RUMBLE STRIPS - SR109 Sumner County
Rumble strips...

Just a quick note...Dave [Miley] mentioned in the comments on the posting about next Saturday's ride that 109 between Hollis Chapel and Bug Hollow now has rumble strips on it making it virtually impossible for a bicycle to ride on the shoulder of the road. This is only a guess, but knowing what the Harpeth Bicycle Club has been going through over the last couple of months, we should expect more of the state roads we ride on to have rumble strips added. I have been communicating with some of the members of the HBC and a lot of their roads have had rumble strips added to them since late summer essentailly ruining these roads for safe cycling. All of these roads were state highways. We should probably prepare for 174, 258, 109, 25, 76, and 31 to end up this way. I had last heard that the HBC was going to try to contact someone in the state government and voice their concern about the dangers of this situation for bicyclists but from what I can tell, nothing came of it. I will see what has happened and maybe if the state is planning on doing the same thing to our routes, we can try to communicate our concerns before it is too late
. . . Bryan Kortness
COMMUNICATION
All notes are posted below as I received copies.  The object is to keep everyone up to date and coordinate efforts
-----Original Message-----
From: Glen Wanner, November 18, 2008
To: William Anderson; Tom Evans; Bruce Day; Meehan, Leslie (Planning); Pat Clements; bkortness@comcast.net; Jeff Sammons
Subject: TDOT meeting

So we have a meeting set with TDOT this Friday at 1 pm. I will represent Walk/Bike Nashville and Leslie will represent the 5 county MPO (if she can attend). I believe Pat or someone else will represent Harpeth (Williamson County as well as other areas). We have several folks interested in representing Sumner/Hendersonville (way to go Fat Old Guys! It is great to see the advocacy happening up north.) I will see if the Veloteers can represent Wilson County. I would appreciate any help getting someone from Rutherford County to attend.  Again, I don't want to make this a public hearing, but I do want to be sure cyclists from our region are well represented.

We can discuss this more later, but I suggest the basic outline of the meeting to be:
1. discuss issues cyclists face with lane positioning and the best ways for all users to share the road.
2. discuss how edge lines can affect optimal lane positioning.
3. discuss how rumble strips can affect lane positioning and effect motor vehicle drivers.
4. discuss solutions and engineering standards.
5. discuss ethics of improving safety for errant users at the expense of conscientious users.

Ed Cole (chief of environment and planning with TDOT) came to the Walk/Bike Nashville meeting tonight and let us know that he takes the rumble strip issue very seriously.

I am hopeful that we can have a meaningful impact on the rumble strip issue that we face.

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: rumble strips
From: Joe.Armstrong@state.tn.us, November 17, 2008
To: glen.wanner

Glen,  We have set up a meeting in the conference room at 1 PM on Friday, November 21 to discuss rumble strips.  If you have any questions contact Rusty Staggs at 615-253-2438.

-----Original Message-----
From: Meehan, Leslie (MPO), November 17, 2008
To: Shannon K Hornsby; tom@evanscenter.com
Cc: Michael Briggs; David Hardin; Frank Bowyers IV; Glen Wanner; Pat Clements
Subject: RE: Rumble Strips

Thanks for all of your emails.  Glen Wanner from Walk/Bike Nashville and Pat Clements from Harpeth Bicycle Club are indeed working on setting up something with TDOT.  My suggestion for us all is to get organized and put together a one page document that lists the specific concerns.  It can certainly have the corresponding organizations' letterheads and organization signatures.  I believe it will send a powerful message that the same issues are being felt across the region and that our multiple counties are organized in an effort to address the situation.  We may also want to consider having Murfreesboro Bicycle Club and the Veloteers sign on so that we have Sumner, Wilson, Rutherford, Davidson and Williamson represented.

Ed Cole is coming to the Walk/Bike Nashville meeting tonight so I'll try to get an update on when TDOT is available to meet.  As I see it, my role in the meeting will be as bike/ped planner and liaison between the advocacy groups and TDOT.

