PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE FACILITIES

Pedestrian and bicycle facilities represent additional non-motorized modes of travel that offer alternatives to the single-occupant automobile. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Element in the 2020 Transportation Plan (adopted in 2000) focuses on these two modes and the recommended improvements.

Pedestrian Facilities

Improvement to pedestrian facilities should be targeted at the safety and convenience of the user.

Amenities for pedestrians such as lights, benches, and adequate crosswalks with associated warning signs can further encourage walking as a viable form of transportation.

Many parts of the City and County are limited in the availability of pedestrian facilities. A dedicated pedestrian and bicycle trail system is planned as illustrated in the TRACC (Trails Across Churchill County) plan (see TRACC section below). It identifies key locations in the downtown central business district and commercial areas along Williams Avenue. It also identifies a need to educate drivers about the fact that pedestrians have the right-of-way at crosswalks. The Churchill County Bicycle Plan prepared by Nevada Dept. of Transportation (Appendix J) was adopted in 2015 and

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includes additional changes and improvements beyond the TRACC plan. It is focused on bicycle facilities, but includes some limited pedestrian facilities. The goal and policies below are based on the Transportation Plan developed and adopted in 2000.

Bicycle Facilities

The Bicycle Element in the 2020 Transportation Plan is based on the TRACC Plan. The text, goal, and policies below are generally based on the Transportation Plan, but have been updated in subsequent Master Plans. In addition, the 2015 Churchill County Bicycle Plan identifies a multipurpose trail system in the County. Within the city limits, a potential network of bicycle routes was identified following a simple compatibility analysis. Development of the TRACC plan included public participation. The major areas of public concern related to bicycling in Churchill County are:

• Lack of continuous routes to major destinations.

• Major physical barriers (canals, US Highway 50, US Highway 95 and railroads).

• Conflicts with motor vehicles.

• Need for additional trails and the completion of crucial trail links.

• Need to promote bicycling as a beneficial, legitimate form of alternative transportation.

• Lack of places to lock up your bike upon arrival at most locations.

Trails Across Churchill County (TRACC) and the Bicycle Plan

Bicycling, hiking, and walking are forms of transportation, usually for recreation or destination purposes. They can take place almost anywhere but are facilitated by a trail, path, or road, so they often coexist with other transportation facilities. Consequently they are addressed in the Transportation Chapter, rather than the Recreation Chapter. For road use, low traffic roads are best. For high traffic roads, dedicated space is recommended, such as sidewalks for pedestrians and bike lanes for bicycles. For non-road use, some type of trail is helpful and often preferred.

The County’s trail planning effort began in 1998 with Trails Across Churchill County (TRACC), which focused on bicycle routes but also included hiking and equestrian trails. A planning group was formed to develop a Master Plan for trail development. A route plan was recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission and passed by the Churchill County Commission to become part of the County's Master Plan (See Map 8-2). The TRACC Plan was incorporated into the 2003 Master Plan update.

With adoption of the TRACC plan, several bicycle routes were designated. These are identified on the TRACC map and mostly follow low-traffic routes that have the appeal for leisurely travel:

• A separate bike lane on Highway 50 west of Fallon between Coleman Road and Soda Lake Road (2.2 miles), with signs, road striping, and widened shoulders.

• A paved, shared-path (bicycle and pedestrian lane) north of Sheckler Road (between the road and the canal), and running from the Schurz Highway to Allen Road (1 mile) - installed 2008.

• A bike route with signage that follows a winding 7.2 mile route through the farmland south of Fallon. It starts at the Allen Road/Sheckler Road intersection (at the end of the shared path described above), and runs generally south along Allen Road, St. Clair Road, Bass Road, Schindler Road, Solias Road, and Lone Tree Road, ending where the road changes to a state highway. The shared path and signed route form a single continuous bike route.

In the 2015 Churchill County Bicycle Plan (approved 9/3/2015), the biking component was more developed than in the TRACC Plan. The TRACC Plan and Bicycle Plan are similar but propose different facilities and have some route differences. The main differences are that the Bicycle Plan is focused on bicycles (including shared-use paths) and mainly recommends bike lanes outside

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the City. Two shared-use paths are included in the Bicycle Plan. In addition, it is mainly intended to obtain funding for bike improvements during local and state government road projects.

Map 8-2

The TRACC Plan covers a broader range of users and facilities (including pedestrians/hikers and horses). It is also intended to be implemented during development projects, as required in the Master Plan policies, the County Code, and during road projects. In addition to bike routes, the plan includes shared hiking, mountain bike, and equestrian routes along mainly gravel or dirt roads, as well as equestrian riding and wildlife viewing areas. Most of the designated bike routes are paved, with a few gravel segments. The TRACC Plan describes different bike facilities but does not connect them to AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) standards, so Policy T 3.2.1 does so. The pedestrian and bicycle policies below incorporate the TRACC Plan policies.

