2026-05-20T00:49:05Z

Leifbr: Init

Norwegian roadway design manual for roadway layout and dimensions.

Shared Lane Marking

2026-05-19T12:11:33Z

Leifbr: wording

A '''shared lane marking''', also known as a ''sharrow'' is a lane marking depicting a bicycle intended to inform road users where bicycles are supposed to ride within the lane.

Common reasons for their use include

* Communicating to drivers that cyclists have a right to use the road
* Encouraging cyclists to use a specific part of the lane, such as the edge or center (taking the lane).

== Recommended Use and Limitations ==
Shared lane markings can be helpful as part of a [[Bike Boulevard]] or a shared space by assisting in communicating where bicycles are meant to ride within the lane.<ref>{{cite book|title=Urban Bikeway Design Guide|edition=3rd|date=2025|publisher=Island Press|author=National Association of City Transportation Officials|isbn=978-1-64283-384-3|at=|page=|section=3.2.1}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite book|title=Urban Bikeway Design Guide|edition=3rd|date=2025|publisher=Island Press|author=National Association of City Transportation Officials|isbn=978-1-64283-384-3|at=|page=|section=3.2.2}}</ref> See the articles on bike boulevards and shared spaces for specific guidance on where and when to apply shared lane markings.

Shared lane markings have historically been used on roadways with high traffic volumes or high speeds as a form of bikeway. This solution is no longer considered acceptable by most agencies, since it is generally not accessible to riders of [[All Ages & Abilities|all ages and abilities]] (AA&A).

According to the 2025 NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Manual, roadways where bikes and motor vehicles share a lane should have an [[wikipedia:Annual_average_daily_traffic|AADT]] of less than 2000 and a target speed of 20 mph or lower, as part of a bike boulevard or shared space. The guide explicitly states that shared lane markings on their own are not sufficient to create an AA&A bikeway.

The 2024 AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities states that sharrows should only be used as part of a bicycle boulevard or shared space. "By themselves, shared lane markings are not considered a bikeway because they do not change the geometric or operational conditions of the roadway to improve comfort and safety for bicyclists." {TODO cite 9.3.3. of bike guide)

TODO crow manual

TODO summary.

== References ==

All Ages & Abilities

2026-05-17T02:00:02Z

Leifbr: Init

'''All Ages & Abilities''' (AA&A) is a design philosophy centered around designing bike facilities that are accessible to a wider range of people than traditional vehicular cycling.

Shared Lane Marking

2026-05-17T01:57:54Z

Leifbr: /* References */ -> convert page numbers to sections.

A '''shared lane marking''', also known as a ''sharrow'' is a lane marking depicting a bicycle intended to inform road users where bicycles are supposed to ride within the lane.

Common reasons for their use include

* Communicating to drivers that cyclists have a right to use the road
* Encouraging cyclists to use a specific part of the lane, such as the edge or center (taking the lane).

== Recommended Use and Limitations ==
Shared lane markings can be helpful as part of a [[Bike Boulevard]] or a shared space by assisting in communicating where bicycles are meant to ride within the lane.<ref>{{cite book|title=Urban Bikeway Design Guide|edition=3rd|date=2025|publisher=Island Press|author=National Association of City Transportation Officials|isbn=978-1-64283-384-3|at=|page=|section=3.2.1}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite book|title=Urban Bikeway Design Guide|edition=3rd|date=2025|publisher=Island Press|author=National Association of City Transportation Officials|isbn=978-1-64283-384-3|at=|page=|section=3.2.2}}</ref> See the articles on bike boulevards and shared spaces for specific guidance on where and when to apply shared lane markings.

Shared lane markings have historically been used on roadways with high traffic volumes or high speeds as a form of bikeway, usually referred to as a sharrow. This solution is no longer considered an acceptable form of bikeway by most agencies, since it is generally not accessible to riders of [[All Ages & Abilities|all ages and abilities]] (AA&A).