-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce Day, November 14, 2008
To: Tom Evans
Subject: TN bike ped coordinator

Tom, In case you are not getting these emails, here is a confirmation of an interim bike/ped coordinator. Glen Wanner reports he is working on some contacts at the state.  Your contacts at the county are excellent.  I've sent snail mail to Nicely, Bredesen, Black, and Maggart. The only group we have not pestered is the city and thank the cycling angels this is not a city matter.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: TN Bike/Ped Coordinator
Date: 14 Nov 2008
From: Bruce Day To: <Rusty.Staggs@state.tn.us>
CC:TNBikeAdvocates@googlegroups.com References: <491D1306020000A20002C176@AG03NG03.nash.tenn>

Bruce, Yes, I am currently the acting Bike/Ped coordinator for TDOT.  The state is under a hiring freeze and we are unable to hire a full time coordinator at this time.  I will be glad to answer any questions you have.  Thanks  Rusty

Rusty, Thank you for your quick reply. It is a relief to know Tennessee has not abandoned its commitment to cycling. The two matters are:
1. The aggressive rumble stripping of moderately busy roads with narrow shoulders.  Glen Wanner has informed me there are plans for talks among the affected groups so maybe this is already being addressed.
2. Developing a true cross state bicycle route network.  Tennessee has a well done set of cycle routes on the state website and publish impressive hard copy maps. However, the routes themselves serve little purpose.  Would there be any support at the state level for creating a series of routes that completely cross the state?  Connecting the Natches Trace northward to Kentucky would be easy.  The Old Avery Trace makes a good basis for a route from Oak Ridge to Nashville. The cycling community should be able to suggest more roads to complete connections. The idea would be to use existing roads and paved paths so there would be no new construction, only new signs and documentation.Tennessee is a great place to cycle.  It would be nice to better use of our current infrastructure and continue our past gains. Thanks again for your attention to cycling,

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Briggs, November 14, 2008
To: tom@evanscenter.com; _Leslie Meehan
Cc: David Hardin; Shannon K Hornsby; Frank Bowyers IV
Subject: RE: Rumble Strips

Leslie – Has TDOT hired a bike/ped coordinator?  I’d be a little surprised if TDOT hasn’t heard this before.  This was a major concern of bicyclists in the Kansas City area.  One win-win solution for drivers and bicyclists in Missouri was the use of rumble “stripes” where the edgeline is painted on top of the rumble.  They have had great success in using this treatment systemwide because the edgeline becomes more visible to the driver at night, it saves precious warning time if a driver is veering off the road because the rumble is in a couple feet closer, and it keeps the shoulder open for bicycle travel.  I think TDOT has tested this on portions of Ellington Parkway unless it was a mistake on the contractor’s behalf.  Is there someone at TDOT that we could talk to about this?  I have several contacts at MoDOT that could talk to them about this type of application.  I’m not sure if it would be feasible here, but it’s something to look into.  If they aren’t aware of alternate treatments, then I agree with Tom that they are likely to do this to more routes.

One concern I know that will be expressed is that drivers are more likely to hit the rumble stripe than the rumble strip because it utilizes the edgeline.  This obviously means the treatment is working but it also makes a rumbling noise that can be heard in rural areas and can be a concern for residents living near these routes.  From what I heard, there are had been relatively few complaints about the noise in areas that were using them.

Each state is different, but I know Missouri and Iowa have tested and are using this treatment and probably several others now.

Michael Briggs, Planner; Sumner County Planning & Zoning; 355 N. Belvedere Dr., Room 208; Gallatin, TN 37066
Dept: (615) 451-6097; Direct: (615) 442-1162; Fax: (615) 442-1154

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Evans, November 14, 2008
To: _Leslie Meehan; Michael Briggs
Cc: David Hardin; Shannon K Hornsby; Frank Bowyers IV
Subject: Rumble Strips

Leslie / Michael, We need some help or advice.  Please read the following which I just posted as a RIDE ALERT on our Web Site.

