S E C T I O N F I V ETRAIL DESIGN STANDARDS

SECTION FIVE CONTENTS

This section focuses on trail facility design standards such as typical path construction and layout, wayfinding signing and markings, rail and road crossings, rail-with-trail design standards, on-and off-road bikeways, security and landscape fencing, lighting, bridges and crossings, habitat enhancement, and any operational and management specifics that might be warranted as a result of sensitive biological resources. The design standards are presented in list form and supported with photos, graphic sections, and elevations.

5.1 Regulatory Framework 5-2

5.2 TrailClassifications 5-5

5.3 TrailCrossingsandIntersections 5-11

5.4 TrailAmenitiesandFeatures 5-21

5.5 UniversalTrailDesign 5-35

5.6 CaliforniaCoastalCommissionandConservancyAccessibilityStandards 5-35

5.7 UserConflictReductionStrategies 5-36

5.8 DogsonTrails 5-38

5.9EquestriansonTrails 5-39

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5.1 REGULATORY FRAMEWORKStateandfederalstandardsguideand/ordictatethedesignstandardsfortheMontereyBaySanctuaryScenicTrailNetworkMasterPlan.Additionally,professionalorganizationsprovidespecificdesignandimplementationguidelinesandstandardstoensurethatmulti-usepathsareconstructedtoaconsistentsetofthehighestandbeststandardscurrentlyavailableintheUnitedStates.Planning,design,andimplementationstandardsarederivedfromthefollowingsources:

• Caltrans:HighwayDesignManual(Chapter1000BikewayPlanningandDesign,andothersections)

• AmericanAssociationofStateHighwaysandTransportationOfficials(AASHTO):APolicyonGeometricDesignofHighwaysandStreets

• ManualofUniformTrafficControlDevices

• UnitedStatesDepartmentofTransportation(USDOT),FederalHighwayAdministration(FHWA):SelectingRoadwayDesignTreatmentstoAccommodateBicycles

• Bicycle-FriendlyAdvocacy:SelectingandDesigningBicycleRoutes

• U.S.DepartmentofTransportation/FederalHighwayAdministration:ConflictsonMultiple-UseTrails

• InstituteofTransportationEngineers:DesignandSafetyofPedestrianFacilities

• RegionalTransportationCommission:Rails-with-Trails,SharingCorridorsforTransportationandRecreation

• CaliforniaCoastalTrailAccesswayStandards

• LocalCoastalProgram(s)

• NationalAssociationofCityTransportationOfficials(NACTO)-UrbanBikewayDesignGuide

• CaliforniaDepartmentofParksandRecreationAccessibilityGuidelines(2009)

• IowaPacificRailroadDesignPreferences

ItisusefultonotethatwhilethereareaconsiderablenumberoftrailsonactiverailroadsaroundtheUnitedStates,fewdesignguidelineshavebeendevelopedspecificallyforthistypeoffacilitytodate.Thesourceslistedaboveprovidedetailsonmanyaspectsofarailtrail,but:(a)maycontainrecommendationsthatdisagreewitheachother,(b)arenot,inmostcases,officiallyrecognized“requirements,”and(c)maynotcoveralloftheconditionsonmostrailtrails.ExceptfortheCaltransguidelines,alldesignguidelinesmustbeconsideredassimplydesignresourcesfortheMontereyBaySanctuaryScenicTrailNetworkMasterPlan,tobesupplementedbythereasonablejudgmentsofprofessionals.

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Inadditiontothepublishedresourceslistedabove,theMasterPlanstandardshavebeendrawnfromtheexperiencesofactiverailtrailsaroundCaliforniaandtheUnitedStatestoestablishacceptedpractices.Thereareonlyafewdistinctpatternsaroundthecountryintermsofgradecrossings,fencing,setbacks,andotheritems.However,effortsarecurrentlyunderwaybyplanningandtrafficspecialiststoestablishanofficialreviewingbodyinCaliforniacomposedofCaltrans,thePublicUtilitiesCommission,andotheragenciesandorganizationstoestablishasetofstandardsforrailtrailsinthestate.

Thefollowingtablesummarizesthebreakdownbetweenthosedesignstandardswhicharemandatoryversusthosewhichareadvisoryonly.Thisframeworkformsthebasicfoundationforthetraildesign.

TABLE 5.1 - Mandatory/Advisory Design StandardsMandatory Standards Advisory StandardsTrailWidth SigningandStripingSeparationofPathwaytoRoadway IntersectionsandCrossingsDesignSpeed HorizontalAlignmentClassIBikePath StoppingSightDistanceClassIIBikeLanes LateralClearanceonHorizontalCurvesClass III Bike Routes GradientsBridgeandGrateStandards StructuralSectionSigning,Markings,andTrafficControls DrainageSidewalks Barrier Posts

BikewayandRailroadIntersectionsTrailSetbacksfromRailroadTracks

Multi-UsePaths

APPLICATION OF STANDARDSTheMasterPlanhasbeendesignedinaccordancewiththebasicguidelinessetforthbyCaltrans.WherethereareconditionsthatarenotexplicitlycoveredintheCaltransorAASHTOguidelines,advisorystandardsfromappropriateresourceshavebeenapplied.Inconjunctionwithfutureconstruction,thefinalengineeredplansforsegmentsofthetrailwilldemonstratecompliancewithallapplicablemandatorystandards.Compliancewillbedeterminedbytheappropriatejurisdictioninwhichthetrailislocated.

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CONTINUOUS THEMETheapproximately50-milelengthoftheMBSSTNetworkpresentsadesignchallengeintermsofmaintainingauniformandcohesiveappearance.Sincethetrailnetworkcrossesthroughseveraljurisdictions,certaindesignfeaturesbecomecriticaltomaintainingacontinuousthemeandtrailexperience.Thesekeyunifyingdesignfeaturesarelistedbelowandareillustratedinthissection.

• Trail logo

• Directionalsigns

• Kiosksandinformationresources

• Landscapingfeatures

• Pavementmarkings

• Mile markers

• Interpretativeexhibitdesign

• Trailentrancefeatures

California Coastal Trail logoConceptual wayfinding signage for the Coastal Rail Trail

Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail logo

California State Parks logo

Coastal Walk

CO A S T AL

RAIL TRAIL CORRIDOR COASTAL RAIL TRAIL CORRIDOR

COASTAL R A I L T R A I L C O R R I D O R

West Cliff Coastal Walk

Depot Park Trailhead

West Cliff Coastal Walk

Depot Park Trailhead

Wilder Ranch State Park

Coast Dairies State Beach

Beachfront TrailheadSANTA CRUZ COUNTY REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Informational Vehicular EntryDirectional Trailhead

COASTAL RAIL TRAIL CORRIDORWest Cliff Coastal Walk

1.8 m

1.5 m

.40 m

.25 mmi

mi

mi

mi

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5.2 TRAIL CLASSIFICATIONSThetrailnetworktravelsthroughavariedlandscapeforitsapproximately50-milelength.ThesegmentswithinSantaCruz,Capitola,Aptos,andWatsonvilleareurbaninnature,characterizedbytheadjacencyofresidences,businesses,andagreaternumberofpublicstreetcrossings.Incontrast,thesegmentsnorthofSantaCruzandsouthofAptosaresurroundedbyrurallandsand,forthemostpart,workingagriculturaloperations,stateparks,oropenspace.TherecommendedtrailalignmentinSection4identifiesthetypeoftrailtobeconstructedwithineachsegment.ThesetypesoftrailsincludeClassImulti-usepavedpaths(virtuallyalloftheCoastalRailTrail),ClassII-designatedbikelanes,ClassIIIon-streetbikeroutes,unpavedtrailsurfaces,sidewalks,andboardwalks.

MULTI-USE PAVED PATH (CLASS I)

Amulti-usepavedpathisaderivativeoftheCaltrans-definedClassIbikepath.Unlessotherwisenoted,theterms“trails”and“paths”inthisdocumentareusedsynonymouslytorefertopavedbike/pedestrianmulti-usefacilitiesdefinedbyCaltransasa“ClassIBikeways(BikePaths)”intheCaltransHighwayDesignManual,Chapter1000,BicycleTransportationDesign,Topic1003-BikewayDesignCriteria.AClassIbikepathprovidesbicycletravelonapavedright-of-way,completelyseparatedfromanystreetorhighway.Amulti-usepavedpathpermitsavarietyofusers,inadditiontobicyclists,includingwalkers,joggers,wheelchairusers,andnon-motorizedscooterusers.

