Offset to fixed objects on urban streets

[dengstro]

How are parking lanes taken into account to determine the offset to a fixed object. Oftentimes, the street does not have and edgeline strip to delineate the parking lane from the travel lane. Additionally, if curb and gutter have been installed, where do you measure from - the curb face or gutter/pavement interface?

[mdimaiuta]

With regards to parking lanes, I would refer to the 2011 AASHTO "Green Book" definition of "clear zone" (p. 4-15) in determining the offset to a fixed object; i.e., "The clear zone includes...auxiliary (e.g., parking) lanes unless the auxiliary lane functions like a through lane."

If curb and gutter have been installed, my best guess is that the offset would be measured from the gutter/pavement interface, since the curb/gutter are not part of the traveled way.

I will do some more research on these issues...

- Mike Dimaiuta
FHWA Geometric Design Lab / HSM Support

[dengstro]

Thanks, Makes sense