RE: [BicycleDriving] Abridged summary of bicycledriving@googlegroups.com - speed humps

[Natalie aka Bike Mom]

Thank you for this reminder, Serge.  I would like to create a new post about speed humps and raised crosswalks, but I do not remember how to do so.  The “New Conversation” button in Google is greyed out, and I cannot select it.

 

In Hawaii the DOT has installed many speed humps/raised crosswalks on Oahu.  My concern is that some of them are unsafe for bicyclists.  For example, one is installed all the way across the shoulder, and the state added curbs at the outside end of the shoulder, so bicyclists have no choice but to go over the hump.  It does taper down at the outside end, but there are no markings to indicate to bicyclists that the hump extends into their riding area.

 

Another is near the bottom of a hill in which bicyclists are likely going over 25 mph.  When I came across that one, I had to hit the brakes and was thought I might wipe out.  Both of these speed humps are on roadways in which the speed limit is 35 mph, which I understand violates federal guidelines.

 

I’m just wondering how others fee about these devices.

 

Pedaling Toward a Bicycle-Safe Hawaii -- Same Roads, Same Rules, Same Rights

 

A hui hou, Natalie

 

Natalie Iwasa

Honolulu, HI  96825

Phone  808-395-3233 (land line)

 

Unless expressly stated, this email is intended for the sole use of the person or persons I sent it to and should not be forwarded or otherwise shared.  As a professional and volunteer, I have various responsibilities, and those responsibilities at times may create conflicts of interest.  Therefore, any opinions stated in this email are mine and do not represent those of my firm or any other organizations of which I may be a member.

[Bob Shanteau]

Natalie,

The current FHWA MUTCD contains signs & markings for speed humps, but speed humps themselves are not considered traffic control devices and so are not regulated by the MUTCD. Speed humps should be regulated by your state DOT, however.

For more on speed humps, see this FHWA publication:
https://highways.dot.gov/safety/speed-management/speed-management-countermeasures-more-just-speed-humps

Bob Shanteau

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[Natalie aka Bike Mom]

Thank you, Bob.  I’m somewhat familiar with the MUTCD.  The federal guidelines I think Hawaii is in violation of are found at https://highways.dot.gov/safety/speed-management/traffic-calming-eprimer/module-3-part-2#3.10.  I don’t know how that relates to the MUTCD, but it seems to be just as important.  (I cannot find similar Hawaii guidelines.)

 

A hui hou, Natalie

[Bob Shanteau]

Natalie,

The FHWA document you linked to references speed hump guidelines from ITE. Guidelines are not mandatory, but if an agency fails to follow them and is defending itself in a lawsuit, it better have a darn good reason. Public agencies have an obligation to follow a standard of care to the public. In this case the standard of care would be Hawaii's highway design manual (like Caltrans has) or, if none, the AASHTO Green Book, perhaps supplemented by things like the ITE Guidelines.

How in particular do the speed humps in Hawaii fail to meet the ITE Guidelines?

Bob Shanteau

[Natalie aka Bike Mom]

Thank you for that information, Bob.  I wasn’t aware there are so many different sets of rules for roadway infrastructure. 

 

There were several ITE guidelines that Hawaii appears to have disregarded with respect to the placement of speed humps/raised crosswalks, specifically:

 

• Placement on roadways in which the speed limit is 35 mph.  (My understanding is that 30 mph is the max.)
• Placement on roadways that are used for express buses.
• Placement on routes used by emergency vehicles, e.g., Kalanianaole Hwy. from Waimanalo to Castle Hospital.

 

I also question the installment of a speed hump on the downhill side of Kalanianaole Hwy. near the women’s prison in Kailua.  My understanding is there are restrictions for certain grade hills, but I do not know the grade of this hill. 

 

There’s also a speed hump in East Honolulu that extends into the shoulder where bicyclists ride, but there are no markings there.  It does taper off at the far end of the shoulder, however, the state also installed curbs on the outside of the shoulder at the point of the hump, so bicyclists cannot easily go around.

 

I don’t see anything in the index for the Green Book about speed humps or raised crosswalks,

 

Pedaling Toward a Bicycle-Safe Hawaii -- Same Roads, Same Rules, Same Rights

 

A hui hou, Natalie