Typicaldesignelementsmayinclude:

• Pavedsurfaceofeighttotwelve(8-12’)feetwideorwiderifright-of-wayexistsand/orhighuseisanticipated(concrete,asphalt,orpermeable),andatwo-foot(2’)wideshoulderoneachside

• Centerlanestriping• Separationfromadjacentroadwaysbyatleasttwelve(12)feet• Safetyfenceseparatinginnertrailedgefromrailline(e.g.,

fifty-four-[54-]inchminimumpostandwire)asneeded• Lightingfixtures• Useofnoninvasiveornamentalbarrierplantsasabufferor

tohelpsoftenfencing• Provideclearlyillustratedandproperlylocatedsignagewith

informational,interpretive,andregulatorymessages• CompliancewithADArequirementsintraildesignwhere

possible

• Minimum8’6”setbackfromrailroadcenterline

Multi-use paved path adjacent to railroad tracks

Two-way cycle track, separated from the street via bollards Planters or other decorative elements may be used in place of bollards (Image from NACTO)

Where rights-of-ways and easements allow, additional trail width should be considered in order

to separate users.

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DESIGNATED BICYCLE LANE (CLASS II)DesignatedbicyclelanesaresynonymouswithCaltrans-definedClassIIbikelanes.Oftenreferredtoasa“bikelane,”anon-streetbikelaneprovidesastripedandstenciledlaneforone-waytravelonastreetorhighway.

Typicaldesignelementsinclude:

• Pavedsurfacefourtofive(4-5)feetwide

• Lanestriping

• Streetmarkingsindicatingbikerouteorbikelane

EnhanceddesignelementsInclude:

• Coloredbikelane

• Bikebox

Class II painted bike lane, area in green (Image from NACTO)

Class II bike lane (Image from NACTO)

A bike box, a bright green rectangle painted onto asphalt at intersections, reserved exclusively for bikes is a possible treatment (Image from NACTO)

Designated Class II bike lane

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ON-STREET BIKE ROUTE (CLASS III)On-streetbikeroutesaresynonymouswithCaltrans-definedClassIIIbikeroutes.Generallyreferredtoasa“bikeroute,”anon-streetbikerouteprovidesforsharedusewithmotorvehicletrafficandisidentifiedonlybysigning.OptionalsharedroadwaybicyclemarkingpavementstencilsarealsoavailableforuseonClassIIIbikeroutes.

SHARED LANE MARKINGS (“SHARROWS,” CLASS III)ItisimportanttonotethatbicyclesarepermittedonallroadsinCaliforniaexceptwherespecificallyprohibited.Inordertooptimizevehicleandbicycleuserunderstanding,amarkingreferredtoasa“sharrow”maybeused.SharrowreferstosharedlanepavementmarkingandisconsideredaClassIIIfacility.Thismarkingisplacedinthecenterofatravellanetoindicatethatabicyclistmayusethefulllane.Thesharrowsymbolconsistsofabicyclesymbolwithtwochevronmarkingsabovethebicycle.Thebestpracticeistouseasharrowinconjunctionwitha“BikesMayUseFullLane”sign.

Typicaldesignelementsinclude:

• Sharedlane

• Pavementmarkingsindicatingroute(chevronstencils)

• PolesignageindicatingrouteA sharrow reminds drivers to share the road with bicyclists, while also informing bicyclists to make use of the full lane and position themselves away from vehicle doors

Class III bike route sharrow pavement markings (Image from NACTO)

Class III bike route sharrow in Santa Cruz

On-street bike route with sharrows

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UNPAVED TRAIL SURFACEUnpavedtrailsurfacesarelocatedintheremoteareasofthecorridor,includingthenorthernmostportionoftheNorthernReachandthesouthernmostportionoftheWatsonvilleReach.Unpavedtrailsarefivetosix(5-6)feetwidethroughsteepterrainandsensitiveareas.Tokeepthetrailasmaintenance-freeaspossible,thesetrailsaredesignedtoavoidexceedinggradesgreaterthantwelvepercent(12%)whenpossible.Unpavedtrailsmayrequiresomehand-tooledsegmentswithdrainagecrossingsthatblendwiththesitecharacterandslopeasmuchaspossible.

Unpavedtrailsmayalsobeprovidedadjacenttoapavedsurfacewhereright-of-waypermits.

Unpaved trail surface with trail seating

Unpaved trail on coastal bluff

Improved unpaved trail surface

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SIDEWALKSSidewalksandwalkwaysenhancethewalkabilityofanarea.Sidewalkdesignshouldincorporateanappropriatewalkwaywidth,safetylighting,pleasantwalkingsurfacetexture,benches,andalandscapedseparationofpedestrianandvehiculartraffictocreateapleasurablewalkingexperience.Sidewalkwidthisregulatedbytheimplementingentity.Typically,existingsidewalksvarybetweenfour(4)feetwideandten(10)feetwide,dependingonavailableright-of-wayandadjacentlanduse.Sidewalkssix(6)feetwideorwiderareoptimalsothattwowheelchairusersmaytravelside-by-side.

BOARDWALKSBoardwalksareusedtospanunavoidablewetareas,sensitiveresourceareas,ordepressions.BoardwalksshouldbeconsideredforSegment17wherewetlandandsensitivehabitatareasarelocated.Theyalsocanbeusedtoprovidetrailinareaswheregradingandfillingmightharmtreerootsorcreatetrailsurfacesthatwildlifesuchasamphibianswillnotcross.Footingsvarydependingonsoilconditions.Plasticlumberismoreexpensivethanwoodbutverylong-lastingfordeckboards.Itsheavierweightcanhelpavoidfloatinginsitesthatfloodandthepronouncedtexturecanreduceslipperysurfaces.

Woodsurfacesinshadedormoistsitesmaybecomeslickorevengrowmoss.Thiscanbemanagedbyattachinghalf-(1/2-)inchhardwarecloth(wiremesh),especiallywhereboardwalksfollowcreekgrade,andbeattachedwithone-and-a-half-(11/2-)inchheavy-dutystaplesapproximatelyeighttotwelve(8-12)inchesapart.Theuppersideofthemeshshouldhavewiresperpendiculartothedirectionoftravel.Theendsofhardwareclothshouldbetuckedbetweendeckboardsorlappedoverthesidesandstapledeveryfourtosix(4-6)inches.Paintwithsandtexturemayalsohelp,dependingonsiteconditions.Anannualcleaning(afterautumnleavesfall)isrecommended.Akickrailisparticularlyimportantalongaccessibletrailswhereithelpspeopleusingcanesorwheelchairsstayonthestructure.

Boardwalk without fencing

Boardwalk over wetland area Boardwalk over sensitive habitat area

Boardwalk with bicyclist and fencing

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Bicycle with surfboard attachment at Pleasure Point

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5.3 TRAIL CROSSINGS AND INTERSECTIONS5.3.1 TRESTLE AND BRIDGE CROSSINGS

Trailsegmentscrossingcreeksorotherstreamsanddrainagemayrequireabridgeorlow-watercrossing,buttheseshouldbekepttoaminimumandcarefullydesignedtoavoidhabitatimpacts.Approachestobridgesshouldbelevelandstraight.Bridgewidthsshouldcorrespondtothetrailtreadwidth.Onmulti-usepaths,crossingsshouldbestructurallysuitabletosupportpickuptruckmaintenancevehicles.Bridgesshouldbedesignedtoaccommodatealltrailusergroups.Whenbridgerailingsarerequired,theyshouldmeetcurrentCaltransstandards.Bridgefootingsshouldbeconstructedoutsideofthetopofthestreambank.

Therearetwomaintypesofbridges:trussandbeam.Trussbridgeshaveastructuremostlyabovethedeckandarecapableofspanninggreatdistances.Abeambridgehasalowerprofile,foruseinareaswheretheemphasisisonthebeautyofthelandscape.Thesuperstructureofthebridge(timberorsteelbeams)isunderthedecksurface.Themosteconomicalmeanstoacquiringabridgeisthroughaprefabricatedbridgemanufacturer.Manyprefabricatedbridgescanbecustomizedtofitthearchitecturalpreferencesoftheowneragency.Itshouldbenotedthatpre-engineeredbridgescannotbeinsertedanywhereasthenameimplies;rather,acomplexdesignofabutments,foundationsystems,andapproachworkwillneedtobeengineeredtosupportthebridge.