According to the 2025 NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Manual, roadways where bikes and motor vehicles share a lane should have an [[wikipedia:Annual_average_daily_traffic|AADT]] of less than 2000 and a target speed of 20 mph or lower, as part of a bike boulevard or shared space. The guide explicitly states that shared lane markings on their own are not sufficient to create an AA&A bikeway.

The 2024 AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities states that sharrows should only be used as part of a bicycle boulevard or shared space. "By themselves, shared lane markings are not considered a bikeway because they do not change the geometric or operational conditions of the roadway to improve comfort and safety for bicyclists." {TODO cite 9.3.3. of bike guide)

TODO crow manual

TODO summary.

== References ==

Template:Cite book

2026-05-17T01:55:05Z

Leifbr: Add new section feature.

<includeonly>{{#if:{{{author|}}}|{{{author}}}.}} ''{{{title|Untitled}}}''{{#if:{{{edition|}}}| ({{{edition}}} ed.)|}}{{#if:{{{publisher|}}}|. {{{publisher}}}|}}{{#if:{{{year|}}}|, {{{year}}}|}}{{#if:{{{pages|}}}|, pp. {{{pages}}}|{{#if:{{{page|}}}|, p. {{{page}}}|{{#if:{{{section|}}}|, § {{{section}}}|{{#if:{{{at|}}}|, {{{at}}}|}}}}}}}}{{#if:{{{isbn|}}}|. ISBN {{{isbn}}}|}}.</includeonly><noinclude>
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Sharrow

2026-05-15T15:03:00Z

Leifbr: Convert to redirect.

#REDIRECT [[Shared_Lane_Marking]]

Shared Lane Marking

2026-05-15T15:02:05Z

Leifbr: Copied over from sharrow and added content.

A '''shared lane marking''', also known as a ''sharrow'' is a lane marking depicting a bicycle intended to inform road users where bicycles are supposed to ride within the lane.

Common reasons for their use include

* Communicating to drivers that cyclists have a right to use the road
* Encouraging cyclists to use a specific part of the lane, such as the edge or center (taking the lane).

== Recommended Use and Limitations ==
Shared lane markings can be helpful as part of a [[Bike Boulevard]] or a shared space by assisting in communicating how bicycles are meant to use the infrastructure. Simply painting sharrows does not address the fundamental bike safety and comfort issues that plague most roadways. Meeting the needs of cyclists of all ages & abilities requires reducing the number and severity of conflicts between bicycles and motor vehicles.

Shared lane markings can be used as part of a low speed, low AADT roadway, such as a bike boulevard or shared space, to mark where bicycles are supposed to ride within the lane<ref>{{cite book|title=Urban Bikeway Design Guide|edition=3rd|date=2025|publisher=Island Press|author=National Association of City Transportation Officials|isbn=978-1-64283-384-3|at=§3.2.1 Shared Spaces, "Design Guidance: Markings", p. 100}}</ref>. Even in these situations, however, a dedicated vertically separated bikeway or constrained bike lane is preferable if space allows<ref>{{cite book|title=Urban Bikeway Design Guide|edition=3rd|date=2025|publisher=Island Press|author=National Association of City Transportation Officials|isbn=978-1-64283-384-3|at=§3.2.3 Constrained Bike Lanes, "Designing for All Ages & Abilities", p. 129}}</ref>.

Shared lane markings have historically been used on roadways with high traffic volumes or high speeds as a form of compromise bikeway. This is no longer recommended, because these facilities are not accessible to all ages and abilities. Design manuals differ slightly on when shared bicycle-motor vehicle lanes are appropriate, but the advice is largely the same. According to the 2025 NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Manual, roadways where bikes and motor vehicles share a lane should have less than 2000 vehicles/day and a target speed of 20 mph or lower. In this case, sharrows should be applied in the center of the lane, to encourage cyclists to take the lane<ref>{{cite book|title=Urban Bikeway Design Guide|edition=3rd|date=2025|publisher=Island Press|author=National Association of City Transportation Officials|isbn=978-1-64283-384-3|at=§3.2.2 Bike Boulevards, "Design Guidance: Markings", p. 109}}</ref>. The 2024 AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities confirms this by stating that sharrows should only be used as part of a bicycle boulevard or shared space {citation needed}.

