List of definitions

Definitions of Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities and Terms

ADA

American With Disabilities Act of 1990. Broad legislation mandating provision of access to employment, services, and the built environment to those with disabilities.

Bicycle Facilities

A general term denoting improvements and provisions made by public agencies to accommodate or encourage bicycling, including parking and storage facilities, and shared roadways not specifically designated for bicycle use.

Bicycle Lane or Bike Lane

A portion of a roadway which has been designated by striping, signing and pavement markings for the preferential or exclusive use of bicyclists

Bicycle Route System (Bike Route)

A system of bikeways designated by the jurisdiction having authority with appropriate directional and information route markers, with or without specific bicycle route numbers. Bike routes should establish a continuous routing, but may be a combination of any and all types of bikeways.

Bikeway

A generic term for any road, street, path or way which in some manner is specifically designated for bicycle travel, regardless of whether such facilities are designated for the exclusive use of bicycles or are to be shared with other transportation modes.

Crosswalk

Any portion of a highway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface. Unmarked extensions of the shoulder, curb line or sidewalk are also referred to as crosswalks.

Curb Radius

A measure of the sharpness of the corner formed by two intersecting streets.

Curb Ramp

A combined ramp and landing within a public sidewalk to accomplish a change of level at a curbed street crossing.

Designated Shared Roadway

A shared roadway which has been designated by signing as a preferred route for bicycle use. (Same as Bike Route.)

Grade Separation

The vertical separation of conflicting travel ways with a structure, usually a bridge or underpass.

Greenway

A linear open space established along either a natural corridor, such as a riverfront, stream valley or ridgeline; or overland along a railroad right-of-way converted to recreational use, a canal, or other route. A greenway, as a broad conservation concept, may or may not allow public access or formal trail development.

Median

A raised or painted portion of a divided highway separating travel lanes carrying traffic in opposite directions.

Parkway

The space provided to separate the sidewalk from the vehicular travel facilities, usually landscaped and used for various utilities and signing.

Pavement Markings

Painted or applied lines or symbols placed on a roadway surface for regulating, guiding or warning traffic.

Pedestrian Signal

The signal head that indicates the walk/don’t walk phase of a traffic signal.

Public Walkway

A pedestrian facility on public or private space intended to provide passage for public use.

Rail-Trail

A shared use path, either paved or unpaved, built within the right-of-way of an existing or former railroad.

Raised Crosswalk

A variation of a speed hump in which a crosswalk is raised to sidewalk level and frequently surfaced to coordinate with the sidewalk rather than the street.

Refuge Island

A raised, curbed or painted area within an intersection that allows the pedestrian to cross a portion of the street in one movement and continue or wait to cross the next portion.

Right-of-way

The right of one vehicle operator or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another.

Shared Roadway

A roadway which is open to both bicycle and motor vehicle travel. This may be an existing roadway, street with wide curb lanes, or a road with paved shoulders.

Shared Use Path

A bikeway physically separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier, and either within the highway right-of-way or within an independent right-of-way. Shared use paths may also be used by pedestrians, skaters, wheelchair users, joggers and other non-motorized users.

Shoulder

The portion of the roadway contiguous with the traveled way for accommodation of stopped vehicles, for emergency use and for lateral support of sub-base, base and surface courses. When paved and of sufficient width, shoulders provide space for bicycle and pedestrian travel. A shoulder is usually separated from the travel lane by striping, and may be signed as a bike lane under moderate traffic conditions.

Sidepath

A two-way shared use path located immediately adjacent to a roadway, like an extra wide sidewalk. Not recommended in most applications due to space limitations, operational problems, and safety hazards at intersections.

Sidewalk

The portion of a highway, designed for preferential or exclusive use by pedestrians. (AASHTO) It is usually separated from the roadway with a curb and/or parkway and constructed of a hard durable material.

Speed Humps/ Tables

Raised street sections placed either at intersections or in other locations where they are intended to slow traffic. They are usually 10-12 feet in longitudinal length.

Traffic Calming

Roadway design measures used to slow or divert traffic to increase the safety and attractiveness of streets, especially for pedestrians.

Trail, Multi-Use Path or Bicycle Path

Same as Shared Use Path. However, the term bicycle path is becoming less common, since such facilities are rarely used exclusively by cyclists.

Wide Curb Lane

An outside or curbside travel lane of sufficient width for a bicyclist and motorist to share the lane with a comfortable degree of separation. The bicycle space is not striped, and generally the total width is less than a road with a paved shoulder or bike lane treatment.

<< Previous | Index | Ordering Information | Next >>

This page was created for the Iowa DOT by SRF Consulting Group, Inc. and Dunbar Jones Partnership. This page is maintained by Jay Larson jay.larson@dot.iowa.gov. Your questions and comments are welcome.