902.8 Bicycle Signals (MUTCD Chapter 4H)

902.8.1 Use of Bicycle Signal Faces (MUTCD Section 4H.01)

Guidance. Bicycle signals are not currently used on MoDOT facilities. When considering the use of bicycle signals, the Highway Safety and Traffic Division should be contacted for guidance.

Option. A bicycle signal face may be used to provide separate control bicyclist movements for various situations, including the following:

A. To provide a protected bicycle signal phase or a leading or lagging bicycle interval;

B. To continue a through bicycle lane on the right-hand side of a mandatory right-turn lane (or on the left-hand side of a mandatory left-turn lane) that would otherwise be in non-compliance with the first paragraph of EPG 914.5.2 or the seventh paragraph of EPG 914.5.6;

C. To provide a bicycle interval for a counter-flow bicycle facility; or

D. To provide for unusual or unexpected arrangements of the bicyclist movement through complex intersections, conflict areas, or signal control.

A bicycle signal face may be used at a mid-block traffic control signal where there are no motor vehicle movements parallel to the bicycle crossing.

Support. EPG 902.3 contains information on warrants for the installation of a new traffic control signal.

Guidance. The decision as to whether to incorporate a bicycle signal face(s) into a new traffic control signal design should be made during the engineering study performed in accordance with the first standard paragraph of EPG 902.3.1.

Engineering judgment should be exercised in determining whether or not it would be advantageous or beneficial to install a bicycle signal face(s) at an existing traffic control signal.

Support. Retrofitting existing circular traffic signals that are operated as bicycle signal faces with bicycle symbol signal faces is analogous to retrofitting existing traffic signals with pedestrian signals where such a determination is not required through an engineering study.

For the purpose of warrant analyses, provisions for classifying bicycles are provided in the fifth option paragraph of EPG 902.3.1 and the second paragraph of EPG 914.6.1.

Standard. If used, a bicycle signal face shall only be used to control bicyclist movements from a designated bicycle lane or from a separate facility, such as a shared-use path.

If used, a bicycle signal face shall only be used to control bicyclist movements where bicyclists moving on a GREEN BICYCLE or YELLOW BICYCLE signal indication are not in conflict with any simultaneous motor vehicle movement at the signalized location, including right (or left) turns on red.

Guidance. If used where motor vehicle traffic can make the same movements as bicyclists, a bicycle signal face should only be used if the bicyclist movement controlled by the bicycle signal face is sometimes allowed to proceed or sometimes required to stop at times when motor vehicle traffic, making the same movement and controlled by other vehicular signal faces, is required to stop or allowed to proceed, respectively.

902.8.2 Prohibited Uses of Bicycle Signal Faces (MUTCD Section 4H.02)

Standard. Bicycle signal faces shall not be used to control conflicting bicyclist movements from perpendicular or nearly perpendicular directions.

Bicycle signal faces shall not be used for controlling any bicyclist movement that is sharing an approach lane with motor vehicle traffic.

Bicycle signal faces shall not be used in any manner with respect to the design and operation of a hybrid beacon.

902.8.3 Bicycle Signal Signs (MUTCD Section 4H.03)

Support. The primary purposes of the Bicycle Signal (R10-40, R10-40a, R10-41, R10-41a, R10-41b) sign (see EPG 914.2.10) are to inform road users that the signal indications in the bicycle signal face are intended only for bicyclists and to inform bicyclists which specific bicyclist movements are controlled by the bicycle signal face.

Standard. Except as provided in the subsequent paragraph, a Bicycle Signal (R10-40, R10-40a, R10-41, R10-41a, or R10-41b) sign shall be installed immediately adjacent to (including above or below) every bicycle signal face. The Bicycle Signal sign shall have a minimum size of 24 inches x 36 inches if it is placed next to an overhead-mounted bicycle signal face and shall have a minimum size of 12 inches x 21 inches if it is placed next to a post-mounted bicycle signal face.

Option. The Bicycle Signal sign may be omitted adjacent to a supplemental near-side bicycle signal face containing 4-inch indications.