Bicycles

2026-05-15T01:04:00Z

Leifbr: Filling out introduction.

Bicycles and other forms of micromobility are an affordable, healthy, safe and low impact way to travel. Providing people with the option of getting around by bike is a cost effective way of improving public health, reducing congestion, improving quality of life, affordability, and learning outcomes for children in school among other things. Best practices around the construction of bicycle facilities in North America has been rapidly evolving as cities and states continue to improve older designs, experiment with new ones, and adapt international strategies. This page aims to document current best practices in a simple, easy to understand format, while still allowing space for extensive discussion about known advantages and disadvantages of various designs.

Designers should strive to create roadways that are safe for '''all ages and abilities''' (AA&A) using any type of [[wikipedia:Micromobility|micromobility]] device. From young children heading to their friend's house to seniors visiting the doctor — from upright city bikes to fat tire ebikes — every road user should be safe and comfortable getting where they need to go.

== Network Planning ==

== Bikeway Facility Types ==
There are countless feasible designs for AA&A bicycle facilities, but most fall into one of the following categories:

=== [[Bike Path|Paths]] ===
Dedicated car-free bikeway, often shared with pedestrians.

=== [[Separated Bike Lane|Separated Bike Lanes]] ===
Dedicated lanes separated from motor vehicles by a vertical barrier.

=== [[Constrained Bike Lane|Constrained Bike Lanes]] ===
The traditional North American 'bike lane'. These are generally not recommended unless there are right-of-way constraints or the project is repurposing existing pavement.

=== [[Advisory Bike Lane|Advisory Bike Lanes]] ===
Rare in North America - a compact design that can be used on roadways where management strategies ensure low speeds and traffic volumes.

=== [[Bike Boulevard]] ===
Roadway configuration in which the entire road functions as a bike path. Requires management of vehicle speeds and volumes. Best for when a bike route is routed down an urban or suburban street, and there isn't enough space for safe separated bike lanes.

=== Shared Space ===
Most urban and suburban streets.

== Deficient Bicycle Facilities ==
May older designs for bicycle facilities are no longer recommended because they do not effectively and safely serve users of all ages and abilities. Some of these designs are listed here:

=== [[Sharrow|Sharrows]] ===
Road marking showing where bicycles are supposed to ride on the road. These have been extensively used on roads that are not AA&A compatible, but are fine as part of a bike boulevard or shared space design.

=== Bicycles on Sidewalks ===
Designing a roadway where bicycles are expected to use the sidewalk creates a multitude of conflicts and potential safety hazards. In cases where this is planned, the sidewalk can be upgraded to a [[Bike Paths|multi-use path]]. It is always better to segregate micromobility users from pedestrians, however.

Streets

2026-05-15T00:55:09Z

Leifbr: Slight wording tweaks + adding that streets serve as a place to live.

== Introduction ==
Streets, usually referred to as '''local roads''' in the U.S., are the highest access, lowest speed roadways in a transportation network. Streets should not be designed to prioritize vehicular speed or capacity.

=== Functions of a street ===

* Providing access to adjacent properties for motor vehicles, [[wikipedia:Micromobility|micromobility]] and pedestrians.
* Serving as a place to live.

== Urban ==
''Urban Core'', ''Urban'' and ''Rural Town'' contexts

== Suburban ==
''Suburban'' context

== Rural ==
''Rural'' context
[[File:Screenshot 2026-04-27 161249.png|alt=Rural street in the Netherlands|thumb|Rural street in Valthermond, NL]]

Roadway Design

2026-05-15T00:52:53Z

Leifbr: Add that research is also acceptable, slight tweaks to wording.

This page provides a broad overview of the roadway design section of the Transportation Design Wiki.

