Piedmont Greenway Master Plan - Town of Kernersville

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with bike lanes, bike routes or streets that are frequently used by bicyclists. On diagonal railroad crossings, the flangeway can trap a bike’s front wheel causing it to divert. The end result is a quick fall for the bicyclist. This problem is most serious when the track crosses at an angle less than 45 degrees to the direction of travel. One solution is to provide a way for bicyclists to approach the track at a 60 degree angle or greater, by flaring the street. This solution allows the bicyclist to cross at a right angle without swerving into the path of passing motor vehicle traffic. Another solution is to install a commercially-available rubberized flangeway filler strip. The filler normally fills the gap between the inside railbed and the rail. When a train wheel rolls over it, the flangeway filler compresses. This solution, however, is not acceptable for high-speed rail lines, as the filler will not compress fast enough and the train may derail (North Carolina Bicycle Facility Design Guidelines, 1994). Secondary Trails Several other trail types are defined within the Master Plan. These range from natural surface footpaths to sidewalk trails. Footpaths along creeks should be maintained as natural surface trails. The only construction necessary will be the removal of stumps, fallen limbs, rocks and trash. These trails will be usable most of the time except when heavy rain have made the surface exceptionally muddy. Secondary trails also include sidewalk trails from adjacent neighborhoods and businesses to the primary trial, and signage that includes all on-road bicycle routing. Sidewalk trails are constructed from concrete or asphalt where they are missing from the existing route plan, and should be at least 6 feet wide. The additional trails should consider usage by cyclists where possible. The cyclists should be encouraged to use existing roadways and follow the appropriate signage. Some joint use of sidewalks may be necessary due to constrained roadway width. Concrete trails will be used at all bridge underpasses and in areas that are near the creeks such as box-culverts or along sewer easements. Sidewalk trails will be (preferably) 8 feet wide. Sidewalk trails should also consider usage by cyclists; especially in and near the downtown Kernersville areas. Where possible, cyclists should be encouraged to use existing roadways, although some joint use of sidewalks may be necessary due to constrained roadway width. All ramps will be constructed of concrete for a sturdy trail tread. has existing equestrian trails which will share access with some sections of the corridor and will be maintained along the length of the greenway. At the Pleasant Ridge Road Trailhead, both gravel trails and boardwalk trails will be used throughout the site to the north. The boardwalk trails are located in areas that are usually wet or are considered jurisdictional wetlands. Bicycle Facilities A bicycle route is a “suggested way” for a cyclist to get from a point of origin to a destination. Bike routes do not necessarily require physical improvements in order to accommodate bicyclists as they meet minimum safety criteria in their present conditions. Bike routes are preferable for the on-road trail sections for a number of reasons including directness, scenery, less congestion and lower speed limits. Location and Use Bicycle routes may be used by all types of cyclists. In the urban areas of the Piedmont Greenway they will be designated on residential streets with low traffic volumes where their use will be to direct cyclists to a destination within the community (parks, historic areas, etc.), or to provide a through-route for bicyclists. Additionally, the routes will serve as alternatives when the primary greenway is closed due to flooding and/or general maintenance. The routes will also serve as linkages for existing and proposed greenways within the corridor. Safety Criteria Residential streets do not necessarily have to be physically widened in order to be designated as bicycle routes. Most roads meet the minimum 12 foot standard wide lanes (or less) that can be designated as a bike route with appropriate signage, given that each condition below is met: Bike route signage should be used according to the standards in the MUTCD, which provides several choices in styles. Bicycle route signs should be placed at all areas where new incoming traffic enters the roadway. The recommended distance between signs should not be greater than two miles. In urban areas, directional arrows and captions are recommended to indicate nearby destinations of interest, particularly at intersections and railroad crossings. Where the elevation is higher and the soil is dryer (such as the Moore's Creek section), the trail tread will be densely compacted granular stone. The Moore's Creek trail PIEDMONT GREENWAY Final Master Plan Report • 58
ADA Requirements The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that portions of the Piedmont Greenway System trail be accessible to persons with varying motor skills and abilities. Perhaps the best way to comprehend the importance of ADA is to understand that most of us, at some time in our life, will experience a temporary disability which will affect the way in which we make use of outdoor resources. The best examples include relying on crutches due to a broken leg; limited ambulatory movement due to a sprained muscle; or carrying two sacks of groceries from the car to the front door and not being able to see the ground or stairs below your feet. ADA benefits all Americans by making the outdoor environment more accessible. For the Piedmont Greenway Trail and spur trails, the consultant and client need to focus on several important issues related to ADA. One of these involves the "path of travel", which essentially means that from the point where an individual parks an automobile, the path of travel from the auto to the desired public resource and the length of trail throughout that resource all need to be clearly defined and free of barriers. For persons confined to a wheelchair, this means that parking spaces should be located in an area that provides optimal access to the greenway trail and complementary facilities. The consultant is proposing a 10-footwide asphalt or concrete paved primary trail which is wide enough to accommodate a variety