ThemultitudeofrailbridgeandtrestlecrossingsalongtheCoastalRailTrailalignmentwillcreatethegreatestphysicalandbudgetarychallengestolinkingthetrailfromoneendofthecountytotheother.TherailbridgespandistancesvarythroughoutthelengthoftheMasterPlanarea,withthegreatestnumberofbridgecrossingsandlongestbridgespansoccurringprimarilyintheCentralandWatsonvilleReachesofthecorridor.Therearethreebridgecrossingtreatmentsthatwillbedevelopedincorrelationwiththeprioritizationoftrailfacilityimprovements.Thesequencingoftheplannedrailbridgecrossingswillalsobedependentuponalternatebikefacilitystreetroutesuntilthevariousbridgeprojectsarebudgeted,designed,andconstructedalongwiththetrailsegmentsthatconnectthemtothesystem.EachbridgecrossingwillbeginwithcoordinationanddesigncollaborationwiththeRTCastheowneroftherailright-of-wayandwithinputfromtheoperator.Thefollowingbridgecrossingtreatmenttypesdescribethreepossibledesignconceptsforexistingrailroadbridgeandtrestlecrossings.Section4segmentmapsidentifyeachcrossingandtherecommendedtypeofbridge.

Capitola train trestle

Pajaro River Bridge crossing

Santa Cruz Harbor Bridge

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RAIL BRIDGE REPLACEMENT - TYPE 1 CROSSINGTheType1trailbridgecrossingwillbeintegratedintolong-termrailbridgereplacementefforts.Followingtheengineeringevaluationofeachrailbridgethroughoutthecorridor,anyrailbridgeslatedforreplacementshouldbeconsideredforaredesignthatincludestheadditionofmulti-usepathfacilitiestothebridgedeck.ThisMasterPlanhasnoproposedtrailbridgereplacementtype1crossings.However;onewillbeneededatSoquelCreekoverthelongterm.Theminimumwidthforthemulti-usepathshouldincludeaminimumeight-(8-)-foot-widepavedtrailtreadwithtwo-(2-)foot-wideshouldersoneachside,foratotaloftwelve(12)feet.However,theCaltransminimumrequirementisaten-(10-)foot-widestructure.Thetrailplatformcouldduallyserveasbridgemaintenanceaccess.Planningforadditionalwidthtoaccommodaterailmaintenancevehiclesshouldbeconsideredinthebudgetaryanddesignphases.

Illustration of rail bridge replacement bridge

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RETROFITTED RAIL BRIDGE - TYPE 2 CROSSINGExistingrailbridgesthatareconsideredstructurallysoundandhavebeenevaluatedtopotentiallyaccommodatearetrofittedtrailbridgeattachedtotheexistingsuperstructurewillprovideanalternatesolutionforatrailcrossingwherethereisnoroomforanew,separatetrailbridge.ThisdesignalternativecansometimesbethemostcostlyandshouldbeevaluatedagainstbridgecrossingsTypes1and3forcost,span,scheduling,connectivityefficiency,environmentalimpacts,andclearances.Thepossibilityofretrofittingarailbridgeislimitedtoonelocationforthisproject.ThisoccursattheuppercrossingonHighway1inSegment12.

Illustration of proposed improvements to the westerly Highway 1 bridge crossing in Aptos

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NEW MULTI-USE TRAIL BRIDGE - TYPE 3 CROSSINGItmaynotbefeasibletoretrofitsomerailbridgestructureswithamulti-usetraildeck;orarailbridgereplacementisnotconsideredforcertainrailbridges.Intheselocations,amorecost-effectivesolutionmaybetoinstallanew,separatetrailbridgeparalleltotheexistingrailbridgestructure.Thisscenariowillincludenewabutments,aprefabricatedbridge,andpermittingforthenewcrossing.ThisMasterPlanincludes23separatedmulti-usetrailbridgetype3crossings.

Illustration of new multi-use trail bridge adjacent to existing bridge

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DRAINAGE WAY CHARACTERISTICSThedrainagewaycharacteristicsmaydictatethestructuraldesignofthebridge.Whencrossingachannelsubjecttoflooding,thebridgeshallbedesignedtobeabovethe100-yearfloodlevel.Whencrossingchannelsnotsubjecttoflooding,itmaystillbedesirabletodeterminewhetherthebridge’ssuperstructureshouldbeaboveorbelowthedeckbasedonclearanceunderneath.

BRIDGE LENGTHWoodbridgesthatclearspansofoverfifty(50)feetaregenerallydifficultwithoutspeciallyfabricatedstructuralmembersormid-spanpiers.Steelbeambridgescanspangreaterdistances,butthebeamdepthwillincreaseinproportiontothespan.Steeltrussbridgescanspanuptotwohundred(200)feetwithoutadditionalpiers.

BRIDGE PLACEMENTBridgesshallbealignedalongthepathtoavoidperpendicularorsharpturnsatthebridgeapproachandmaximizesightdistance.Ifthebridgeisatthebottomofagradeexceedingfourpercent(4%),ashort,flattransitionareaisneededtomeetthebridgedeckgrade.

LIVE LOADBridgeswhichwillallowforsmallvehiclesandmachineryformaintenanceandemergencypurposesshouldbedesignedtocarryaminimumeight-(8-)tonliveload.

BRIDGE AESTHETICSTheproposedbridgematerialsshouldreinforcethethemeofthelocalarea,andmayincludesteelandwoodwithstonemasonryabutments.

RAIL TRACK REALIGNMENT/RELOCATIONRealignment/relocationofrailtracksisnecessarytocompletethepreferredalignmentofSegment10(LiveOak-JadeStreetPark).Therailoperator(IowaPacific,doingbusinessasSantaCruzandMontereyBayRailway)isawareoftherecommendedrelocationoftherailtracksandsuppliedafigureofapproximately$1,000,000

Multi-use path bridge in San Clemente, CA

Multi-use path bridge in Whittier, CA

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permileforsucharealignment.

5.3.2 ROADWAY CROSSINGS

Trailsshouldcrosspublicstreetsatintersectionsinthesameplaceacrosswalkwouldnormallybeplaced.Ifthereisnointersectionwithintwohundred(200)feetoftheproposedtrailcrossing,anat-gradetrailcrossing,includingmedianbreak,maybeconsidered.Implementingentityand/orPublicWorksdepartmentswillmakethedeterminationastowhetheratrailcrossingataroadwaycanbesafelyachieved.Trafficvolumes,timesofday,travelspeed,sightlinestoandattheintersection,andproblemsuniquetothecrossingorintersectionswillbeusedinmakingthedetermination.Inaddition,thePublicUtilitiesCommission(PUC)hasidentified101crossingsalongthecorridor.Thesecrossingsareheavilyrestricted/regulatedandrequireadditionalpermitsandscrutinyifmodified.

Ifanintersectionwithpedestriancrossingexistswithintwohundred(200)feetofwhereatrailisproposed,pavement,barriers,andlandscapefeatureswithappropriatesignagewillbeinstalledtoguidetrailuserstotheintersection.Injurisdictionswhereridingonthesidewalkisprohibitedbyordinance,anadditionalbicycle-crossingfacilityshouldbeidentifiedandstenciled(seetoprightimage).