[ Bryan's Note Above ] 
 
The route on SR 109 that Bryan is discussing has a narrow one-foot wide section of road that is traveled frequently by bikers.  Because of relatively hazardous traffic, cyclists are good to ride single file in that narrow little lane, thereby making acceptable passage for both auto and bike traffic.  The rumble strip now destroys that safety forcing cyclists into traffic.  What is happening here?  What can we do before TDOT creates problems for both cyclists and motorists?

MEETINGS
Meeting: JK Polk Bldg, Friday, November 21, 2008
Attendees: Joe Armstrong (TDOT); Meehan, Leslie (MPO), Glen Wanner (WBN); Bruce Day, William Anderson; Tom Evans; Pat Clements; Jeff Sammons; Tim Nichols
By Phone: Kelley Segars; Pugliese Philip; TDOT - Gary Ogletree, Winston Gaffron

Glen started the meeting with comments regarding the issues on the Agenda.  We moved from the more general concerns to the specific issue of TDOT's inclusion of Safety Rumble Strips on roads with narrow (less than two feet) shoulders using SR 109 as an example.  Bruce noted that in past communication with TDOT (Dave Utley) that they did not plan to rumble anything less that three feet.  He wondered what were the reasons for change.  Nobody in the meeting had an answer.

The discussion focused on the Technical Guidelines of the Federal Highway Administration for the use of Safety Rumble Strips.  The cyclist advocates requested TDOT consider these guidelines in their plans.  They also asked TDOT for a list of roads that were goping to be rumbled in the near future.  If such a list exists, TDOT was unwilling to share it with the advocates.

The TDOT reps asked the advocates to submit their positions on the use of SRS.  Bruce gave Joe a copy of a statement that he and Tom had prepared in advance of the meeting, which represented their personal opinion and not necessarily that of other advocates.

Leslie thanked everyone for participating, said she would have follow-up discussions with Jeanne Stevens and Ed Cole and set up a meetings with Jessica Rich, FHWA Safety Engineer, Gary Ogletree, and Michael Skipper.  The issue important to the advocates are

- Will TDOT follow the FHWA policy and not put strips or stripes on roadways with less than 4' shoulder, regardless of whether or not it's a bike route in the TDOT long-range plan?
- Can TDOT provide an inventory of roadways which have already received treatment and those that will receive treatment?
- How will safety analysis be conducted to see if the treatments are working?
- Will TDOT consider doing the treatments at high-accident locations instead of entire corridors?
- Will breaks in rumble strips or stripes be considered regardless of whether the road is a bike route or not?
- Can TDOT do a typical section for how rumble stripes and strips will be handled on existing roadways?

TDOT reps -
Winston Gaffron, Region 3 Manager
Gary Ogletree - State Highway Safety Plan Manager
Rusty Staggs - interim bike/ped planner
Jessica Wilson - TDOT employee assisting Rusty and bike advocate
Timothy Nichols - He is either with long-range planning or engineering. 
Agenda Prepared by Glen Wanner
Federal Highway Technical Advisory, excerpts by Tom Evans
Position Statement prepared by Bruce Day and Tom Evans
Signing & Markings T-M-11 from Leslie Meehan (see Communications)
-----Original Message-----
From: Meehan, Leslie (MPO)  November 20, 2008
To: Glen Wanner; Bruce Day
Cc: William Anderson; Tom Evans; Pat Clements; bkortness@comcast.net; Jeff Sammons; Pugliese Philip; Kelley Segars
Subject: RE: Agenda

All - Please see the attached sheet which is a typical section from TDOT on how to treat signing and pavement markings for bicycle lanes and routes on rural roads.  I have pasted below comments from Kelley Segars from the Knoxville TPO about the use of rumble strips (Kelley, hope you don't mind).  Kelley brings up some excellent points that we should consider for tomorrow's meeting.