902.8.4 Application of Bicycle Symbol Signal Indications during Steady (Stop-and-Go) Operation (MUTCD Section 4H.04)

Standard. Steady bicycle symbol signal indications shall be applied as follows:

A. A steady RED BICYCLE signal indication shall be displayed when it is intended to prohibit bicyclists in a designated bicycle lane or from a separate facility such as a shared-use path from entering the intersection or other controlled area. Turning after stopping shall be permitted as stated in Item C in the first Standard paragraph of EPG 902.1.5.

B. A steady YELLOW BICYCLE signal indication shall be displayed following a GREEN BICYCLE signal indication in the same bicycle signal face. A YELLOW BICYCLE signal indication shall not be displayed in conjunction with the change from the RED BICYCLE signal indication to a GREEN BICYCLE signal indication. The YELLOW BICYCLE signal indication shall be followed by a RED BICYCLE signal indication.

C. A steady GREEN BICYCLE signal indication shall be displayed only when it is intended to permit bicyclists in a designated bicycle lane or from a separate facility such as a shared-use path to enter the intersection as discussed in EPG 902.1.5.

902.8.5 Application of Bicycle Symbol Signal Indications during Flashing Operation (MUTCD Section 4H.05)

Standard. The mode of operation of the bicycle signal faces at a traffic control signal shall be the same as the mode of operation of the other traffic signal faces at the same signalized location. Bicycle signal faces shall operate in the steady (stop-and-go) mode when the other traffic signal faces are operating in the steady (stop-and-go) mode. Bicycle signal faces shall operate in the flashing mode when the other signal faces are operating in the flashing mode. Bicycle signal faces shall not be placed in a dark mode when other vehicular traffic signal faces are operating in the flashing mode.

Guidance. When a traffic control signal is operated in the flashing mode, bicycle signal faces should display a flashing RED BICYCLE signal indication if the other vehicular signal faces on the same approach are displaying flashing red signal indications or if there are no other vehicular signal faces on the same approach.

When a traffic control signal is operated in the flashing mode, bicycle signal faces should display a flashing YELLOW BICYCLE signal indication if the other vehicular signal faces for the through lanes on the same approach are displaying flashing yellow signal indications unless it is determined by engineering judgment that a flashing RED BICYCLE signal indication would provide a safer operation.

902.8.6 Layout of Bicycle Signal Faces (MUTCD Section 4H.06)

Standard. Bicycle signal faces shall consist of all bicycle symbol signal indications (see Figure 902.8.6). Circular or arrow signal indications shall not be used in a bicycle signal face.

Option. Bicycle signal faces may be oriented vertically or horizontally.

Standard. The layouts and arrangements of the bicycle signal face shall be in accordance with the following provisions:

A. Only the bicycle symbol shown on Page 6-7 in the FHWA 2004 Standard Highway Signs publication (see EPG 911 (MUTCD Section 1A.05)) shall be used for bicycle symbol signal indications and shall be proportioned to fit within the signal lens. The bicycle symbol shall only be positioned horizontally and shall face to the left.

B. The RED BICYCLE, YELLOW BICYCLE, and GREEN BICYCLE signal indications shall be in the same relative position to each other as specified for the CIRCULAR RED, CIRCULAR YELLOW, and CIRCULAR GREEN signal indications, respectively, in EPG 902.5.4 and EPG 902.5.5.

C. As a specific exception to the first option paragraph of EPG 902.5.4, two YELLOW BICYCLE signal indications or two GREEN BICYCLE signal indications shall not be arranged horizontally adjacent to each other at right angles to the basic straight line arrangement to form a clustered signal face.

Option. Backplates (see the second support paragraph and tenth standard paragraph of EPG 902.4.6) may be used with bicycle signal faces.

If a bicycle signal face having 4-inch signal indications is used, the accompanying visors may be omitted.

Figure 902.8.6 Typical Arrangements of Bicycle Signal Faces

902.8.7 Size of Bicycle Symbol Signal Indications (MUTCD Section 4H.07)

Standard. There shall be three nominal diameter sizes for bicycle signal indications: 4 inches, 8 inches, and 12 inches.

All signal indications to be maintained by MoDOT shall be 12 inches.

All signal indications in a bicycle signal face shall be of the same size.

Four-inch signal indications shall not be used for any bicycle signal face other than a supplemental, post-mounted, near-side bicycle signal face.