Atotalofeleven(11)typesoftreatmentsweredevelopedandconsideredforthecrossinglocationsalongtheCoastalRailTrailcorridor.Theseimprovementswillbeinstalledatrailroadcrossingsandstreetintersectionsormid-blockcrossingsinthevicinityofeachcrossing.RecommendedcrossingtreatmentsareprovidedinAppendixF.Insomelocations,acustomtreatmentwillbenecessaryandmayincludeunusualcombinationsofthestandardtreatments,oranaltogetheruniquetreatment.AppendixFincludesillustrationsofcustomcrossingtreatments.Thetreatmenttypesarelistedinahierarchyofthelevelofcontrolandarefollowedbythenumberofoccurrenceinstancesinparenthesis:

TypeA: Railroadsignalequipment-newsignalormodificationofexisting(13)

TypeB: Trafficsignalmodification(1)

TypeC: Hawktrafficsignal/pedestrianhybridbeacon(2)

TypeD: Activeenhancedmid-block-Pedestrian-activatedwarningsystem(4)

TypeE: Passiveenhancedmid-block-Additionstothestandardmid-blocktreatment(9)

TypeF: Standardmid-block-Signsandmarkings(6)

TypeG: Traffic-calmingmeasures-Raisedmedians,curbextensions,orbulb-outs(3)

TypeH: Connectionfacilities-Pedestrianwalkways,intersectioncrosswalks,and/orbicycle markings(12)

TypeI: Railcrossingwithoutrailroadsignalequipment(verylowcrossingvolumes)(2)

TypeJ: Standardprivatecrossing-Typicalcontrolsincludeacombinationstopsign/ privatecrossing/notrespassingsign(36)

Bike and pedestrian mid-block crossing.

Source: Nick Jackson, Toole Design Group

Right-of-way priority at all roadway crossings

shall be determined by the RTC and/or implementing entity, in consultation with private property owners

(where appropriate), during the design of individual trail segments. Where feasible,

right-of-way preference shall be given to the facility

with the higher volume of traffic. Right-of-way

shall be indicated with an appropriate stop sign or yield sign that applies to the roadway or multi-use

facility cross-traffic.

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TypeK: Noadditionalimprovementsorchanges(9)

Figures5.1through5.3 detailroadwaycrossingconceptsthatillustratehowthetrailwillinteractwithexistingstreetsandwiththerailtracks.

Figure 5-1 Detailed roadway crossing concepts: Types A, B, C, and D

Rapidflashingbeacon(whereappropriate)

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Figure 5-2 Detailed roadway crossing concepts: Types E, F, G, and H

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Figure 5-3 Detailed roadway crossing concepts: Types I and J

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Natural Bridges State Beach

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5.4 TRAIL AMENITIES AND FEATURESInadditiontouserfacilitiesatreststopsandstagingareas,trailamenitiesintheformofbenches,shadestructures,informationalsigns,andtrashcontainerswillbelocatedalongtheMBSSTNetworkinstrategiclocations.Thedesignoftheseelementsisintendedtoreflectanoceantheme.Theuseofwood,stone,wirefences,selfweathering(rusted)steel,andotherrusticmaterialswillreinforcethisimage.

5.4.1 TRAIL FENCING

FencingalongtheMBSSTNetworkwillvarydependingonthelocationandagreementsbetweenadjacentlandownersandtheRTC.TheuseoffencingalongtheCoastalRailTrailcorridorshouldbeusedconservativelytomaintaintheopenfeelandviewsofthecoastalenvironmentaswellastomaintainneighborhoodconnectivity.Whereright-of-waypermits,alandscapedbuffershouldbeprovidedinsteadoffencing.Fencescanbecostlyifinstalledunnecessarilyandthelong-termmaintenanceaddstolong-termbudgetimpacts.Thefencedesignsproposedforthetrailcorridorarestandardsthatcanbeappliedtoseveralscenarios.Fencingwilltypicallybeusedforthefollowingreasons:safety,security,trespassprevention,environmentalimpacts,andprivacy.Thefollowingnarrativedescribesthetypesoffencingappropriateforvariouslocationsandneeds.NotanyonetypeispresumedforusethroughouttheMBSSTNetwork.Effortswillbemadetopreserveandencourageneighborhoodconnectivity.

FenceswillbeusedwhenrequiredbyeitherRTCortheadjacentlandowner.Whenafenceisrequired,itwillbelocatedattheright-of-wayedgeoraminimumoftwo(2)feetfromtheoutermostedgeofthetrailsurface.Thespecificlocationofthetrailfencewillbedeterminedatthetimeofthepreliminarydesignandfinalizedintheconstructiondocumentsforeachimplementationphaseoftheproject.Whereauthorizedprivatefarmcrossingsexistorareplanned,theimplementingentity,withRTCapproval,andtheadjacentlandownerwillmutuallydeterminethemostappropriatemethodofasecuredgatedtreatmentoropenfencesegmentsforfarmvehicularaccessand/orpublicaccesstopubliclands,shouldtheybedeemednecessary.

WIRE SECURITY FENCEWheretheupmostsecurityisnecessary,aseventy-two-(72-)inch-highwoven-wirefencewithmetalposts(refertoFigure5-4)isrecommended.Thisfencetypeprovidesahighleveloftrespasspreventionandsecurity.Thisfencealsoprovidesanopportunityforscreeningwithvineplantingstosoftenthelookofthefenceandcouldprovideadditionalprotectionfromtrainblowndustanddebris.

• Urbanandindustrialareas

• Railtrackandtrailseparator(wherehighnumberofillegalcrossingsareexpected)

• Safetyandsecurityneed

• Agriculturallandboundaries

Existing trail fencing and bollards near the Sanctuary Exploration Center

Figure 5-4 Wire security fence

6’

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SMOOTH WIRE FENCESmoothwirefencingisfifty-four(54)incheshigh,includesten(10)wirestrands,andhasaconcreteormetalpost(refertoFigure5-5).Thisfencetypereducestrespassingandprovidesopenvisibilityofthesurroundinglandscape.

• Ruralandurbanareas

• Agriculturallandboundaries

• Railtrackandtrailseparator(wheretrailiswithinfifteen[15]feetofrailtracks)

• Scenicareasandopenspace

• Environmentallysensitivesites

CONCRETE SPLIT-RAIL FENCEConcretesplit-railfencingisforty-eight(48)incheshighandincludesthree(3)concreterails(refertoFigure5-6).Concretemaybestamped/formedandpaintedtolooklikewood.Thisfencetypeprovidesalowleveloftrespassprevention,someopenvisibility,boundarydelineation,andemulatesaparklandcharacter.

• Urbanareasandruralresidential

• Openspaceandparklands

Inurbanareas,afencemaybeusedtoseparatethetrailfromadjacentproperty.ThedesignanduseofthisfenceissubjecttothediscretionofeachimplementingentityasapprovedbyRTC.Thestyleofthefenceinurbanareasshallreflectthedesigncharacterestablishedbylocaldesignplans.Fencingtypesmayincludewood,woodsubstitute,stoneandwroughtiron,wroughtironorothersuitablematerialsexcludingchainlinkmaterials.

PRIVACY FENCEAseventy-two-(72-)inch-highconcreteprivacyfencewithmetalposts(refertoFigure5-7)shouldbeprovidedwhereenhancedprivacyisnecessary.Thisfencetypeprovidessomeleveloftrespassprevention,security,andprivacyforadjacentlandowners.Thisfencealsoprovidesanopportunityforscreeningwithvineplantings.Theconcretecomponentsincreasethelifeofthefenceandreducethelong-termmaintenancecost.

• Urbanandindustrialareas• Residentialareas

• Safetyandsecurityneed

Otherbarriertypesbetweenthetrailandprivatepropertymaybeusedsuchasditches,berms,and/orvegetation.Recommendedvegetationtypesshouldbelow-water,low-maintenancevarieties.Ditchorbermgradientsshouldnotexceedtwotoone(2:1)slopesorbegreaterthanten(10)feetindepthorheight. Figure 5-7 Privacy fence

Figure 5-6 Concrete split-rail fence (between trail and rural residential parks, and open space)

48”

6’

Figure 5-5 Smooth wire fence (between rail and trail or between trail and agricultural land)

54”

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5.4.2 TRAIL FURNISHINGS

BENCHES AND SEATING AREASBenchesforthetrailsystemshouldbedurableandcapableofwithstandingboththeharshcoastalenvironmentandtheremotestretchesoftrailsegmentsoutsideoftheurbanareas.Thebenchesshouldbesecuredtotheirlocationstoavoidtheftandorvandalism.Sincethetrailwillbepassingthroughmultiplecommunitiesandgoverningagencies,eachwithitsowncharacterandsetting,thebenchstylefortheCoastalRailTrailshouldbeconsistent,ratherthantryingtoconformtothebenchstandardsofeachlocaljurisdiction.Benchesshouldbeplacedataminimumeveryquarter(1/4)tohalf(1/2)miletoprovideconvenientandattractiverestingplacesalongeachsegment.Areaswherethenewtrailconnectswithexistingbeachtrailheads,reststops,interpretiveoverlooks,orotherexistingparkfacilitiesmaynotneednewbenches.Newtrailrestareasandtrailheadsshouldfirstbeevaluatedforconformancewithexistingadjacentparkfurnishingsbeforeaddingnewbenches.Existingadjacentparkfurnishingsshouldoverridetheimplementationofnewfacilitiesiftheyarealreadypresentandingoodcondition.Eachbenchplacementshouldbeanalyzedtoavoidredundancyorclutter.Otheralternativestofabricatedbenchescouldincludetheuseoflargebouldersforseatinginmoreruralornaturalsettings.Benchesshouldbeclusteredwithtrashreceptaclesandotherkeyfurnishingelements.

TRASH AND RECYCLING RECEPTACLESTrashreceptaclesshouldbeplacedinareaswheretherearebenchesandatallmajortrailheadlocations.Thetrashreceptacleunitshouldincludeone(1)trashcontainerandone(1)recyclingcontainer.Thecontainersshallincludeanimal-prooflids,andthedesign,color,andstyleshallstayconsistentalongthetrailsegmentsoutsideoftheexistingagency’sparkandtrailsegments.

BIKE RACKSBikeracksshouldbelocatedatrestareas,existingandproposedtrailheads,neartransitstops,picnicsites,parksites,andcommercialareasadjacenttothetrail.Bikeracksshouldbeprovidedinconjunctionwithcommercial,office,andmulti-familyresidentialdevelopmentsadjacenttothetrailcorridor,bothexistingandproposed.

PICNIC AND SHADE SHELTERSSheltersshouldbeplacedalongthetrailcorridorwhereexistingparkfacilitiesarefartherthanaquarter(1/4)mileindistance.Theyshouldbeconvenientlylocatedattrailheadparkingareas,restareas,scenicoverlooks,andremoteorexposedsegmentsalongthetrailcorridor.Becausethetrailpassesthroughmultiplecommunityandparkagencyboundaries,theshelterlocationsshouldbecarefullyselectedtoworkwithexistingparkandtrailfacilitiesandavoidredundancy.Picnicandshadeshelterdesignandstyleshouldbeconsistentalongthetrailcorridor.Shelterdesignexceptionsmayoccurwhenaproposedshelterlocationisadjacenttoorwithinanagencyjurisdictionthathasanexistingshelterinthatsiteorwithinviewofthetrailcorridor’schosenlocation.

Concept of concrete bench with MBSST logo

Existing concrete bench near the terminus of East Cliff Drive

Concrete trash can

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BOLLARDSThepurposeofbollardsistokeepunauthorizedmotoristsoffthepath.Considerationshouldbegiventowhethermotorvehicleentryislikely,andthusbollardswillenhancesafety,orifitisunlikelyandthusbollardswillpresentahazardtotrailusers.Ifused,bollardsshouldberemovableforemergencyandmaintenanceaccess,lightincolorandreflectorizedforvisibility,litwithsolar-poweredLEDlights(wherefeasible),andbetweenthirty-sixandforty-six(36-46)inchestall.Bollardsshouldbepositionedatleastfive(5)feetapartsoasnottorestrictwidthforwheelchairandothertrailusers,andshouldincludediversionstripingonthepavement.

5.4.3 UTILITIES AND LIGHTINGSurfaceandsubsurfaceutilitiesarelocatedwithintherailroadright-of-wayandmayimpactthelocationandconstructionoftheCoastalRailTrail.Subsurfaceutilitiesandinfrastructuremustbeidentifiedduringpre-constructionactivities.Utilitiesincludeactiveandabandonedrailroadcommunicationscable,signal,andcommunicationboxes,fiberopticcable,waterandsewerlines,andtelephonelines.TheCoastalRailTrailwillbedesignedtoavoidhavingtomovemostactivesurfaceutilities,althoughutilitypolesnolongerinusemayberemoved.Installationofundergroundutilityinfrastructuretomeetexistingandpotentialfutureutilityrequirementswillbeconsideredtominimizetheneedtodigupandpatchanyconstructedtrailsegments.Thetrailmaybelocateddirectlyoverexistingsubsurfaceutilitiesassuming:(a)adequatedepthexistsbetweenthetrailsurfaceandutilitytopreventdamage,and(b)agreementscanbereachedwiththeutilityownerregardingaccessforrepairsandpotentialimpacttothetrail.Theuseofsolarpoweredpanelswillbeencouragedtominimizetheneedforsurfaceandsubsurfaceutilitycables.

Portionsofthetrailmaybelighted,especiallywherethereisconsiderableeveningpedestrianandbicyclecommutertraffic.Therewillbesomelightingbenefitfromexistinglightsourcesalongadjacentroadwaysandatcrossings.Darksky-compliantlightingshouldbeusedtoilluminatethetrail.Darkskylightingmustprojectlightdownwardwithoutreleasinglightingupwardsintotheatmosphereoroutwardpasttheintendedprojectedpath.

Typical bike rack found throughout Santa Cruz County

Metal bollard along multi-use path

Trail lighting that is dark sky-compliant due to downward-facing light with shield

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5.4.4 TRAIL ACCESS/STAGING AREAS

Twenty-two(22)trailaccessandstagingareasexistincloseproximitytothetrailalignment,forexampleatDepotParkandattheWilderRanchStateParkVisitorCenter.Featuresincludeparkingforvehiclesandbicycles,drinkingwater,trashreceptacles,kioskswithtravelerinformation,andotheramenities.Asfutureusageincreases,additionalstagingareasmaybewarranted.Aconceptforfuturetrailaccess/stagingareasisidentifiedonFigure5-8.AllnewstagingareasandretrofitsshallbecompliantwithADAstandards(handicappedaccessibility).RefertoFigure5-8fortypicalfeatures.

PURPOSE AND CHARACTER

• Placetoparkvehiclesandunloadbikes

• Accessfromurbanareastotrail

• Widerangeofservicesforrecreationalusers

• Tiedtosharedpublicused(e.g.,traindepots,parks,museums,civicuses,etc)

Seascape Park

Seascape Resort

Pacific Ocean

Public Parking

Potential Trail Staging Area

Railroad Tracks

Sumner Avenue

Via Medici

Via Soderini

Seascape Park in Aptos has the potential to incorporate additional staging area amenities

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TABLE 5.2 - Existing/Planned Trailhead/Staging Area AmenitiesPavedParking

Lot

AccessibleParking

Street Parking Shelter

Overlookwith

Benches

TrashCans

Bike Racks

AccessibleRestroom

DrinkingWater Benches Picnic

Area Other/Notes

WaddellBeach X X X

GreyhoundRockBeach X X X XScottCreekBeach X X X XDavenportBeachLanding X X X X XDavenport Unpavedparkinglot

CapitolaVillage X X X X X X X X X X

CoastDairies,BonnyDoonBeach X XCoastDairies,YellowbankBeach UnpavedparkinglotWilderRanchStatePark,4MileBeach UnpavedparkinglotWilderRanchStatePark,OldCoveLanding

X X X X X X Trailerparking

NaturalBridgesStateBeach X XNearyLagoonPark-PLANNED ExistingboardwalkDepotPark X X X X X X X X OtheramenitiesMainBeach X X X X X X X OtherparkamenitiesSantaCruzHarbor X X X X X X X OtherparkamenitiesSimpkinsSwimCenter X X X X X X X X OtheramenitiesJadeStreetParkat47thSt. X X X X X X OtherparkamenitiesNewBrightonStateBeach X X X X X X X X OtheramenitiesAptosVillage X X XHiddenBeach X X X X LawnareaSeascapePark X X X X X X X X Lawnarea,trails

ManresaStateBeach X X X X X X X X

WatsonvilleSloughTrails X X X Lawnarea,trailsWalkerSt.,Watsonville X

Shade Trees

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DESIGN ELEMENTS

• Pavedparking(permeableoraggregatebaseinsensitiveareastofilterrunoff)

• Informationkioskwithatraildirectorymap/trailinformation

• Picnictables,benches

• 911callboxes(ruralareas)

• Drinkingfountains

• Trashandrecyclingcans

• Safetylighting

• Bikeracks

• Shadeandshelter

• Potentialforcommercialvendingandservice(food,bikesupport,equipment)

• Interpretivesigns

• Foodkiosk

• Bikeshop/stationrental

• Chargingstationsfore-bikes

• Securitycameras

Figure 5-8 Trail access/staging area design elements

Bike Racks

Information Kiosk

Drinking Fountain

Public Bathroom

Public Parking

Shade Trees

Railroad Tracks

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REST AREASFacilitiesforcomfort(benches,trashreceptacles,shade,andwater),safety(phonesandkioskswithtravelerinformation),andinterpretativeinformation(historical,cultural,andeducationalinformation)shouldbedevelopedalongthetrail.Restareasshouldbelocatedatplacesofinterestandatregularintervals(approximatelytwotothree[2-3]milesapart).