== Table of Contents ==

=== Roadway Layout ===

==== [[Network Planning]] ====

==== [[Streets]] ====

==== [[Roads]] ====

==== [[Intersections]] ====

==== [[Vehicle Dimensions]] ====

== Source Manuals ==
Recommendations in the Roadway Design Wiki must be sourced from a credible source, such as a roadway design manual. Published research from a credible institution may also be used. Manuals used as a reference should be listed below.

=== North American Engineering Manuals ===
AASHTO ''[[A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets]]''

NCDOT ''[[Roadway Design Manual (NCDOT)|Roadway Design Manual]]''

NACTO ''[[Urban Street Design Guide]]''

NACTO ''[[Urban Bikeway Design Guide]]''

=== International Engineering Manuals ===
Statens Vegvesen [[N100 Veg-og Gateutforming|''N100 Veg-og Gateutforming'']]

Roadway Speed

2026-05-15T00:45:04Z

Leifbr: Move references.

The '''speed''' of a roadway can refer to one of four values in the context of transportation design.

== Speed Limit ==
The '''speed limit''' of a roadway is the maximum legal speed that motor vehicles may traverse the road. Speed limits may differ by vehicle type, time of day, or immediate conditions (e.g. "speed limit 15 when children present").

== Operating Speed ==
'''Operating speed''', as defined by the ''Green Book''<ref>{{cite book|title=A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets|edition=7th|date=2018|publisher=American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials|isbn=978-1-56051-676-7}}</ref>, is "the speed at which drivers are observed operating their vehicles during free-flow conditions". The operating speed of a roadway is distinct from the ''design speed'' and ''speed limit''.

== Design Speed ==
The '''design speed''' is a value used by engineers when designing a roadway to help guide physical design characteristics. In North Carolina, it is almost always set at 5 mph higher than the speed limit. The ''Green Book'' uses the concept of design speed to assist in the choice of horizontal and vertical curvature, sight distances and barrier design among other things.

== Target Speed ==
'''Target speed''' is the operating speed that a roadway is intentionally designed to encourage, usually using traffic calming or other design tricks. Target speed should ideally be equal to the speed limit. For example, in a dense downtown, roadway designers may choose a target speed of 20 mph, and then use traffic calming strategies such as narrowing lanes, coordinating signals, speed tables, and visual complexity to ensure a satisfactory fraction of vehicles drive at or below that speed.

== References ==
<references />

Roadway Speed

2026-05-15T00:44:24Z

Leifbr: Init

The '''speed''' of a roadway can refer to one of four values in the context of transportation design.

== Speed Limit ==
The '''speed limit''' of a roadway is the maximum legal speed that motor vehicles may traverse the road. Speed limits may differ by vehicle type, time of day, or immediate conditions (e.g. "speed limit 15 when children present").

== Operating Speed ==
'''Operating speed''', as defined by the ''Green Book''<ref>{{cite book|title=A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets|edition=7th|date=2018|publisher=American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials|isbn=978-1-56051-676-7}}</ref>, is "the speed at which drivers are observed operating their vehicles during free-flow conditions". The operating speed of a roadway is distinct from the ''design speed'' and ''speed limit''.
<references />

== Design Speed ==
The '''design speed''' is a value used by engineers when designing a roadway to help guide physical design characteristics. In North Carolina, it is almost always set at 5 mph higher than the speed limit. The ''Green Book'' uses the concept of design speed to assist in the choice of horizontal and vertical curvature, sight distances and barrier design among other things.

== Target Speed ==
'''Target speed''' is the operating speed that a roadway is intentionally designed to encourage, usually using traffic calming or other design tricks. Target speed should ideally be equal to the speed limit. For example, in a dense downtown, roadway designers may choose a target speed of 20 mph, and then use traffic calming strategies such as narrowing lanes, coordinating signals, speed tables, and visual complexity to ensure a satisfactory fraction of vehicles drive at or below that speed.

Main Page

2026-05-15T00:19:45Z

Leifbr: Moved roadway design into separate page to allow other fields in the future.

Roadway Design

2026-05-15T00:17:40Z

Leifbr: Copied over main page.