T-M-11: Signing and Pavement Markings for Bicycle Lanes and Routes on Rural Roads

1.General note B-any road may be used by bicyclists; therefore FHWA has recommended that rumble strips not be used when their installation would leave a clear shoulder pathway of less than 4' or 5' if there is a curb or guardrail for bicycle use. FHWA does NOT say that this only applies to roads that are bicycle routes. FHWA also says that rumble strips should not be used in urban or suburban areas or along roadways where prevailing speeds are less than 50 mph.  
2.Why are the rumble strips 16" not 12"?
3.Paved Shoulder Width less than 6' drawing: if the paved shoulder is less than 6' then there is not room for rumble strips. It doesn't matter if it is a bike route or not; you have to leave 4' of shoulder between the edge of the rumble strip and the edge of pavement.
4.Paved shoulder width 8' or greater drawing: why is this called a bike lane? Surely you are not going to designate bike lanes on every rural road with a shoulder 8' wide? Or is this just instruction for if you are going to designate bike lanes on a rural road with shoulders, this is how it looks?
5.General note D. AASHTO says that in urban areas, signs typically would be placed every ¼ mile. It unfortunately does not say what the typical distance would be in rural areas, which is what this design sheet is about, but every ¼ mile seems like overkill.
6.General note F: what is this intending? Is the additional 12" for the shoulder or for the travel lane? And again, I would like to point out that bicyclists are to be expected on every road (other than limited access ones).
7.The Share the Road sign has fallen out of favor with bicycle planners around the country, and Bike Route signs are to be used only with Destination plaques. I think TDOT should lead a discussion with the regional/local bicycle coordinators in Tennessee to develop signage policies with criteria for where different types of optional bicycle signs get installed.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Sammons, November 23, 2008
To: Meehan, Leslie (MPO); Pugliese Philip; Glen Wanner; Bruce Day; William Anderson; Tom Evans; Pat Clements; Bryan Kortness; Kelley Segars
Subject: SRS Position Statement

Hi All:

I think we had a good first meeting with TDOT on Friday.  If we accomplished nothing else, we made it clear that this was an important issue for the bicycling community.

I think one of our very next steps should be to present a formal "Position Statement" to TDOT that reflects our collective position and comes across very strongly as to what we want.  I know we gave them the position statement that Tom Evans and Bruce Day prepared, but I don't believe this statement communicated all of the items that we wanted TDOT to comply with. 

Attached is a sample Position Statement that I crafted.  I think we need to present this document, or something similar, to TDOT in the near term.  We can change the current document or come up with a completely new one.  We don't need to get this position statement overly technical at this time, we just need to communicate what we want in a clear and concise fashion.
Let me know your thoughts, suggestions, and next steps.

-----Original Message-----
From: Meehan, Leslie, December 02, 2008
To: Jeff Sammons; Tom Evans; Pugliese Philip; Glen Wanner; Bruce Day; William Anderson; Pat Clements; Bryan Kortness; Kelley Segars
Subject: RE: Rumble Strip update

Jeff - Thanks for your help in getting with Tom.  Pictures would be very helpful, especially if you can take them of a cyclist trying to navigate around the rumble. -Leslie

From: Jeff Sammons, December 02, 2008
To: Meehan, Leslie; Tom Evans; Pugliese Philip; Glen Wanner; Bruce Day; William Anderson; Pat Clements; Bryan Kortness; Kelley Segars
Subject: Re: Rumble Strip update

Hi All: Sounds like a plan, I'll get with Tom and we will get something out to the group. My source at TDOT tells me that Ed Cole is due to retire this year-end.  So if we plan to use him to influence the folks at TDOT, we better engage his help there soon. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to ride on SR-246, Carter's Creek Pike south of Franklin.  It is sad to say that this road is in bad shape with both shoulder and center-line rumble strips on a lonely two-lane state road.  The shoulders are barely wide enough for the rumble strips and in some sections run into the roadway itself.  I plan to go back out this weekend and get some pictures. Leslie, should we all try and get some pictures for you to show the folks at TDOT? . . . Jeff Sammons