DESIGN ELEMENTS:• Trashcans

• Emergencyphone

• Drinkingwater

• Shadeelement

• Directionalsignage/trailinformation

• Bencheswithbackrestsandarmrests

• Gradesthatdonotexceedfivepercent(5%)

Wilder Ranch parking lot, trail access, and staging area

Figure 5-9 Typical rest area design when located adjacent to the railroad corridor

Wilder Ranch restrooms

Depot Park parking lot, trail access, and staging area

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5.4.5 UNIFORM TRAIL SIGNING AND MARKING

Uniformsigndesignandlogothemewillbeprovidedalongthetrail.Signingandmarkingwillunifythetraildesignandprovidefunctionalinformation.Elementssuchasbollardstopreventunauthorizedtrailaccess,milepostmarkerstoidentifyspecificlocationsalongthetrail,directionalsignstovariousplacesofinterestanduserservices,informationalandtrafficcontrolsignsandatraillogowillallprovidenecessaryinformationandhelptounifythedesign.

SignsalongthetrailshouldbedesignedtomeetalloftherequiredandrecommendedsigningandmarkingstandardsdevelopedbyCaltransinChapter1000oftheHighwayDesignManual.Inaddition,allsignsandmarkingsshouldconformtothestandardsdevelopedintheManualofUniformTrafficControlDevices(MUTCD).

Ingeneral,allsignsshouldbelocatedatleastthreetofour(3-4)feetfromtheedgeofthepavedsurface,haveaminimumverticalclearanceofeight-and-a-half(8.5)feetwhenlocatedabovethetrailsurface,andbeaminimumoffour(4)feetabovethetrailsurfacewhenlocatedonthesideofthetrail.Allsignsshouldbeorientedsoasnottoconfusemotorists.Thedesigns(thoughnotthesize)ofsignsandmarkingsshouldbethesameasusedformotorvehiclesaspertheMUTCD.

Directionalsigningmaybeusefulfortrailusersandmotoristsalike.Formotorists,asignreading“CoastalRailTrailXing”alongwithatrailemblemorlogohelpsbothwarnandpromoteuseofthetrailitself.Fortrailusers,directionalsignsandstreetnamesatcrossingshelpdirectpeopletotheirdestinations.TheRTCwillworktoensuretrailconnectivitytootherbikeandpedestrianfacilitiesthroughway-findinganddirectionalsigns.Refertopage5-32fortrailmarkingandsignexamples.

Bike stop sign

Bike route signage on West Cliff Drive

Signage at Wilder Ranch

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5.4.6 COASTAL RAIL TRAIL SIGNAGE

AcustomizedwayfindingsignageprogramfortheCoastalRailTrailshouldbefurtherdevelopedtoorientusers,provideeducationalopportunities,andtounifythetrailcorridor.ThedesignshouldmirrortheMBSSTsignprogramintermsofheight,scale,andfonttype.However,thesignsshoulddifferfromtheMBSSTintermsofcolorsandmaterialsused.AlltrailsignageshouldbeidentifiedwiththeMBSSTlogo.Conceptualillustrationsofcompatiblesignagetypesareprovidedbelow.

Inaddition,aCoastalRailTraillogoshouldbecreatedtoenhancetheidentityoftherailtrail.ThelogomaybeavariationoftheMBSSTlogobykeepingthesameorientation,font,anduseofblack.Thecolorsandcentraldesignshouldbemodifiedinordertoreflectarailtrailtheme.

HISTORIC AND EDUCATIONAL THEMESTheMBSSTNetworkoffersauniqueopportunitytophysicallyconnectthecommunitiesinSantaCruzCountytooneanotherandcreatetiestoitscultureandhistory.InadditiontotheexhibitlocationsidentifiedbythepreviouslypreparedMBSSTStandardsManual,additionalhistoricandeducationalexhibits(interpretiveexhibits)willbeplacedalongthetrailatstrategiclocationsofferingavarietyofinformation.Forexample,informationconcerningthehistoryofrailroads,lumber,beaches,andfarmingintheareacanbeportrayed.Educationalexhibitsdescribingtheenvironmentandnaturalresourcesshouldbedevelopedtoeducatevisitorsandresidentsaboutcurrentissuesandstewardship.Allofthesetopicswillbepresentedinacohesivedesigntohelpreinforcethecontinuityoftraildesign.Coastal Walk

CO A S T AL

RAIL TRAIL CORRIDOR COASTAL RAIL TRAIL CORRIDOR

COASTAL R A I L T R A I L C O R R I D O R

West Cliff Coastal Walk

Depot Park Trailhead

West Cliff Coastal Walk

Depot Park Trailhead

Wilder Ranch State Park

Coast Dairies State Beach

Beachfront TrailheadSANTA CRUZ COUNTY REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Informational Vehicular EntryDirectional Trailhead

COASTAL RAIL TRAIL CORRIDORWest Cliff Coastal Walk

1.8 m

1.5 m

.40 m

.25 m

Figure 5-10 Conceptual signage for Coastal Rail Trail

Santa Cruz Public Libraries

Seacliff Beach State Park with the cement ship, the Palo Alto, in the background (1930)

Interpretive Design Themes

•MontereyBayNationalMarineSanctuary

•Locationspecificfloraandfauna

•Coastal-dependentindustrialhistory

•NativeAmericanpresenceandculture

•Watershedandunderwatergeography

•Climateandhabitat

•RailroadHistory

•Rivers,Estuaries,Beaches

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SANCTUARY SCENIC TRAIL SIGNAGETheRTCandtheSantaCruzCountyInteragencyTaskForcesecuredfundingfromaFederalTransportationEnhancementGranttodevelopconceptualdesignsforatraillogo,awayfindingsystemtoorienttrailusers,andaninterpretationsystemtoshowcasedistincthabitatareas,andillustratethemesandstoriesconsistentwiththeconservationandeducationgoalsoftheMontereyBayNationalMarineSanctuary.Throughthisprocess,aseriesofwell-designedwayfindingandinterpretiveexhibitsweredesignedtobedistributedalongtheoriginal11-milealignmentoftheMontereyBaySanctuaryScenicTrail.Therearefive(5)typesofsignsandexhibits:trailmarkers,directionalsigns,orientationsigns,minorinterpretiveexhibits,andmajorinterpretiveexhibits.Ahandfulofthesesignshavealreadybeeninstalled.

Thenow-expandedMBSSTNetworkincorporatestheCoastalRailTrailintotheearliermulti-year,multi-agencyefforttocreatetheoriginalalignmentoftheMBSSTthroughtheSanctuaryScenicTrailStandardsManualandDraftLongRangeInterpretivePlan.ThoughthedocumentsarenotpartoftheMBSSTNetworkMasterPlan,opportunitiesexisttohighlighttheoriginalSanctuaryScenicTrailalignmentandthedocuments’visionsofprovidingopportunitiesforcoastalaccessandappreciationoftheMontereyBayNationalMarineSanctuarythroughaseriesofcoordinatedwayfindingsignsandinterpretiveexhibits.Aseriesofscenicloopsorspursonexistingandproposedfacilities,identifiedthroughdirectionalsignage,couldbedevelopedtoguidetrailusersateachkeyjunctureoftheoriginalSanctuaryScenicTrailalignmentandtheCoastalRailTrail.

Thefollowingloopsandspurhavebeenidentifiedforconsiderationoncetheproposedsegmentsareimplemented:

• AWestCliffScenicLoopthatjoinstheCoastalRailTrailatNaturalBridgesDr.andatPacificAve.• APleasurePointScenicLoopthatjoinstheCoastalRailTrailatLakeAve.andatOpalCliffDr.• ASeacliffScenicSpurthatjoinstheCoastalRailTrailatStateParkDr.andcontinuesonStateParkDr.

andalongSeacliffStateBeach,acrossthebike/pedestrianbridgeoverAptosCreek,andalongBeachDr.uptothelockedgate.

Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail interpretive signage installation at Lighthouse Point Park

Figure 5-11 Directional and interpretive signage (Identified by the Sanctuary Scenic Trail Standards Manual - June 2005), Graphics by LSA

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COUNTYWIDE BICYCLE ROUTE SIGNAGEInanefforttofurtherincreasebicycleridershipandprovideaviabletransportationalternative,theRTCisdevelopingaCountywideBicycleRouteSignageProgram.Wayfindingsignageforthecurrenton-streetnetworkisthoughttoincreasethenumberofbicyclistsontheroad,aswellasimprovebicyclists’visibilityandsafety.Theexactsigntypehasnotbeenagreeduponyet,butthemock-upsproposed(seeimagebelow)willfitinwithexistingsignage,willbeeasilyintegratedintotheproposedsigntypes,andwllbeincompliancewiththeMUTCD.

MULTIPLE TRAIL DESIGNATIONSIncertaininstances,theCoastalRailTrailwillincludeadditionaltrailnetworkalignmentssuchastheCaliforniaCoastalTrailand/orthePacificCoastBikeRoute.Whenthisisthecase,theapplicationoftheproperlogo(s)shouldbeappliedtotrailsignagetoinformtheuserofthemultiple-routestatus.Aconceptofapostwithtraillogosisillustratedbelow.

Typical Pacific Coast Bike Route signPost sign with multiple trail designations

Possible countywide bicycle route signage Existing trail signage on East Cliff Drive

California Coastal Trail logo

California State Parks logo

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5.4.7 LANDSCAPE DESIGN

ThelandscapingtreatmentalongtheMBSSTNetworkwillvaryalongthecorridorasittraversesfromoneregiontoanother.Thelandscapetreatmentwillbelimitedbyavailabilityofspaceinthetrailcorridor,narrowrights-of-way,railwayoperationalclearance,agriculturaloperations,sensitivecoastalbluffs,maintenanceagreements,andothermitigatingfactors.

CurrentlythereareexistingsegmentsoftheMBSSTNetworkcorridorthatfollowhighlyurbanizedareaswithlandscapetreatmentsexistingalongstreetcorridors,parks,adjacentopenspace,harboredges,andbeachfrontareas.ThelandscapefornewsegmentsoftheMBSSTNetworkwillvarywiththesettingandwiththeagencyresponsibleforthedesign,implementation,andlong-termmaintenance.Thelandscapetreatmentwillalsovarybysetting.Theproposedtrailcorridorliesalongoneofthemostbeautifulcoastlinesintheworld,traversingmanydifferentenvironmentsrangingfromintenselypopularurbanareastoruralandnativecoastaledges.LandscapetreatmentinintenselyurbanizedareascanincludebothCalifornianativeandnon-nativedrought-tolerantplantpalettes.Theseurbanareasofferabroaderrangeofchoicesforplantspeciestobeusedinthelandscape.However,inareaswherethetrailislocatedinand/oradjacenttonativelandscapesettings,orruralandagriculturallands,everyeffortshouldbetakentomaintainCalifornianativeandindigenousplantspeciesintheplantingandrestorationefforts.Plantpaletteswillbedeterminedaspartofthedesignphaseforeachsegmentincoordinationwiththeimplementingentity.Plantingplanswillalsocomplywithenvironmentalstudiesandrecommendationsconcerningsensitiveorcriticalnativeplanthabitats.Otherprecautionsshouldconsistofthestrictavoidanceofinvasivespecies.

Drought-tolerant grasses used in median treatment

A combination of flowering shrubs and groundcover should be used at key areas

Drought-tolerant succulents thrive in Santa Cruz County

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5.4.8 DRAINAGE AND EROSION CONTROL

DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS DURING TRAIL CONSTRUCTIONDrainageimprovementstoaccommodatethetrailsectionwillbemadeinconjunctionwithtrailconstruction.Traildesignwillbeengineeredsoasnottoincreaseanyhistoricrunoffontoaproperty.Drainageengineeringwillbecoordinatedwithanyadjacentandregionaleffortsthatmaybeunderwayatthetimetoresolvehistoricalproblemstothegreatestdegreefeasible.Acombinationofculverts,channelization,andimprovedbridgecrossingswilloccurinconjunctionwithtrailconstruction.Trailengineeringwillfocusonmethodstominimizeriverdepositsthatmaycausemaintenanceissues.Constructionmaterialsthatmaintainhistoricrunofflevelsandmeetwaterqualitystandardswillbeused.

CULVERTSCulvertscanbeusedinseasonaldrainagewaysorseepsalonggulliesandswales.Culvertsshouldbesizedtohandlethehighflowduringseasonalrains.Theculvertsmayconsistofplasticormetalcorrugatedpipe.Trailapproachesshouldbedesignedatastraight90-degreeangle.Culvertcrossingwidthshouldmatchthetrailapproachwidthonbothsides.Culvertfacesshouldbeconcealedwithnativestoneandchannelsdownstreamofculvertswithlargerocks.

SEA LEVEL RISE AND CLIMATE ADAPTATIONGenerally,theCaliforniaCoastalCommission(CCC)requiresnewdevelopmenttobesetbackfrombluffedgessothatdevelopmentwillbesafefrombluffretreatforatleast100years.However,theCCCdoesmakeexceptionstothesetbackrequirementsforrecreational/trailprojects.The100-yearseariseprojectionisunlikelytoimpacton-streettrails.However,naturalsurfacetrailsalongcoastalbluffsmaybeimpactedanddevelopmentofnewtrailsshouldconsidersealevelriseimpacts.

Measurestoassurethelong-rangeviabilityoftheMBSSTNetworkwillbedevelopedasneededwhensegmentsmoveforward.Thepotentialforshorelineretreatand/orsealevelriseshouldbeaconsiderationinthedesignofeachsegment.Whereprojectsorplacementofshorelineprotectiveworkswillimpairthecontinuityoftheshorelinepublicaccessroute,analternativemeasureforprovidingsuchaccesswillbeconsidered.Onesuchexampleisabluff-topbypassroutes.

Sand dune encroaching onto railroad tracks

Exposed drainage infrastructure

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5.5 UNIVERSAL TRAIL DESIGN“Accessibility”or“universalaccess”shallbeconsideredabestpracticeinthedecision-makingprocesses,includingplanning,design,construction,andmanagementoftheMBSSTNetwork.Universalaccessincludesdesignstrategiesthatprovidetrailaccesstothosewithandwithoutdisabilitiesincludingfamilies,seniors,andpeoplewithmobilityimpairments.Ataminimum,currentstateandfederalregulationsconcerningtheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA)shallbeappliedtoprovideaccesstoawiderangeofusercapabilitiesasrequiredbylaw.

WhiletraildesignersshallrefertothefederallymandatedADAguidelines,thefollowingfive(5)designcharacteristicsaretypicalofthetypesofchallengestoprovidingauniversallyaccessibletrail.

• Trailgrade

• Crossslope

• Width

• Surfacetype

• Obstacles

5.6 CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION AND CONSERVANCY ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDSTheCaliforniaCoastalCommissionandConservancyStandardsandRecommendationsforAccesswayLocationandDevelopmentAccessibilityStandardsprovideguidelinesforthelocation,size,andtypeofaccesswaysalongtheCaliforniacoast.TheStandardswereadoptedtoensurethataconsistentapproachisusedforaccessconstruction.Sincesitesandcircumstancesvaryalongthecoast,theapplicationofthesestandardsisflexible.TheyapplytoallnewandexistingdevelopmentsandshallbeconsideredduringtheMBSSTNetworkimplementationandconstructionprocess.AppendixGprovidesthefullCaliforniaCoastalCommissionandConservancyStandardsandRecommendationsforAccesswayLocationandDevelopmentAccessibilityStandards.