This page provides a broad overview of the roadway design section of the Transportation Design Wiki.

== Table of Contents ==

=== Roadway Layout ===

==== [[Network Planning]] ====

==== [[Streets]] ====

==== [[Roads]] ====

==== [[Intersections]] ====

==== [[Vehicle Dimensions]] ====

== Source Manuals ==
Recommendations in the Roadway Design Wiki must be sourced from an established design manual. Any manual used as a reference should be listed below.

=== American Engineering Manuals ===
AASHTO ''[[A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets]]''

NCDOT ''[[Roadway Design Manual (NCDOT)|Roadway Design Manual]]''

NACTO ''[[Urban Street Design Guide]]''

NACTO ''[[Urban Bikeway Design Guide]]''

=== International Engineering Manuals ===
Statens Vegvesen [[N100 Veg-og Gateutforming|''N100 Veg-og Gateutforming'']]

Urban Bikeway Design Guide

2026-05-15T00:14:06Z

Leifbr: Init

The ''Urban Bikeway Design Guide''<ref>{{cite book|title=Urban Bikeway Design Guide|edition=3rd|date=2025|publisher=Island Press|author=National Association of City Transportation Officials|isbn=978-1-64283-384-3}}</ref> is a document published by the [[wikipedia:National_Association_of_City_Transportation_Officials|National Association of City Transportation Officials]] (NACTO) that outlines best practices for the design and implementation of bicycle facilities in U.S. and Canadian cities. The third edition is considered a high quality source for this wiki.

A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets

2026-05-15T00:09:19Z

Leifbr: Minor reword

''A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets''<ref>{{cite book|title=A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets|edition=7th|date=2018|publisher=American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials|isbn=978-1-56051-676-7}}</ref> is the primary source for roadway design guidance and values in the United States.

A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets

2026-05-15T00:08:17Z

Leifbr: Init

''A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets''<ref>{{cite book|title=A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets|edition=7th|date=2018|publisher=American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials|isbn=978-1-56051-676-7}}</ref> is the primary source used by US traffic engineers to justify design decisions.

Sharrow

2026-05-14T20:10:18Z

Leifbr: Minor formatting fix

A '''sharrow''', also known internationally as a shared lane marking, is a lane marking depicting a bicycle intended to inform road users where bicycles are supposed to ride within the lane.

Common reasons for their use include

* Communicating to drivers that cyclists have a right to use the road
* Encouraging cyclists to use a specific part of the lane, such as the edge or center (taking the lane).

== Recommended use ==
Sharrows can be helpful as part of a [[Bike Boulevard]] or a shared space by assisting in communicating how vehicles and bicycles are meant to use the infrastructure.

== Limitations ==
Simply painting sharrows does not address the fundamental bike safety and comfort issues that plague most roadways. Meeting the needs of cyclists of all ages & abilities requires reducing the number and severity of conflicts between bicycles and motor vehicles. Roadways with high [[Operating Speed|operating speed]] or high [[wikipedia:Annual_average_daily_traffic|AADT]] require more effective treatments.

Sharrow

2026-05-14T20:08:35Z

Leifbr: Create initial page.

A ''sharrow'', also known internationally as a shared lane marking, is a lane marking depicting a bicycle intended to inform road users where bicycles are supposed to ride within the lane.

Common reasons for their use include

* Communicating to drivers that cyclists have a right to use the road
* Encouraging cyclists to use a specific part of the lane, such as the edge or center (taking the lane).

== Recommended use ==
Sharrows can be helpful as part of a [[Bike Boulevard]] or a shared space by assisting in communicating how vehicles and bicycles are meant to use the infrastructure.

== Limitations ==
Simply painting sharrows does not address the fundamental bike safety and comfort issues that plague most roadways. Meeting the needs of cyclists of all ages & abilities requires reducing the number and severity of conflicts between bicycles and motor vehicles. Roadways with high [[Operating Speed|operating speed]] or high [[wikipedia:Annual_average_daily_traffic|AADT]] require more effective treatments.