From: Meehan, Leslie, December 2, 2008
To: Meehan, Leslie; Tom Evans; Jeff Sammons; Pugliese Philip; Glen Wanner; Bruce Day; William Anderson; Pat Clements; Bryan Kortness; Kelley Segars
Subject: Rumble Strip update

Good Afternoon - I just wanted to provide an update for the group about the Rumble Strips.  Since we met a few weeks ago, TDOT staff are working very hard to look at current policies for rumble strips and to conduct peer review of other states' policies for rumble striping and accommodating bicycles.  After TDOT staff have pulled together this information I will be meeting with them and with Federal Highway to discuss TDOT policy and the Federal Highway Technical Advisory.  There are quite a few folks at TDOT who are dedicated to finding a solution to this issue and are appreciative of everyone's patience as they examine how best to move forward and make the roadways safe for all users.

As far as next steps go, TDOT is asking for a list of concerns from the cycling community.  My suggestion is that Tom and Jeff perhaps use the two documents they prepared as a starting point and create one document that states what the obstacles are, but not necessarily what the solutions should be.  TDOT staff would like to make sure that they are covering all of the problematic concerns from the community.

This list can be submitted to me and I will present it to TDOT staff when we meet in about a week.  The MPO staff will continue to work with TDOT staff to make sure that make sure the roadways are safe for both cyclists and motorists.

Thank you and please let me know if you have any questions or comments.


On November 24'th, Commissioner Gerald Nicely responded to a letter Bruce Day sent to him with concerns about the rumble striping.  Please click here for a copy of that letter.

PHOTOS & MOVIES
Movie of Bob Trying to Ride RT 109
Movie of Safe Striping on 31W
Adding Rumble Striping to Wide Outside Lanes in accordance with FWHA Guidelines presents no problem to cyclists.
Adding Rumble Striping to narrow shoulders contrary to FWHA Guidelines forces cyclists into traffic and has questionable benefit for Run off the Road
Meehan, Leslie (MPO), December 10, 2008
To: 'Rusty Staggs'; Jessica.L Wilson Cc: 'Jeanne Stevens'; Skipper, Michael (MPO)
Subject: Rumble Strips

Rusty and Jessica -

The Nashville Area MPO Staff would like to thank TDOT for reviewing rumble strip/stripe policy and practice related to the safety of bicyclists and all roadways users.  The following is a list of items that may be helpful in your discussions:

       A.) Statement from area bicyclists on affect of rumbles on bicycling (attached).
       B.) Video and photos of Highway 109 and Highway 31, contrasting application of rumble on a shoulder less than 4'
               (Highway 109) and application of rumble on a larger shoulder (Highway 31). (very useful)
       C.) List of resources to consider when reviewing TDOT policy and practice
       D.) Requests from Nashville Area MPO Staff regarding information and next steps.

Again, thank you for this opportunity.  I will continue to work as a liaison between your department and the cycling community.

-Leslie
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A.) Statement from area bicyclists representing Sumner, Wilson, Williamson, Rutherford and Davidson Counties (attached)
B.) Videos and photos: Highway 109 - Video
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F8c4q2LLRg&eurl=http://fogbees.homestead.com/Rumble.html&feature=player_embedded

Highway 109- Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fogbees_evans/sets/72157610613567549/
Highway 31- Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqQ75XMTeWg
Highway 31 Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fogbees_evans/sets/72157610757101375/

C.) Resources:

Federal Highway Technical Advisory on Roadway Shoulder Rumble Strips
  http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/techadvs/t504035.htm

Federal Highway Synthesis of Shoulder Rumble Strip Practices and Policies
  http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/rumble/synthesis/exec_summary.htm#effect

Federal Highway Shoulder Rumble Strips and Bicyclists FHWA-NJ-2002-020

Final Report June 2007
  http://transportation.njit.edu/NCTIP/final_report/RumbleStrip.pdf

