ASCE Human Powered Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes

January 13 and 15, 1997, Washington, DC

BUSINESS

A two part meeting of the HPT Committee was held during the 76th Annual Transportation Research Board meeting in Washington, DC. The following meeting minutes are provided to document the issues discussed and actions taken during the meetings.

1. REVIEW OF AASHTO BIKE FACILITY GUIDE - John LaPlante provided a detailed status report of the proposed modifications and status of revisions to the 1991 Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities. In addition, John reviewed on an item by item basis the 17 page HPT comment package submitted March 13, 1996. During the review he provided feed back as to whether individual comments could be incorporated, were not appropriate for a national guideline or needed additional clarification. For those comments needing additional clarification, re-writes are to be submitted back to john by mid-February. The HPT committee will have yet another chance to review a later version of the document after comments from all responding groups have been incorporated. The final document is to be formally submitted to the State DOT's for approval in the Fall of 1997. In general, John was very receptive to the comments provided by our committee and other groups, namely the State Bicycle Coordinators. The end result should be a much improved design guide.

3. HPT CLASS VIDEO DEVELOPMENT - Bill Moritz provided an status report on the progress of the HPT video. See attached report for a detail status report and proposed schedule. A five person review panel has been established to provide input and suggestions during preparation of the video. Review panel members include the following individuals:

Tom Walsh, City of Madison, Wisconsin

John Morrall, University of Calgary

John Fegan, Federal Highway Administration

Mac Elliott, ASCE - Human Powered Transportation Committee

Jerry Kaplan, ASCE - Urban Transportation Division

4. FHWA UNIVERSITY COURSE DEVELOPMENT - The HPT Committee has been asked to provide review comments on drafts of the Student's Guide for the FHWA University Course on No-Motorized Transportation. Copies of the bicycle and pedestrian sections have been distributed to two groups of HPT Committee affiliated reviewers (see attached memos). Some preliminary comments were provided to FHWA representatives, John Fegan and Carol Tan Esse, during the meeting. A more formalized set of comments will be provided in writing by February 1997.

5. ADULT CYCLIST USER SURVEY - Bill Moritz provided a status report on a National Cyclists User Survey which he is conducting. The survey is being partially funded by ASCE. See attached tabulation of preliminary results.

6. HPT COMMITTEE HOME PAGE - A home page address is available for our committee's use under the Urban Transportation Division home page listing which can be reached through the ASCE address at . The initial HPT page will be established through the assistance of Said Easa at Lakehead University. We will provide information and Said will have students at his university use it to develop the home page. In order to ensure the continued success of this medium of communication for our committee, we need to find some one to assume responsibility for updating and modifying the home page for maximum effectiveness. If you are interested in assisting with this important activity please contact Jeff Davis at (770) 896-4263 or e-mail at jdavis@trec.ce.gatech.edu.

7. ASCE SPECIALTY CONFERENCES - HPT committee participation in two upcoming ASCE specialty conferences was reviewed with respect to the status of each of the following conferences:

"Traffic Congestion and Traffic Safety in the 21st Century", to be held June 1997 in Chicago and sponsored by the Traffic Operations, and Traffic & Highway Safety Committees. Thanks to Alex Sorton's work on the organizing committee the conference includes four sessions on traffic calming and two sessions on bicycle facilities.

"Transportation, Land Use and Air Quality Planning: Making the Connection", scheduled for May 1998 in Portland, OR and sponsored by the Planning, Environmental & Energy Aspects, & Land Use Committees. See February HPT Update for conference topics and call for papers.

8. COORDINATION WITH OTHER COMMITTEES - A number of coordination activities were discussed including participation in the Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC) update, contacting American Planning Association regarding use of AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities and improved communication with other ASCE Committees. Ongoing efforts continue with TRB, ITE & Pro Bike.

9. COMMITTEE BUDGET FOR 1997 AND 1998 - The HPT Committee has been approved for the following budget costs:

1997 $1,500 Participation in professional activities and specialty conferences

1998 $1,500 Participation in professional activities

$ 750 Involvement in specialty conferences

$1,000 Preparation of White Papers

A variety of additional funds typically become available during the course of a year. Committees that have specific requests for special projects can usually obtain additional funds. Two special projects sponsored by the HPT Committee received funding last year. If you have any ideas for a special project, please write-up a description and forward it to either Mac Elliott or Jeff Davis.

10. PEDESTRIAN ACTIVITIES - Dr. Khisty will develop a draft pedestrian policy statement similar to the previously adopted bicycle policy statement. In addition, a white paper will be developed to serve as the basis for identifying issues to be addressed by the HPT Committee with respect to pedestrian facilities, engineering needs and analytical methods. Dr. Khisty will also help identify other members he would like to have invited to join the HPT Committee to assist in addressing pedestrian issues.

11. RUMBLE STRIP WHITE PAPER - A great deal of discussion has been included in previous HPT Updates regarding how different agencies are dealing with the design and installation of rumble strips along paved shoulders. Since no other committee appears to be addressing this issue, the idea of developing a white paper on this subject was discussed. The key will be to find some one who will summarize information contained in previous Updates and research additional information on the issue in order to prepare a paper which provides a compilation of recommended practices. It was agreed that the best source for finding a preparer will be to identify and encourage a graduate student to take on this project. The enticement could be paid expenses (using ASCE reimbursement procedures) for attending a HPT meeting to present the findings. If you have any recommendations for finding a person to assist with this activity please contact Mac Elliott at (602) 265-6712.

12. ASCE LEADERSHIP AND INSTITUTE CONFERENCE - A meeting of the Urban Transportation and Highway Divisions will be held in Orlando, FL, March 8 and 9 to discuss the possibility of forming an Institute within ASCE. Jeff Davis will attend this meeting on behalf of the HPT Committee.

13. HPT MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY AND MAILING LIST - The current data base being used as the mailing list for the approximately 120 members and friends of the committee will be transferred into Microsoft Access in order to facilitate preparation of a membership directory for distribution. If you would like to help with this endeavor please contact Jeff Davis. In order to help in preparing an up to date membership directory please fill out and return the attached information form. Thanks!!

ATTENDEES:

1ST MEETING SESSION

Donn Fichter NY State DOT
Lois Thibault US Access Board
John LaPlante TY Lin Bascor/AASHTO
John Fegan FHWA
Alex Sorton Northwestern Univ.
Scott Nodes City of Phoenix
Christopher Douwes FHWA
Jerry Kaplan JKalplan/ASCE-UTD
Mac Elliott Elliott Engineering
Jotin Khisty IIT Chicago
Dave Daubert Search Engineering
Bill Moritz Univ. of Washington
Roger Herz Bicycle Transportation Action
Steven Faust FHWA-Region 2
Carol Tan Esse FHWA
Gihon Jordan City of Philadelphia
Charlie Zegeer Univ. of North Carolina HSRC
Jeff Davis Georgia Institute of Technology
David Loutzenheiser UC Berkeley
Martin Guttenplan Florida State Univ.

2ND MEETING SESSION

Jotin Khisty IIT Chicago
Alex Sorton Northwestern Univ.
John Fegan FHWA
Mac Elliott Elliott Engineering
Scott Nodes City of Phoenix
Steven Faust Faust FHWA-Region 2
Bill Wilkinson Bike Federation of America
Jeff Davis Georgia Institute of Technology

Distribution:
Meeting Attendees
HPT Committee Members & Friends
ASCE Contacts - Magie Bajer, Michael Hewitt and Walter Marlowe
Urban Transportation Division, Excom Contacts

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