Template:Cite journal

2026-05-14T20:06:43Z

Leifbr: Create initial Cite_journal page.

<includeonly>{{#if:{{{author|}}}|{{{author}}}. |}}"{{#if:{{{url|}}}|[{{{url}}} {{{title|Untitled}}}]|{{{title|Untitled}}}}}"{{#if:{{{journal|}}}|. ''{{{journal}}}''|}}{{#if:{{{volume|}}}|. '''{{{volume}}}'''{{#if:{{{issue|}}}| ({{{issue}}})|}}|}}{{#if:{{{pages|}}}|: {{{pages}}}|{{#if:{{{page|}}}|: {{{page}}}|}}}}{{#if:{{{year|}}}| ({{{year}}})|}}{{#if:{{{doi|}}}|. doi:[https://doi.org/{{{doi}}} {{{doi}}}]|}}.</includeonly><noinclude>
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Template:Cite book

2026-05-14T20:05:32Z

Leifbr: Restart with different template.

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Template:Cite web

2026-05-14T20:04:57Z

Leifbr: Create Cite_web template

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Template:Cite book

2026-05-14T19:58:12Z

Leifbr: Copy over Wikipedia cite book template.

<includeonly>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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{{documentation}}
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Bicycles

2026-05-14T19:23:33Z

Leifbr: modified links to be singular instead of plural ('Advisory Bike Lanes' -> 'Advisory Bike Lane')

Best practices around the construction of bicycle facilities in North America has been rapidly evolving as cities and states continue to improve older designs, experiment with new ones, and adapt international strategies. This page aims to document current best practices in a simple, easy to understand format, while still allowing space for extensive discussion about known advantages and disadvantages of various designs.

Designers should strive to create roadways that are safe for '''all ages and abilities''' (AA&A) using any type of [[wikipedia:Micromobility|micromobility]] device. From young children heading to their friend's house to seniors visiting the doctor and from upright city bikes to fat tire ebikes — every road user should be safe and feel comfortable getting where they need to go. Many older designs have been designed to only serve the cyclists already riding on the roads,

== Network Planning ==

== Bikeway Facility Types ==
There are countless feasible designs for AA&A bicycle facilities, but most fall into one of the following categories:

=== [[Bike Path|Paths]] ===
Dedicated car-free bikeway, often shared with pedestrians.

=== [[Separated Bike Lane|Separated Bike Lanes]] ===
Dedicated lanes separated from motor vehicles by a vertical barrier.

=== [[Constrained Bike Lane|Constrained Bike Lanes]] ===
The traditional North American 'bike lane'. These are generally not recommended unless there are right-of-way constraints or the project is repurposing existing pavement.

=== [[Advisory Bike Lane|Advisory Bike Lanes]] ===
Rare in North America - a compact design that can be used on roadways where management strategies ensure low speeds and traffic volumes.

=== [[Bike Boulevard]] ===
Roadway configuration in which the entire road functions as a bike path. Requires management of vehicle speeds and volumes. Best for when a bike route is routed down an urban or suburban street, and there isn't enough space for safe separated bike lanes.

=== Shared Space ===
Most urban and suburban streets.

== Deficient Bicycle Facilities ==
May older designs for bicycle facilities are no longer recommended because they do not effectively and safely serve users of all ages and abilities. Some of these designs are listed here:

=== [[Sharrow|Sharrows]] ===
Road marking showing where bicycles are supposed to ride on the road. These have been extensively used on roads that are not AA&A compatible, but are fine as part of a bike boulevard or shared space design.

=== Bicycles on Sidewalks ===
Designing a roadway where bicycles are expected to use the sidewalk creates a multitude of conflicts and potential safety hazards. In cases where this is planned, the sidewalk can be upgraded to a [[Bike Paths|multi-use path]]. It is always better to segregate micromobility users from pedestrians, however.