902.8.8 Placement of Bicycle Signal Faces (MUTCD Section 4H.08)

Standard. The provisions of EPG 902.4.5 through EPG 902.4.8 shall apply to the placement of the bicycle signal faces except as follows:

A. As a specific exception to Item A in the first standard paragraph of EPG 902.4.5, a minimum of one primary bicycle signal face shall be provided to control traffic for the bicyclist movement, even if a bicyclist through movement exists.

B. The primary bicycle signal face shall have either 8-inch or 12-inch signal indications, even if it is located at the near side of the signal-controlled location.

C. When the primary bicycle signal face is located more than 120 feet beyond the stop line, a supplemental near-side bicycle signal face shall be provided.

Guidance. When the primary bicycle signal face is located more than 80 feet and up to 120 feet beyond the stop line, a supplemental near-side bicycle signal face should be provided.

A bicycle signal face should be separated horizontally or vertically from the nearest vehicular traffic signal face for the same approach by at least 3 feet measured either horizontally perpendicular to the approach between the centers of the signal faces or vertically from the center of the lowest signal indication of the top signal face to the center of the highest signal indication of the bottom signal face. If horizontally-arranged or clustered signal faces are used, the minimum 3-foot horizontal separation between the two signal faces should be measured from the center of the right-most signal indication in the signal face on the left to the center of the left-most signal indication in the signal face on the right.

Bicycle signal faces should be placed such that visibility is maximized for bicyclists and minimized for adjacent or conflicting vehicle movements not controlled by the bicycle signal face. Consideration should be given to using visibility-limited bicycle signal faces in situations where drivers not controlled by the bicycle signal face might be confused by viewing the bicycle signal indications, such as when the bicyclist movement controlled by the bicycle signal face is sometimes allowed to proceed or sometimes required to stop at times when motor vehicle traffic, making the same movement and controlled by other vehicular signal faces, is required to stop or allowed to proceed, respectively.

902.8.9 Mounting Height of Bicycle Signal Faces (MUTCD Section 4H.09)

Standard. The provisions of EPG 902.4.9 shall apply to the mounting height of bicycle signal faces except as follows:

A. The bottom of the signal housing (including brackets) of a bicycle signal face that is not located over a roadway or shoulder shall be a minimum of 7 feet above the sidewalk or ground, and

B. If 4-inch signal indications are used in a supplemental, post-mounted, near-side bicycle signal face, the bottom of the signal housing (including brackets) shall be a minimum of 4 feet and a maximum of 8 feet above the sidewalk or ground. Bicycle signal faces with 4-inch signal indications installed above a pedestrian sidewalk or pathway shall not project more than 4 inches into the pedestrian facility.

902.8.10 Intensity and Light Distribution of Bicycle Signal Faces (MUTCD Section 4H.10)

Guidance. Except for the 4-inch nominal size of the lens diameter, the intensity and distribution of light from each illuminated bicycle signal face should be similar to those recommended for vehicular traffic signal faces in accordance with the tenth standard paragraph of EPG 902.5.1 to the extent practical.

902.8.11 Yellow Change and Red Clearance Intervals for Bicycle Signal Faces (MUTCD Section 4H.11)

Standard. The provisions of EPG 902.6.17 shall apply to the duration of the yellow change and the red clearance intervals of a bicycle signal phase.

Guidance. The minimum duration of the yellow change interval of a bicycle signal phase should be 3 seconds.

Support. The function of the yellow change interval is to warn bicyclists approaching a signalized location that their permission to proceed is being terminated after which they will be directed to stop. Providing clearance time for a bicyclist to travel through the intersection or conflict area is the purpose of the red clearance interval rather than the yellow change interval.

902.8.12 Bicycle Push Buttons (MUTCD Section 4H.12)

Option. Bicycle push buttons may be used for bicycle detection.

Support. The location of bicycle push buttons intended only for use by bicyclists and not pedestrians are determined by engineering judgment considering a reasonable reach without requiring most bicyclists to dismount.

Standard. Where used, push buttons intended to be used by both pedestrians and bicyclists shall be located and operated to meet all accessibility requirements (see EPG 902.9.5).

Bicycle push buttons shall be accompanied by an appropriate regulatory sign (R10-4, R10-24, or R10-26) explaining the purpose and operation of the push button (see EPG 903.2.47 and EPG 914.2.8).