NYS Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Council

Kick-off MeetingNotes

NYSDOT Conference Rooms A&B

50 Wolf Road, Albany, NY

Held August 2, 2010,10:00 am – 12:30 pm

1) Welcome and Opening Remarks: Acting Commissioner Gee:

Acting Commissioner Gee started the proceedings by welcoming the invited members of the New York State Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Council (the Council) and guests in attendance. He announced the Council would be a forum for the exchange of ideas between the New York State Department of Transportation (the Department) and private and public entities with vested interests in bicycle and pedestrian issues.

Acting Commissioner Gee indicated that during today’s meeting the Department would be seeking Council Members’ feedback on two ongoing Department initiatives; 1) United States Bicycle Route (USBR) System, and 2) both Centerline Audible Rumble Strips and Shoulder Audible Rumble Strips.

The Commissioner also noted that in future Council meetings the Department would be discussing items of significant interest to the Council,including three pending New York State legislative initiatives ; Complete Streets, Smart Growth, and Bicycle Safe Passing Distance.

2) Council Member Introductions:

Acting Commissioner Gee asked the invited Council members to introduce themselves and to briefly explain theirrespective organization’s interests in the Council and bicycle/pedestrian issues. [See attached list of attendees.]

3) Overview of NYSDOT’s Role and Bicycle and Pedestrian Activities

Bob Zerrillo, Acting Director, NYSDOT Policy and Planning Division Mr. Zerrillo provided the Council with an overview of current Federal and State funding sources the Department utilizes to fund bicycle and pedestrian projects. A handout was provided that provided greater detail on the funding sources and programs (copy attached).

Eric Ophardt, Program Manager, NYSDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Mr. Ophardt provide the Council with a history of the bicycle and pedestrian program. He explained the Program was created in 1991 as a result of the passage of Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), which required all State DOT’s to create a Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, as well as a position for a Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. He noted that the Council has a long legacy beginning with the 1985 Governor’s Bicycle Advisory Council, and that an earlier version of the New York State Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Council operated between 1993 and 1997.

Diane Kenneally, Director, Local Programs Bureau Ms. Kenneally provided the Council with an update of the Federally-funded Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program and the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP). She informed the Council that NYSDOT is considering modifying the solicitation process for both programs. She stated the NYSDOT would advise the Council on potentialprocess changes to these programs and seek their feedback on the process.

4) NYSDOT Presentations for Council Member’s Feedback

U.S. Bicycle Routes System – Eric Ophardt

Mr. Ophardt discussed the State’s potential participation in the U.S. Bicycle Routes (USBR) effort involving the signing a series of numbered of routesacross New York State. He explained the USBR system was developed by the Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) and endorsed in 2008 by the American Association of State Transportation Officials (AASHTO). There are four USBR proposed Routes that would travel through New York and connect with neighboring states:

USBR 1 – East Coast Greenway

USBR 9 – Hudson River Valley

USBR 15 – Central New York

USBR30 –Upstate New York

Mr. Ophardt explained with respect to USBR 30 that NYSDOT will contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to coordinate any proposed signing of USBR proposed Routes. NYSDOT staff will be seeking the support and feedback from the Council on the preferred alignmentsfor these bicycle routes across New York.

Rumble Strips on Rural Highways – Rick Wilder, Section Director, Office of Design

Mr. Wilder opened with a discussion of the need to address lane departures and that 120 deaths and 3,500 injuries occur in New York State every year from non-intersection head-on and opposite direction side-swipe crashes. Nationwide, tens of thousands of miles of centerline rumble strips have been installed and studies conducted by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 641, Guidance for the Design and Application of Shoulder and Center Line Rumble Strips show that centerline rumble strips can reduce these types of crashes by 44% in rural areas and 64% in urban areas.

Mr. Wilder stated the NYSDOT has circulated a draft Engineering Instruction (EI) for Centerline Rumble Streets. The draft EI was sent to groups outside of the NYSDOT including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and New York Bicycling Coalition (NYBC). The Department has received and responded to the comments from NYBC. The centerline rumble strips differ substantially from the rumble strips on the freeway shoulders. The centerline rumble strips would be placed under the centerline marking, be only 12” wide, and be spaced 24” apart, twice as far as the freeway rumble strips. Mr. Wilder noted that NYSDOT is considering installingcenterline rumble strips only on sections of state highway where the posted speed is 45 MPH or greater;the traffic volume is 2,000 vehicles per day or more; and the combined travel lane and shoulder width is 13 feet or wider. Areas where centerline rumble strips would not be included; roadways with a posted speed limit below 45 MPH, intersections, crosswalks, and major commercial driveways. Overall,centerline rumble strips could impact approximately 7,000 (+/-) miles of the total 114,000 (+/-) miles of highways in New York State.

NYSDOT performed a systematic crash analysis for centerline rumble strips in accordance with FHWA, NCHRP and AASHTO recommendations. The Department expects the useof centerline rumble strips to prevent approximately 20 deaths and 250 serious injuries per year. The Commissioner stated that the systematic crash analysis will be shared with the council members by placingit on the Department’s website.

Mr. Wilder stated the use of shoulder rumble strips is still under preliminary review by NYSDOT. He noted that 25 other states are currently using shoulder rumble strips, and the New York State Thruway has seen an 88% reduction in drift off road crashes and a 95% reduction in drift off road fatalities since it installed shoulder rumble strips. He also noted that the Department has not found any evidence or documented studies which link the use of centerline or shoulderrumble strips with an increase in the number of bicyclist crashes or fatalities. Mr. Wilder stated the NYSDOT is continuing its review of the potential use of shoulder rumble strips and would be open to any feedback from the Council Members regarding the possible installation of centerline and shoulder rumble strips. The Department is considering a wide range of factors to ensure that shoulder rumble strips in New York State save lives and are compatible with cycling.

The Department is performing a systematic crash analysis for shoulder rumble strips in accordance with FHWA, NCHRP and AASHTO recommendations. The report should be complete in a couple of months and will be shared with the council members.

Acting Commissioner Gee added the NYSDOT would continue to study the use of shoulder rumble streets and was looking forward to working with the Council Members’ organizations to identify and reduce any negative impacts they may cause cyclists.

Mr. Wilder noted that information on rumble strips is posted under roadway on NYSDOT’s webpage at:

5) Next Steps and Scheduling of Future Council Meetings

Acting Commissioner Gee stated the NYSDOT would begin looking at potential dates for the next Council meeting in the Fall of 2010. The NYSDOT would also have a draft agenda prepared and circulated to the Council members prior to the next meeting.

He noted the NYSDOT has the following deliverables:

1) The NYSDOT Shoulder and Centerline Rumble Strip studies would be made available on its website [

2) The NYSDOT would keep the Council informed on any proposed changes to the process steps and administration of the SRTS and TEP Programs;

3) The NYSDOT will contact representatives of PennDOT and MassDOT to coordinate the signing of USBR 30 with these neighboring states. The NYSDOT will partner with the Council to identity a preferred alignment for USBR 30 across upstate New York; and,

4) The NYSDOT will keep the members of the Council informed on pending legislation in the legislature or currently before the Governor including:

  • Complete Streets
  • Smart Growth
  • Safe passing distance for bicyclists

5) The next meeting of the Advisory Council is tentatively planned for November.

Acting Commissioner Gee wrapped up the Council meeting by reminding members to submit any issues which they would like to have discussed at the next meeting to Eric Ophardt () or by phone at 518-457-0922.

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