Bicycles

2026-05-14T18:44:11Z

Leifbr: Added links to deficient bicycle facilities

Best practices around the construction of bicycle facilities in North America has been rapidly evolving as cities and states continue to improve older designs, experiment with new ones, and adapt international strategies. This page aims to document current best practices in a simple, easy to understand format, while still allowing space for extensive discussion about known advantages and disadvantages of various designs.

Designers should strive to create roadways that are safe for '''all ages and abilities''' (AA&A) using any type of [[wikipedia:Micromobility|micromobility]] device. From young children heading to their friend's house to seniors visiting the doctor and from upright city bikes to fat tire ebikes — every road user should be safe and feel comfortable getting where they need to go. Many older designs have been designed to only serve the cyclists already riding on the roads,

== Network Planning ==

== Bikeway Facility Types ==
There are countless feasible designs for AA&A bicycle facilities, but most fall into one of the following categories:

=== [[Bike Paths|Paths]] ===
Dedicated car-free bikeway, often shared with pedestrians.

=== [[Separated Bike Lanes]] ===
Dedicated lanes separated from motor vehicles by a vertical barrier.

=== [[Constrained Bike Lanes]] ===
The traditional North American 'bike lane'. These are generally not recommended unless there are right-of-way constraints or the project is repurposing existing pavement.

=== [[Advisory Bike Lanes]] ===
Rare in North America - a compact design that can be used on roadways where management strategies ensure low speeds and traffic volumes.

=== [[Bike Boulevard]] ===
Roadway configuration in which the entire road functions as a bike path. Requires management of vehicle speeds and volumes. Best for when a bike route is routed down an urban or suburban street, and there isn't enough space for safe separated bike lanes.

=== Shared Space ===
Most urban and suburban streets.

== Deficient Bicycle Facilities ==
May older designs for bicycle facilities are no longer recommended because they do not effectively and safely serve users of all ages and abilities. Some of these designs are listed here:

=== [[Sharrows]] ===
Road marking showing where bicycles are supposed to ride on the road. These have been extensively used on roads that are not AA&A compatible, but are fine as part of a bike boulevard or shared space design.

=== Bicycles on Sidewalks ===
Designing a roadway where bicycles are expected to use the sidewalk creates a multitude of conflicts and potential safety hazards. In cases where this is planned, the sidewalk can be upgraded to a [[Bike Paths|multi-use path]]. It is always better to segregate micromobility users from pedestrians, however.

Bicycles

2026-05-14T18:17:16Z

Leifbr: Continued filling out page

Bicycles

2026-05-14T18:03:26Z

Leifbr: Created initial page.

File:CopenhagenStreet.jpg

2026-04-28T16:34:59Z

Leifbr:

Main Page

2026-04-28T16:22:27Z

Leifbr: Remove Introduction collapse.

This wiki is designed to be a centralized platform to discuss and document the concepts and best practices found in every design manual related to American roadway design, including international guides. Some of the more notable sources for this wiki are the NCDOT Roadway Design Manual, AASHTO Green Book, NACTO Urban Street Design guide, and others. Being a wiki, this resource will also simplify the process of comparing guidelines when there are contradictions, either between manuals or within.

Railway, Airport, Waterway, and Structural Engineering may be added in the future.

== Table of Contents ==

=== Roadway Layout ===

==== [[Network Planning]] ====

==== [[Streets]] ====

==== [[Roads]] ====

==== [[Intersections]] ====

==== [[Vehicle Dimensions]] ====

== Source Manuals ==
Recommendations in the Roadway Design Wiki must be sourced from an established design manual. Any manual used as a reference should be listed below.

=== American Engineering Manuals ===
AASHTO ''[[A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets]]''

NCDOT ''[[Roadway Design Manual (NCDOT)|Roadway Design Manual]]''

NACTO ''[[Urban Street Design Guide]]''

NACTO ''[[Urban Bikeway Design Guide]]''

=== International Engineering Manuals ===
Statens Vegvesen [[N100 Veg-og Gateutforming|''N100 Veg-og Gateutforming'']]

User:Leifbr

2026-04-27T22:40:38Z

Leifbr: Created page.

Leif Rasmussen

Doctoral student study transportation systems at North Carolina State University.

