Guidance

The following guidance is recommended as a resource for state and local governments to support the implementation of best practices.

On this page:

• Program Guidance
• Design Guidance
• Accessibility Guidance
• Other Links

Program Guidance

• FHWA Memorandum (February 24, 1999)
  Guidance and Policies to implement the Bicycle and Pedestrian Provisions of the Federal-aid Program in Title 23 of the U.S. Code.

• FHWA Program Guidance (February 24, 1999)
  This document explains the need to mainstream bicycling and walking into transportation planning, design, and operations. It provides useful policy statements, funding and eligibility requirements, and project selection and design information.

• Statewide Transportation Planning; Metropolitan Transportation Planning; Final Rule (effective March 16, 2007)
  • HTML: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/07-493.htm
  • PDF (395 KB): http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-493.pdf

• Equestrian and Other Nonmotorized Use on Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities
  FHWA position statement and Related Provisions and Implications.

• Framework for Considering Motorized Use on Nonmotorized Trails and Pedestrian Walkways
  • Memorandum: February 26, 2008
  • Framework for Considering Motorized Use on Nonmotorized Trails and Pedestrian Walkways
  • List of Exceptions: There are no exceptions at this time.

• Shared Use Paths Along or Near Freeways and Bicycles on Freeways
  Responses to inquiries related to shared use paths and bicycles on, along, or near Interstate highways or other freeways.

• FHWA/FTA Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Planning Guidance (November 28, 1994)
  Guidance for consideration and appropriate inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian elements in Statewide and MPO transportation plans and TIPs.

• FHWA/FTA Memorandum (February 6, 2006)
  Flexible Funding for Highways, Transit, and Pedestrian and Bicycle Activities includes a summary of funding sources and options for transferring funds between FHWA and FTA programs.

• FHWA and FTA Funds That May be Used for Bicycle and Pedestrian Activities

• FHWA Memorandum (January 17, 1992)
  Designation of Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinators within State Departments of Transportation.

• Traffic Control Sign Guidance - See the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
  • Part 9. Traffic Controls for Bicycle Facilities applies to on-road bicycle facilities and to shared use paths.
  The MUTCD does not have a particular section for Pedestrian Facilities because pedestrian information is contained throughout the MUTCD.

Design Guidance

• FHWA Memorandum (February 28, 2000)
  Bicycle and Pedestrian Design Guidance which was developed in conjunction with AASHTO, ITE, and other organizations calls for fair consideration of the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians in decisions affecting our nation's transportation system.

• Design Guidance Accommodating Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel: A Recommended Approach
  A Policy Statement encouraging the inclusion of facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians in all transportation projects unless exceptional circumstances exist.

• Supplementary Design Guidance for Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects (August 30, 2000)
  Gives additional information on the exceptions to routinely providing facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians.

• Manuals and Guides for Trail Design, Construction, Maintenance, and Operation, and for Signs
  Many manuals and guidelines provide information for trail design, construction, maintenance, and operation, and for signs. This page has manuals and best practices guides and resources from government agencies or nonprofit organizations.

Accessibility Guidance

Federally funded transportation facilities for pedestrians must meet the requirements of the American with Disabilities Act.

• FHWA's Oversight Role in Accessibility
  • Memorandum from the Administrator
  • Memorandum: Clarification of FHWA's Oversight Role in Accessibility
    • Questions and Answers
  
  

• Announcement of USDOT Accessibility Regulations: 49 CFR Part 37--Transportation Services for Individuals with Disabilities: Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 209 / Monday, October 30, 2006 / Rules and Regulations / Page 63263. HTML / PDF

• Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory, January 23, 2006
  Notice of availability of the Access Board's November 2005 Draft Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines

• FHWA/FTA Memorandum (September 25, 2000)
  The Americans with Disabilities Act Policy promotes universal design and the development of a fully accessible transportation system. This document calls for mainstreaming facilities for people with disabilities in our nation's transportation system.

• FHWA Program Administration Policy on Pedestrians and Accessible Design
  The Office of Program Administration is concerned with the design of the pedestrian environment in the public right of way for disabled individuals.

• Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access
  FHWA's two-part report on pedestrian and trail accessibility.

  • Part 1, Review of Existing Guidelines and Practices, lays out the history and the practices of applying accessibility concepts to sidewalks and pedestrian trails. (Out of print, available online only)

  • Part 2, Best Practices Design Guide, provides recommendations on how to design sidewalks, street crossings, intersections, shared use paths, and recreational pedestrian trails. See also Transmittal Memorandum, Detectable Warnings Memorandum (July 2004), Detectable Warnings Memorandum (May 2002), and Errata Sheet.

• Detectable Warnings Memorandum (July 30, 2004)
  Detectable Warnings Memorandum (May 6, 2002)
  FHWA and the US Access Board encourage the use of the latest recommended design for truncated domes.

• Accessible Pedestrian Signals

  • Synthesis and Guide to Best Practices Website - this website provides overall information on installation criteria and design considerations.

  • Synthesis and Guide to Best Practices Article - this article provides the latest recommended technical specifications for installing accessible pedestrian signals.

Other Links

• The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
  Provides information on a wide variety of engineering, encouragement, education, and enforcement topics. The Center was established with funding from the US DOT and is operated by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, in cooperation with the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals.