TRAIL DESIGN GUIDELINES

Identity

T-1 Establish and follow a baseline vocabulary for attractive, welldesigned, commonly placed site elements for standard, system-wide identity. Baseline elements include signage and furnishings.

T-2 Working within that overall system identity, develop distinct themes for each trail to establish a unique character. Themes may be expressed through signage, custom furnishings, and plant selections.

T-3 Historic and environmental interpretive elements should be included to contribute to trail character.

Trail Surface and Cross-Section

T-4 Off-street shared use (pedestrians, bikes, and other non-motorized use) trails should generally have the following basic design characteristics:

• Paved (asphalt or compacted AB) trail.

• Preferred width of 16’, including two shared 6’ travel lanes and two 2’ shoulders.

• 10’-12’ trail width acceptable where context requires.

• Opportunity zones for amenities in additional 4’ right-of-way where possible.

See Figure 5-3 for typical trail cross-sections.

T-5 Trails should be a minimum of 10 feet wide to accommodate maintenance and emergency vehicles, or 12 feet in areas requiring storm drainage maintenance equipment.

T-6 The Bikeways Master Plan contains more detailed guidance and specifications for bike facilities, street crossings, sidewalks and paths adjacent to roadways. These paths will be an integral part of Tracy's trail system.

Trail Entry and Access

T-7 Provide trail access points that give a sense of arrival and encourage use, including accent planting and attractive signage consistent with City standards.

T-8 Use universal design principles to facilitate access and movement onto and along trails for people of all ages and abilities.

T-9 Include secure bicycle parking at all destinations along trails, and at trail amenity zones.

T-10 Maintain good sight lines from public streets and buildings and create clear entrances and clear boundaries, following principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED).

T-11 Establish safe street and rail crossings, following guidelines established in the Bikeways Master Plan. Specific crossing design will be based on detailed, site-specific analysis.

Edges, Buffers and Setbacks

T-12 Trails along active rail lines should be set back a minimum of 26 feet from the centerline of the nearest track. Within this setback, a vegetated buffer backed by a safety barrier that prevents access should be provided.

T-13 Trails along irrigation canals should be set back from the top of the canal by at least four feet, with a safety barrier preventing access but allowing views to the canal.

T-14 Trails along streets should be set back according to guidelines provided in the Bikeways Master Plan.

T-15 Through placement of amenities and use of planting and lighting mitigation techniques, design trails in a way that minimizes impacts such as noise and lighting on neighboring properties.

Organization of Trail Elements

T-16 Trail alignment and plantings should be designed to optimize visibility, to allow for natural surveillance among users and minimize conflicts between bikes and pedestrians.

T-17 Include amenities along the trail at intervals that ensure user comfort. Opportunities to sit or lean should be provided at least every 1/4-mile. Shaded areas with seating should be provided at least every 1 mile. These amenity zones should be located to take advantage of hospitable conditions including shade, views, and sound.

T-18 Locate permanent restrooms and drinking fountains where trails intersection with City parks (see also Park Design Guidelines.)

Features and Amenities

T-19 Provide a diversity of trail amenities that attract and support different types of users, including recreational users, commuters, children and seniors.

T-20 Ensure that at least 50% of seating and picnic areas are shaded, either through natural tree canopy or installed shade structures (from at least 11 am –4 pm during summer months).

T-21 Select all paving, site furnishing, and landscape materials based on durability as well as aesthetic value.

T-22 Ensure that proposed trail design and construction, including trail amenities, are consistent with City design detail and specifications.

T-23 Trails and amenities shall be accessible to all users and abilities and comply with current state and national design standards that meet or exceed the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design and the California Building Code. Trails, paths and nature walk areas, or portions of them, shall be constructed with gradients permitting at least partial use by wheelchair occupants. Nature trails and similar educational and informational areas shall be accessible to individuals with vision impairments by the provision of rope guidelines, raised Arabic numerals and symbols, or other similar guide and assistance devices.

Lighting and Fencing

T-24 Use lighting to promote public safety and security, following the principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED).

T-25 Where appropriate, provide lighting to extend the use of trails at night.

TRAIL THROUGH PARK OR OPEN SPACE (TYPICAL)

Wayfinding signage

TRAIL ALONG ACTIVE RAIL LINE (TYPICAL)

TRAIL ALONG IRRIGATION CANAL (TYPICAL)

Trail cross-sections are conceptual and generalized.. Trail development will require detailed design .

T-26 Design lighting systems and select fixtures to minimize light pollution/spillage.

T-27 Require energy-efficient technology when replacing existing or installing new lighting, including light elements. Use “smart” technology when possible, i.e. lighting systems that adjust automatically depending upon user patterns in buildings and parks.

T-28 Barriers and fencing must successfully ensure privacy and prevent access, while also supporting a good trail experience.

• Trails should be separated from the back yards of private property by plantings backed by fences, which should be eight feet in height. Plantings should be minmal to reduce water use and maintenance costs.

• Trails should be set back and buffered from rail lines and arterial roadways as defined in the Bikeways Master Plan and in Policy 10c.

• Trails should be separated from irrigation canals by a barriers that meet code requirements while preserving views of the canal.

Signage

T-29 Provide standard trailhead signage that identifies the trail name and promotes a positive and consistent identity for

Tracy’s trail system.

T-30 Place a standard, legally confirmed set of rules in a visible and secondary location that does not negatively impact the welcoming nature of the trail entry.

T-31 Establish a standardized wayfinding system to clearly identify trail route and destinations as well as nearby civic, historic, cultural or ecological landmarks.

T-32 Trail signage will:

• Vary by context. Signs at trailheads and along offstreet and on-street trail segments will be designed and scaled for their setting and the user groups they serve.

• Be legible and accessible. Signage will use lettering sized for visibility, and include translation where needed.

• Leverage other features. Signage may be mounted on street furnishings or painted on surfaces.

• Create identity. More than any other trail element, wayfinding signs produce identity for both the system and individual trail.

• Tell a story. Interpretive signage can tell us about native peoples, subsequent history, our environment, and our current experience.

Landscape

T-33 Preserve habitat and natural resources with trail development.

T-34 Follow all applicable design guidelines for landscape found in Chapter 3: Parks.