Publications

The list of publications found on this page has been compiled to help provide quick access to valuable references. Here you will find links to publications that provide insight into the planning and decision process common to building a intermodal transportation system that focuses on accessibility and safety.

On this page:

• Legislation and Funding
• Facility Planning
• Facility Design
• Facility Operations
• Education and Training
• Safety
• Additional Publications

Legislation and Funding

• Bicycle and Pedestrian Provisions of the Federal-aid Program (brochure)
  FHWA-PD-98-049
  Explains how Federal funds can be used to provide facilities and programs for bicyclists and pedestrians.

• Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program
  SAFETEA-LU section 1807 created a new pilot program to study how pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements increase walking and bicycling.

• Safe Routes to School Program
  SAFETEA-LU section 1404 created a new Federal Safe Routes to School program.

Facility Planning

• A Comparative Analysis of Bicycle Lanes Versus Wide Curb Lanes. Final Report
  FHWA-RD-99-034
  Provides a description of the research methodology, data collection procedures, and analysis used to compare the safety and operations of bicycle lanes and wide curb lanes.

• The Bicycle Compatibility Index: A Level of Service Concept, Final Report
  FHWA-RD-98-072
  Presents a methodology to determine how compatible a roadway is for allowing efficient operation of both bicycles and motor vehicles.

• A Guide to Transportation Decisionmaking
  Explains in layman's terms how transportation projects are developed.

• Guidebook on Methods to Estimate Nonmotorized Travel: Overview of Methods
  FHWA-RD-98-165
  Describes and compares the various methods and tools that can be used to forecast non-motorized travel demand.

• Guidebook on Methods to Estimate Nonmotorized Travel: Supporting Documentation
  FHWA-RD-98-166
  Gives details on each method, including purpose, structure, input/data needs, assumptions, and real-world applications.

• Geographic Information Systems Applications For Bicycle And Pedestrian Decision-Making Peer Exchange Summary Report
  This summary report is as a resource for transportation agencies looking to learn more about the implementation of GIS for bicycle and pedestrian planning.

Facility Design

• Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access
  FHWA's two-part report on pedestrian and trail accessibility, produced for FHWA by Beneficial Designs Inc.
  Note: these two reports were published in 1999 and 2001, respectively. Accessibility guidelines and practices, and construction and maintenance techniques have evolved, and more current information may be available in other reports. For example, related information is provided in the US Access Board's Special Report: Accessible Public Rights of Way Planning and Designing for Alterations and other reports available at http://www.access-board.gov/prowac/.

  • Part 1, Review of Existing Guidelines and Practices (1999), 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 (2001), provides recommendations on how to design sidewalks, street crossings, intersections, shared use paths, and recreational pedestrian trails. (Out of print, available online only)
    See also Transmittal Memorandum, Detectable Warnings Memorandum (July 2004), Detectable Warnings Memorandum (May 2002), and Errata Sheet.

• The Bicycle Compatibility Index: A Level of Service Concept, Implementation Manual
  FHWA-RD-98-095
  Presents the process for determining the level of service of roadways providing for joint use by motorists and bicyclsits.

• Bicycle Lanes Versus Wide Curb Lanes: Operational and Safety Findings and Countermeasure Recommendations
  FHWA-RD-99-035
  Reports research on the operational effects of both wide curb lanes and marked bicycle lanes.

• Building a True Community: Final Report, Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee
  Recommends accessibility guidelines for sidewalks, street crossings, and intersections.
  • See also: Revised Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way - 11/23/05

• Characteristics of Emerging Road and Trail Users and their Safety
  Design professionals can use the results of this study to design roadway and shared-use path facilities to meet the operational and safety needs of this growing and diverse group of users.

• Eighth Japan/US Workshop on Advanced Technology in Highway Engineering: Nighttime and Pedestrian Safety
  Presents the results of this workshop on pedestrian safety in reduced lighting conditions.

• The Final Report of the Regulatory Negotiation Committee on Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas
  Proposes accessibility guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act for trails, outdoor recreation access routes, beach access routes, and picnic and camping facilities.

• Flexibility in Highway Design
  FHWA-PD-97-062
  Presents methods of designing facilities that are sensitive to the surrounding environment that still meet accepted design guidelines.

• Geometric Design Practices for European Roads
  FHWA-PL-01-026
  Presents examples of European design practice and operations.

• Implementing Bicycle Improvements at the Local Level
  FHWA-RD-98-105
  Demonstrates what facility designs and operational practices can be used to enhance bicycle travel. Available from the FHWA Safety Office under State and Local Plans/Guidelines.

• Rails with Trails: Lessons Learned, Literature Review, Current Practices, Conclusions
  A research report about trails located near railroad and transit rights-of-way.
  • FHWA Distribution Memorandum

• Selecting Roadway Design Treatments to Accommodate Bicycles
  FHWA-RD-92-073
  Presents a methodology for selecting the most appropriate type of on-road bicycle facility.

Facility Operations

• Capacity Analysis of Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
  FHWA-RD-98-108
  Documents the research to determine the updated capacity analysis methodology for the Highway Capacity Manual. Recommended Procedures for the "Bicycles" Chapter of the Highway Capacity Manual.