of users, including persons who depend on wheelchairs for mobility. The consultant does not foresee circumstances at this time that would require special design solutions along the trail, or within designated trailheads, to accommodate users with special physical challenges. Trail Signage System A comprehensive system of signage is required throughout the project to ensure that information is provided to trail users regarding the safe and appropriate use of all facilities. Signage includes post- or polemounted signs and pavement striping. Signage is further divided into information signs, directional signs, regulatory signs and warning signs. Trail signage should be developed to conform to the (2001) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Official Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities . The needs of cyclists will require special attention, since this project is designed to accommodate bicycle traffic. The graphic below illustrates the type of signage system proposed for installation along the Piedmont Greenway. The consultant recommends the use of recycled waste materials and products in the construction of all signage for the project. Greenways Incorporated has already constructed one greenway project using all recycled waste materials which offer design versatility, often have a long life span, and require less long-term maintenance than similar products constructed from natural materials. Recycled 3 feet (min.) 10 feet (min.) 10 to 12 ft. Trail 3 feet (min.) plastic lumber and or concrete can be used for the construction of posts and poles, and recycled aluminum can be used for signs. Wayside Exhibits and Greenway Kiosk In addition to signage, the consultant also recommends educational and historical wayside exhibits throughout the project at selected sites. Wayside exhibits should be built adjacent to the main trail (or spur trails), or at the terminus of a connecting trail and should provide information on the environment or an important historic event that occurred in close proximity to the greenway. The trail user will become more aware of the landscapes they are traversing with exhibits relating to stream ecology, Native American history, flood control or water quality. These wayside exhibit areas can also provide rest areas where people can sit and relax. The history of the surrounding area is rich in both environmental and educational opportunities. The Kernersville portion will have exhibits on the history in the area as Kernersville is the site of important historic landmarks such as the one-room school house located in Fourth-of-July Park. The greenway will provide an excellent opportunity to tell the history of the town of Kernersville and allow local citizens to become more familiar with important events in the area’s past. There are numerous opportunities to use small informational sites to tell the story of Forsyth and Guilford counties and the entire greenway system. The consultant notes that it is difficult in some areas to view the creeks and greenway from the higher elevations of adjacent roads, such as Highway 68 and the Pleasant Ridge Road Trail Head. Therefore, the consultant proposes placing greenway kiosks at the intersection of Highway 68 and Alcorn Road and at the Pleasant Ridge Road Bridge to inform passing motorists of the greenway site. The landscape surrounding the kiosk would be simple, consisting of a walkway system connected to the main trail, trees and groundcover. PIEDMONT GREENWAY Final Master Plan Report • 59
Page 1 and 2:
The Piedmont Greenway Master Plan L
Page 3 and 4:
TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary
Page 5 and 6:
LIST OF MAPS & FIGURES Figure 1: Re
Page 7 and 8:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Piedmont Gree
Page 9 and 10:
OVERVIEW AND INTRODUCTION Since the
Page 11 and 12:
VISION, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The fo
Page 13 and 14: BENEFITS OF GREENWAYS A multi-objec
Page 15 and 16: whether publicly or privately owned
Page 17 and 18: sensitive to erosion and need to be
Page 19 and 20: Mixed Hardwood Forest Ecosystem Sev
Page 21 and 22: mercial in some parts and open farm
Page 23 and 24: ounding Triad Park and Kernersville
Page 25 and 26: main Piedmont Greenway trail along
Page 27 and 28: The status of local lines could cha
Page 29 and 30: • As an alternative, the south si
Page 31 and 32: Proposed Piedmont Greenway Alignmen
Page 33 and 34: Primary Piedmont Greenway Segments
Page 35 and 36: 39 Willow Bend Legend Deer Crossing
Page 37 and 38: Croyden Ches Legend Morris Primary
Page 39 and 40: Brittainywood Roberson Farm Valleyd
Page 41 and 42: Legend Roxbury Primary Greenway Tra
Page 43 and 44: Legend Primary Greenway Trail Road
Page 45 and 46: Old Orchard Woodfield Cathi Nickel
Page 47 and 48: Asbury Deere Hitachi Kernersville L
Page 49 and 50: Farmwood Legend Piney Grove Bost Ra
Page 51 and 52: 0 Ira Main Chaucer Manor Clay Flynt
Page 53 and 54: Bunker Hill Saddle Brook Dapple Gre
Page 55 and 56: Morganshire Parcel Data not Availab
Page 57 and 58: Gaylord Morganshire Faye Legend Ree
Page 59 and 60: Windcrest Bronco Wooden Rail Watert
Page 61 and 62: Legend Hepatica Summerfield Summerf
Page 63: safety railings be installed where
Page 67 and 68: COST ESTIMATE FROM SALEM LAKE & LIN
Page 69 and 70: No. Item Qty. Unit Price Total V. K
Page 71 and 72: No. Item Qty. Unit Price Total VIII
Page 73 and 74: No. Item Qty. Unit Price Total XIII
Page 75 and 76: Estimate of Probable Land Acquisiti
Page 77 and 78: GREENWAY FUNDING SOURCES The most s
Page 79 and 80: PL 566-Watershed Protection and Flo
Page 81 and 82: METHODS OF GAINING PUBLIC ACCESS Ac
Page 83 and 84: Greenway Facility Safety and Securi
Page 85 and 86: 2) a risk management plan that appr
Page 87 and 88: landowner may still be sued but the
Page 89 and 90: NORTH CAROLINA TORT CLAIMS ACTS AND
Page 91 and 92: Supplemental Information ADDITIONAL
Page 93 and 94: THE WATERSHEDS OF FORSYTH AND GUILF
Page 95 and 96: By designating buffers within flood
Page 97 and 98: Appendix B: Public Meeting & Worksh
Page 99 and 100: Appendix D: Public Meeting & Worksh
Page 101 and 102: Appendix E: NC News Piedmont Greenw
Page 103 and 104: PIEDMONT GREENWAY Final Master Plan
Page 105 and 106: sources of water supply for drinkin
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Piedmont Greenway Master Plan - Town of Kernersville

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