In 2018, the State designated US Highway 50 as a segment of the US Bicycle Route System across Nevada. This route runs from Border, Utah, through Nevada including Churchill County

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west to Stateline, Nevada (which is the California state line). It is the only designated segment in the State and creates part of the planned route for all of US Highway 50 across the United States.

Goals and Policies for Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities

 GOAL T 2: Ensure safe and convenient movement by pedestrians and wheelchairs within the County to access schools, recreation facilities, and public facilities.

o Policy T 2.1: Continue to review sidewalk standards regarding width and timing of installation.

o Policy T 2.2: Review and improve coordination of multi-use trail crossings of roadways identified on the TRACC system.

o Policy T 2.3: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current pedestrian network that evaluates existing facilities and identifies recommended improvements. Particular attention should be given to the areas around schools, parks, and high traffic areas.

o Policy T 2.4: Incorporate appropriate pedestrian crossing signs, striping, and signal buttons to facilitate safe crossing.

o Policy T 2.5: Implement a process by which additional improvements can be constructed with available funds.

o Policy T 2.6: Develop design policies for pedestrian circulation and access in developing areas of the County consistent with established Federal and State design standards and regulations, including American Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

 GOAL T 3: Continue to develop a safe and functional bicycle system that includes safety education for bicyclists and motorists, promotes bicycling as an alternative mode of transportation and recreation, and enforces regulations affecting cyclists.

o Policy T 3.1: If segments of rail line are abandoned, Churchill County should enter discussions with railroad companies and adjacent landowners to investigate opportunities to establish trails using the railroad bed/easements.

o Policy T 3.2: Continue to implement the TRACC Plan and Bicycle Plan throughout the County.

o Policy T 3.2.1: Follow the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) guidelines for bicycle and pedestrian facilities to establish and expand a trail system that links parks, schools, open areas, and shopping areas to neighborhoods, and encourage and support recreation and alternate forms of transportation. Include walking paths, bike routes, mountain bike trails, and separated paved bike paths in the trail system to accommodate all potential users. AASHTO standards shall be applied to TRACC plan routes as follows:

a) Bike Route designation. “Map-only” with no improvements or signage. Uses AASHTO Shared Lane standards, including both paved and gravel surfaces.

b) Bike Route with Signage designation. Only one was proposed south of Fallon and is already completed. Uses AASHTO Shared Lane with signage standards.

c) Shared Use Path designation. Only one was proposed north of Regional Park and is already completed. Uses AASHTO Shared Use Path standards.

d) Marked Bike Lane designation. Only one was proposed on US Highway 50 and is already constructed. Uses AASHTO Bike Lane standards

e) Bike Route Wide Shoulders designation. Only one is proposed on US Highway 95 south of Fallon. Uses AASHTO Paved Shoulder standards, which looks the same as the Bike Lane except for ground painting.

f) Hiking/Mountain Biking/Equestrian designation. “Map-only” with no improvements or signage. No AASHTO standards. Suitable for gravel and dirt roads and trails.

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o Policy T 3.2.2: Establish equestrian trailheads and, where practical, equestrian trails that provide access to open space, water sources, and historic trails.

o Policy T 3.2.3: Work with landowners, developers, agencies to obtain appropriate trail easements, especially along the Carson River corridor.

o Policy T 3.2.4: When obtaining funding and designing projects for local roads and highways, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and County Road Department should include bicycle improvements identified in the Churchill County Bicycle Plan, TRACC Plan, and State bicycle plan.

o Policy T 3.3: Create and install a signage and marking program to identify the bicycle system as well as alert motorists to the presence of bicyclists and the necessity of sharing the road.

o Policy T 3.4: Ensure that all bicycle systems are consistent with the TRACC corridors and connections.

o Policy T 3.5: Promote safe on-street routes along all streets and highways by removing portions of on-street parking or widening sections of the roadway to safely accommodate bicycles.

o Policy T 3.6: Ensure that all streets and highways are maintained for safe bicycle riding.

o Policy T 3.7: Continue to consider adding bike lanes or widened shoulders to County-maintained roads when road improvements are done.

o Policy T 3.8: Continue to work with NDOT to build awareness of TRACC and ensure that bike routes, lanes, and facilities are incorporated into NDOT’s highway maintenance and construction programs including widening shoulders, and designated bike lanes along US Highway 50 which is a state approved bike route across the United States.

o Policy T 3.9: Ensure that public facilities are equipped with secure bike racks.

o Policy T 3.10: Consult with Churchill County cyclists to determine priorities regarding bicycle issues.

AIRPORT, RAIL, AND FREIGHT MOVEMENT