Identifying and Addressing the Needs of Pedestrians with Vision Impairment at Protected Intersections with Separated Bicycle Lanes

Making pedestrian facilities in public rights-of-way accessible to people with vision disabilities is required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Bicyclists can pose safety challenges for these pedestrians near bike facilities, as bicycles are largely inaudible—especially in the typically noisy environments of public streets. A particular concern is the ability of pedestrians with vision disabilities to safely cross separated bicycle lanes (also known as protected bike lanes or cycle tracks) at protected intersections or similar locations. A growing number of agencies are installing separated bicycle lanes to provide spatial separation between bicycles and motor vehicle traffic to improve safety. The use of “protected intersections” is also increasing. Where pedestrians must cross separated bicycle lanes, it is important that crossing locations are clearly communicated to both bicyclists and pedestrians. Pedestrians with vision disabilities require tactile —and potentially audible—wayfinding information to help them locate crossing points and avoid inadvertently walking in bicycle lanes. Research is needed to develop consistent guidance on how to convey this information in non-visual formats. The objective of this research is to develop guidelines for transportation planners and engineers to support accessible wayfinding at pedestrian crossings of separated bicycle lanes for pedestrians with vision disabilities.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5870
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $700,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 15-89

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Project Managers:

  Nasri, Arefeh

• Start Date: 20250526
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycle lanes; Guidelines; Intersections; Pedestrian safety; Pedestrians; Visually impaired persons; Wayfinding
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01956571
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 15-89
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: May 28 2025 10:21AM