You can reach me at lbrasmus@ncsu.edu. Please reach out with any suggestions for this project!

Main Page

2026-04-27T21:47:18Z

Leifbr: Added source manuals section.

== Introduction ==
This wiki is designed to be a centralized platform to discuss and document the concepts and best practices found in every design manual related to American roadway design, including international guides. Some of the more notable sources for this wiki are the NCDOT Roadway Design Manual, AASHTO Green Book, NACTO Urban Street Design guide, and others. Being a wiki, this resource will also simplify the process of comparing guidelines when there are contradictions, either between manuals or within.

Railway, Airport, Waterway, and Structural Engineering may be added in the future.

== Table of Contents ==

=== Roadway Layout ===

==== [[Network Planning]] ====

==== [[Streets]] ====

==== [[Roads]] ====

==== [[Intersections]] ====

==== [[Vehicle Dimensions]] ====

== Source Manuals ==
Recommendations in the Roadway Design Wiki must be sourced from an established design manual. Any manual used as a reference should be listed below.

=== American Engineering Manuals ===
AASHTO ''[[A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets]]''

NCDOT ''[[Roadway Design Manual (NCDOT)|Roadway Design Manual]]''

NACTO ''[[Urban Street Design Guide]]''

NACTO ''[[Urban Bikeway Design Guide]]''

=== International Engineering Manuals ===
Statens Vegvesen [[N100 Veg-og Gateutforming|''N100 Veg-og Gateutforming'']]

Roadway Design Manual (NCDOT)

2026-04-27T21:47:01Z

Leifbr: Created page.

The Roadway Design Manual (RDM) is a document published by NCDOT to guide roadway projects in North Carolina. It is considered an authoritative source for design criteria for North Carolina.

https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/Roadway/Pages/RDM.aspx

Streets

2026-04-27T20:53:24Z

Leifbr: Added introduction content.

== Introduction ==
Streets, usually referred to as '''local roads''' in the U.S., are the highest access, lowest speed roadways in a transportation network. Streets are generally not designed to prioritize vehicular speed or capacity.

=== Functions of a street ===

* Providing access adjacent properties for motor vehicles, [[wikipedia:Micromobility|micromobility]] and pedestrians.
*

*

== Urban ==
''Urban Core'', ''Urban'' and ''Rural Town'' contexts

== Suburban ==
''Suburban'' context

== Rural ==
''Rural'' context
[[File:Screenshot 2026-04-27 161249.png|alt=Rural street in the Netherlands|thumb|Rural street in Valthermond, NL]]

Streets

2026-04-27T20:19:39Z

Leifbr: Added an image.

== Introduction ==
Streets, usually classified as '''local''' in the U.S., are the highest access, lowest speed roadways in a transportation network. Streets should not be designed to prioritize vehicular speed or capacity.

== Urban ==
''Urban Core'', ''Urban'' and ''Rural Town'' contexts

== Suburban ==
''Suburban'' context

== Rural ==
''Rural'' context
[[File:Screenshot 2026-04-27 161249.png|alt=Rural street in the Netherlands|thumb|Rural street in Valthermond, NL]]

File:Screenshot 2026-04-27 161249.png

2026-04-27T20:15:12Z

Leifbr: Google Street View image of 5 Valtherblokken-Zuid in the Netherlands.

== Summary ==
Google Street View image of 5 Valtherblokken-Zuid in the Netherlands.

== Copyright status: ==

== Licensing ==
{{fair-use}}
== Source: ==
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rLDS4B8xTpApxydF8

MediaWiki:Licenses

2026-04-27T20:11:38Z

Leifbr: Add initial license options

Streets

2026-04-27T20:07:19Z

Leifbr: Created initial page.

== Introduction ==

== Urban ==
''Urban Core'', ''Urban'' and ''Rural Town'' contexts

== Suburban ==
''Suburban'' context

== Rural ==
''Rural'' context

Main Page

2026-04-27T19:44:51Z

Leifbr: Created initial page.