Monday, December 6, 2010

TDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Policy

. . I am pleased to announce that TDOT Commissioner Nicely has signed the TDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Policy, effective December 1st, 2010!  This policy is a Complete Streets policy that supercedes the 2004 TDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Policy.  The new policy can be found on our website at http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/bikeped/pdfs/policy.pdf
. . This policy is very similar to the 2004 policy, but we wanted to update the language for several reasons:  First, in accordance with FHWA policy, we needed to update the TDOT bicycle and pedestrian policy to reflect federal guidelines regarding bicycle and pedestrian accommodation on federal-aid bridge projects.  Secondly, through bicycle and pedestrian conference calls and meetings with advocates and members of local government, we received feedback on how to improve the language of the 2004 policy so that it reflects the initiatives we've developed over the past few years (i.e. accommodating bicycles and pedestrians in resurfacing projects where applicable, creation of bicycle-friendly rumble stripe standards, and coordinating better with local governments to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians on both state managed projects and locally-managed projects that utilize federal funds).  Lastly, the policy is updated to reflect the growing need to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians, not only on roadway projects, but also projects involving air, rail, transit, and marine.
. . Please feel free to call or email me if you have any questions or concerns.
Jessica L. Wilson, TDOT Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator

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