• Capacity Analysis of Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
  FHWA-RD-98-107
  Recommends procedures for the "Pedestrians" Chapter of the Highway Capacity Manual

• Capacity Analysis of Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
  FHWA-RD-98-106
  Recommends Procedures for the "Signalized Intersections" Chapter of the Highway Capacity Manual

• Traffic Calming: State of the Practice
  FHWA-RD-99-135
  Summarizes the various methods used to either slow or divert motor vehicle traffic. Published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

Education and Training

• FHWA University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
  Provides current information on pedestrian and bicycle planning and design techniques, as well as practical lessons on how to increase bicycling and walking through land-use practices and engineering design.

• NHI Pedestrian Facility Design Course
  This 1.5 day course provides information and application opportunities for those involved in the design of pedestrian facilities.

• NHI Bicycle Facility Design Course
  This 1.5 day course provides information and application opportunities for those involved in the design of bicycle facilities.

Safety

• Pedestrian Safety - Report to Congress
  A comprehensive report on pedestrian safety that builds on the current level of knowledge of pedestrian safety countermeasures by identifying the most effective advanced technology and intelligent transportation systems.

• A Resident's Guide for Creating Walkable Communities
  This guide is designed to be used by anyone looking for ways to improve the walkability of their neighborhood, whether they are just beginning to learn about pedestrian safety or are already part of an established community safety group.

• Informational Report on Lighting Design for Midblock Crosswalks
  This report provides information on lighting parameters and design criteria that should be considered when installing fixed roadway lighting for midblock crosswalks.

• How To Develop a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
  The document will help state and local officials know where to begin to address pedestrian safety issues.

• Pedestrian Safety Campaign
  A ready-made toolkit of safety related outreach materials that States and communities can customize and use locally.

• Good Practices Guide for Bicycle Safety Education
  FHWA-SA-02-001
  A guide to developing your own bicycle education program or selecting the most effective program for your needs.

• Bicycle Safer Journey
  A virtual journey designed to increase our awareness of bicycle safety. Its use is intended for the general public, road user, safety advocates, and safety.

• Safer Journey: Interactive Pedestrian Safety Awareness
  An interactive web site that takes the user through various pedestrian safety scenarios encountered every day by pedestrians.

• Pedestrian Forum newsletter
  A quarterly newsletter focusing on topics on how to improve conditions for bicycling and walking and to make them safer ways to travel.

Additional Publications

• Guide to Promoting Bicycling on Federal Lands
  This report provides guidance to Federal land managers on how to promote bicycling.

• National Bicycling and Walking Study (1994)
  Developed a national plan of action to increase the use and safety of bicycling and walking in the United States.
  • Five Year Status Report - 1999
    Presents the progress made in the first five years in implementing the Federal action plan of this national study.
  • Ten Year Status Report - 2004
    A progress report on the Federal Action Plan of the National Bicycling and Walking Study has been prepared and is available here.
  • Fifteen Year Status Report - 2010
    The most recent update on progress made toward the original goals of lowering the number of fatalities while increasing the percentage of trips made by bicycling and walking.

• National Survey of Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behavior
  The goals of the DOT sponsored survey were to ascertain the scope and magnitude of bicycle and pedestrian activity and the public's behavior and attitudes regarding bicycling and walking.

• Bicycle and Pedestrian Data: Sources, Needs, and Gaps
  BTS00-02
  Reports the results of what data is available and what is need on bicycling and walking.

• Freedom to Travel
  A report from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics on the travel needs for people with disabilities.

• Pedestrian and Bicyclist Standards and Innovations in Large Central Cities
  The report reviews how best to accommodate the use of bicycles and walking while ensuring safety and sufficient mobility for motor vehicles for large central cities and provides examples of best practices in various cities nationally and internationally.

• National Strategies for Advancing Bicycle Safety (June 2001) A call to action to improve bicycle safety with five critical goals and 18 specific action items.

• National Strategies for Advancing Child Pedestrian Safety Proposes strategies intended to be used by anyone interested in reducing pedestrian injuries among children, while encouraging them to explore their environment by walking.

• Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Types of the Early 1990s
  FHWA-RD-95-163
  A technical summary of a study updating crash categorization methodology.

• Conflicts on Multiple-Use Trails
  FHWA-PD-94-031
  Presents a series of principles for more effective operations of multi use trails.

• The Effects of Bicycle Accommodations on Bicycle/Motor Vehicle Safety and Traffic Operations
  FHWA-RD-92-069
  Presents the results of research on the operational effects of bicycle and motor vehicle operation on shared roadways. NOTE: This publication is only available through the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). (800) 553-6847 or orders@ntis.fedworld.com.

• Bicycling and Walking in the Nineties and Beyond: Applying Scandinavian Experience to America's Challenges
  FHWA-PL-95-005
  Reports on the results of a scanning trip to investigate effective programs and policies for bicycling and walking in northern Scandinavian countries. NOTE: This publication is only available through the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). (800) 553-6847 or orders@ntis.fedworld.com.