D.) MPO Requests:
  - Can TDOT consider pausing installation of rumbles until a policy regarding how to accommodate the safety of bicyclists is adopted?
  - Can TDOT provide an inventory of roadways which have already received rumble treatment and those that will receive treatment?
  - Can TDOT do a typical section for how rumble stripes and strips will be handled on existing roadways?
  - Can TDOT considering following the FHWA Technical Advisory on rumble strips and not install strips or stripes on roadways with less than 4' shoulder, regardless of whether or not the road a bike route in the TDOT long-range plan?
  - Can TDOT consider doing the rumble treatments at high-accident locations instead of entire corridors?
  - May we get clarification of when rumble stripes will be used instead of rumble strips?
  - Can rumble stripes be put down in a minimum width and what is that width?
  - Will breaks in rumble strips or stripes be considered regardless of whether or not the road is a bike route?

-----Original Message-----
From: Meehan, Leslie (MPO), December 16, 2008
To: Meehan, Leslie (MPO); Bruce Day; Glen Wanner; Jeff Sammons; Kelley Segars; Pat Clements; Philip Pugliese; Tom Evans; William Anderson
Subject: RE: Rumble Strips

I am happy to report that TDOT had what sounds like a very productive and promising meeting about rumble strips.  I don't know all of the details, but I do know that some of the items discussed were using stripes (down the white edge line) instead of strips (on the shoulder), using a minimum width stripe (possibly even 6"), providing periodic gaps in the rumbles for passage to/from the travel lanes, and perhaps reducing the depth of the rumble to 3/8 inch (thus lowering noise levels and peril to bicyclists).  Tom's pictures were shown to the group and provided a great illustration of how rumbles affect safe bicycling.  Thanks Tom!

This particular meeting did not yield any policy changes, but it sounds like it is the ultimate goal.  It appears discussion was good and TDOT is doing a great job of committing to make roads safe for all users.  I will keep the group posted when more official information is released from TDOT.

-----Original Message-----
From: Meehan, Leslie (MPO), January 09, 2009
To: Jeff Sammons; Bruce Day; Glen Wanner; Keith Webb; Kelley Segars; Pat Clements; Philip Pugliese; Tom Evans; William Anderson
Subject: RE: TDOT - Rumble Update

Great question.  TDOT has already begun avoiding application of rumble on shoulders less than 4' in the past few weeks in a few places around the region.  I think the idea is that this will be part of the final policy once it's developed.

From: Jeff Sammons, January 09, 2009
To: Meehan, Leslie (MPO); Bruce Day; Glen Wanner; Keith Webb; Kelley Segars; Pat Clements; Philip Pugliese; Tom Evans; William Anderson
Subject: Re: TDOT - Rumble Update

Great news Leslie! Was there anything mentioned about not applying rumble strips on shoulders less than 4 foot wide?

From: "Meehan, Leslie (MPO)" , January 8, 2009
To: Bruce Day; Glen Wanner; Jeff Sammons; Keith Webb; Kelley Segars; Pat Clements; Philip Pugliese; Tom Evans; William Anderson
Subject: TDOT - Rumble Update

Today TDOT held a conference call with MPO bike/ped coordinators from across the state, and one of the topics was rumble strips.  TDOT is planning on looking at different rumble options: periodic breaks in the rumbles, rumble depth (going from 1/2" to 3/8" I believe), rumble width (going from 16" to 6") and using a stripe on the white edge line vs. a strip on the shoulder.  TDOT is preparing several test sites on SR 840 and is planning on inviting bicyclists to come and test the different rumble applications and provide feedback.  A few other DOTs have done this type of field testing and have used the feedback when developing state rumble policy.

We do not have any details yet on when this will happen, but we will keep you posted.  Sounds like it will be in the next few weeks, as TDOT would like to get a rumble application policy going before the paving season begins in March. 

TDOT should be applauded for quick response to the concerns of the bicycling community and willingness to allow bicyclists to be part of the decision making for state policy.