Pedestrians and bicyclists sharing the trail

Example of a “universal access” trail (Bonnie Lewkowicz)

Bridges should be wide enough to allow for pedestrians and bicyclists to pass with ease

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5.7 USER CONFLICT REDUCTION STRATEGIESInessence,userconflictsarearesultofsuccess:theyareindicativeofatrail’spopularity.Nonetheless,theycanleadtosafetyissues.Trailplannerscantakepreventativemeasurestoanticipateheavyuseandprecludeuserconflictinmultiple-usetrailspermittingusebywalkers,runners,bicyclists,etc.Potentialtrailconflictsarebestminimizedthroughdesignandthroughsettingtheproperexpectationswhich,inturn,comesfromappropriatewidth,clearsignage,andenforcementofbehavior.

Generaltipsforreducingthepotentialforconflictsinclude:

1. Involveallpotentialusergroupsintheplanningprocesstoraiseissuesandhelpaddressthem.

2. Designtominimizeconflictswithseparatetrailsorshouldersforpedestrianandequestrianusewherepossible.Provideadequatewidthandsightlines.Furnishturnoutsatstoppingpoints,etc.

3. Useclearsignageorpavementmarkingstodefineetiquetteandyieldingprotocol.

4. Setexpectationsformulti-use.

5. Enforcerulesbyvolunteertrailpatrolsand/orauniformedpresence,especiallywhenatrailisnewtoestablishprecedentandexpectations.

Spatialmanagementisasystemthatdesignatesdifferenttrailsorspacesforparticularuses.Forinstance,trailmanagersmayassignonetrailtocyclistsandanothertrailtowalkers.Inaddition,speedcontrolshelpcurtailspeedingcyclistsonmulti-usetrails.Aformalspeedlimitshouldbeestablishedonlywhenallelsefails;aneffectivespeedlimitrequiresconsistent,ongoingenforcement,anditisunclearwhetherreducingthespeedactuallyimprovestherealorperceivedsafetyofthetrail.Theproblemofexcessspeedmightthereforebebetteraddressedthroughdesign.Forexample,agranularstonesurfacewillencourageslowerspeedsthanapavedsurface.

People pushing strollers are commonly found on multi-use trails

Trail etiquette sign example

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Trailetiquetteshouldbeestablishedatthebeginning.Involvingtrailpatrolsandvolunteertrailambassadorsisagreatwaytobuildcommunitysupportandexpectationsonthetrail.Encourageinteractionbetweenusergroupswithacampaignsuchas,“Justsayhello.”Trailetiquettecanbeformalizedintouserrulesandregulations.Theregulations,developedinconjunctionwithtrailusergroups,shouldspellouttherulesgoverningpublicconductonthetrail.Unlesslegallyrequired,usetermssuchas“trailcourtesy”or“visitorresponsibilities”insteadof“rulesandregulations.”Visualandsimpledisplaysofexpectationsarepreferred.Considerthesecourtesyadvisories:

• Wheelsyieldtoheels

• Becourteoustoalltrailusers

• Travelatareasonablespeedinaconsistentandpredictablemanner

• Alwayslookaheadandbehindbeforepassing

• Passslowertrafficontheleft;yieldtooncomingtrafficwhenpassing

• Giveaclearwarningsignalbeforepassing:usevoicesignal,nothornorbell,whenpassinghorses

• Keepallpetsonashortleash

• Respecttherightsofadjacentpropertyowners

• Don’tbealitterbug

• Pleasecleanupafteryourpets

• Moveoffthetrailwhenstoppedtoallowotherstopass

• Yieldtootheruserswhenenteringandcrossingthetrail

• Motorizedvehiclesareprohibited(exceptelectricwheelchairs)

• Alcoholicbeveragesandillegaldrugsarenotpermittedonthetrail

• Firearms,fireworks,andfiresarenotpermittedonthetrail

• Alltrailusersshouldusealightandreflectorsafterduskandbeforedawn

• Travelnomorethantwoabreast

• Beawareandcourteoustootherswhileusingacellularphone

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5.8 DOGS ON TRAILSTheMBSSTNetworkinSantaCruzCountytraversesapproximately50milesfromthebanksofthePajaroRiverinthesouth,upnorthtotheSanMateoCountyline.TheMBSSTNetworkwillpassthroughseveraldifferentcity,county,andstateproperties,allwithvaryingrulesandregulationsaddressingdogsintheparklandsandontrails.

Oneofthemostpopulartrailactivitiestodayispeoplewalkingtheirdogs.Formanypeople,atrailwalkinvariablymeansawalkwiththedog.Thishasbecomeanimportantactivityforboththeownerandthepettoenjoytheoutdoorsandgetsomeexercise.Forsometrailusers,thisisanopportunitytoletthedogrunfreeinavailableopenareas.Alongmulti-usetrails,agencymanagersoftenpostleashlawstohelpreinforcesafetypoliciesandleashrequirements.

Wildlifehabitatareasareespeciallysensitivetounleasheddogs.Trailsnearwaterways,shorelines,ripariancorridors,andpotentialnestingareasoftenincludeleashlawstopreventdogsfromhavingcontactwithwildlife.Dogsbenefitfromwearingaleashbybeingprotectedfromrattlesnakes,ticks,traffic,trailuserconflicts,andvariousotherhazardsanddistractions.

Asthepopularityofdogwalkingcontinuestogrow,sodoestheneedtopreventdogwastefromimpactingthetrailandadjacentuses.Implementingentitiesshouldrequirepetwasteremovalandprovidedogwastebagdispensersattrailheads.Moreremotesitesorneighborhoodaccessareasmayincludeasimpleregulationsignrequiringpetownerstocollecttheirpetwastebothasacourtesytootherusersandamanagementtoolforhabitatpreservation.Dogsmayberestrictedintrailsectionsthatareadjacenttoagriculturallandswheresensitivityrelatingtocontaminationexists.

Thewasteremovalrestrictionsdonotapplytoserviceanimals,asdefinedbytheFederalAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA).TheADAdefinesaserviceanimalasanyguidedog,signaldog,orotheranimalindividuallytrainedtoprovideassistancetoanindividualwithadisability.

CurrentlytheCaliforniaStateParks’rulesandregulationsrequiredogsonaleashwithinparkboundaries.CaliforniaStateBeachregulationsrequiredogsbeonaleashandallowedonpavedtrailsonly.

Otherregulationsfordogsontrailsmayincluderequeststohavethepetup-to-datewithallapplicablevaccinationsandacurrentlicensewiththeCountyDepartmentofAnimalServices.Someimplementingentitiesmayhavetheirownanimalcareservicesorlicensing.

Trail runner with dog on a leash

Dogs on leashes

Pet waste station

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5.9 EQUESTRIANS ON TRAILSSpecificdesignconsiderationsforequestrianuseonmulti-usepathsshouldbeconsideredduetothelackofequestrianexperiencenearrailroads,horses’instinctualflightbehavior,andequestrians’generalwarinessofnewandpotentiallychallengingsituations.Someequestrianusersadvocatefencesofsufficientheighttopreventhorsesjumpingthemwhenstartledorfrightened;however,thisconcernmustbebalancedwiththeneedforvisibilityoftrainsforbothhorsesandriders.Horsesthatcannotseeanoncomingorapproachingtrainwillexperiencegreaterfearandconfusionthaniftheyareabletoseeandidentifythesourceofnoise.

Trailwidthisanoverridingdesignissuewhenprovidingequestrianuse.Multi-usepathsdesignedtoaccommodateequestriansshouldprovideaseparateunpavedpathwaythatisatleasteight-(8-)feetwideandthathasaverticalclearanceofatleastten(10)feet.Theequestriantrailshouldbeseparatedaminimumofthree(3)feetfromthepavedmulti-usepath.

Manyhorsesarefrightenedbybridgesandotherelevatedenvironments,particularlylatticeorperforatedbridgesandtrestlesthatallowtheanimalaviewofthegroundsurfacesubstantiallybelowthebridgedeck.Mosthorsesarenotaccustomedtothisenvironmentandwillrespondunpredictablywithpotentiallynegativeconsequences.InSegment5.3,theOldDairyGulchbridgecrossingwillrequireadditionalconsiderationwhendesigningbridgeimprovementstoincorporateequestrians.

Equestrianuseislimitedtoanapproximatelynine-(9-)mile-longstretch(Segments5and6)withintheNorthernReachcoastalareaextendingfromWilderRanchtoDavenport.EquestrianswillutilizetheexistingfacilitieslocatedinWilderRanch.

Figure 5-12 Equestrian trail adjacent to the Coastal Rail Trail

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Equestrian trail opportunity north of Wilder Ranch