The Institute continues its strategic review of recommended practices. This review began with the development of criteria for ITE recommended practices, a commissioned study, a membership survey, a literature review for each existing ITE recommended practice, and a review of recent sales history. After the initial review of recommended practices, each technical council has continued reviewing recommended practices with their subject matter experts monitoring the state of the topical literature.
Based on these reviews, proposals are put forward to retain, update, combine, or rescind each recommended practice. The proposals were considered, and a consensus has been reached to rescind three existing ITE recommended practices. In accordance with Institute procedures, comments on the proposed rescissions are being solicited before final action is taken. Comments are due by July 1, 2008.
Which ITE Recommended Practices Are Proposed to be Rescinded?
After considering the information gathered from the literature search, the responses to the membership survey, recent sales history, and the findings of a commissioned study of all ITE recommended practices (RP), it is the consensus of the ITE Standing Committee on Recommended Practices (SCORP), the responsible ITE Council Executive Committees, the ITE Coordinating Council, and the ITE International Board of Direction that the following no longer not meet the Institute’s criteria for RPs and should be rescinded:
- Guidelines for Driveway Location and Design (RP-006B)
- Traffic and Parking Control For Snow Emergencies (RP-012A)
- Design and Safety of Pedestrian Facilities (RP-026)
Further details for each are provided below.
What Are the Criteria That ITE Recommended Practices Must Meet?
The ITE Standing Committee on Recommended Practices, the ITE Coordinating Council, and the ITE International Board of Direction adopted the following criteria for the development and retention of ITE recommended practices:
- There is demonstrated widespread interest and need for the recommended practice among transportation professionals and organizations that cannot be satisfied by an informational report
- Without the RP, there is a risk that application of practices in an inconsistent or poor manner could result in negative consequences to the public
- A general consensus can be achieved on what constitutes best or recommended practice on the topic
- ITE is the most appropriate organization to develop and maintain the RP, and the RP would not duplicate practices already recommended by other organizations
- A combination of volunteer, staff, and financial resources is available and committed to support the development and maintenance of the RP
It is the consensus of those involved in this review that each of the recommended practices being proposed for rescission fail to meet one or more of these criteria.
What Are the Reasons for Each Rescission?
The basis for rescission for each affected RP is summarized below:
Guidelines for Driveway Location and Design (RP-006B)
Content Summary: Written in 1987. This document was written two decades ago and provided guidance on the location and design of driveways that provide access from public streets and highways to developments on abutting property. It includes classifications and definitions, design considerations, traffic volumes, design elements and recommended guidelines.
Reasons for Rescission: The Traffic Engineering Council formed a committee to review this document and determine its long-term value to ITE. This committee determined that the material is significantly dated and should not be maintained as a recommended practice by ITE. A current National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) project (NCHRP 15-35, Geometric Design of Driveways, http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=415) is developing recommendations for geometric design of driveways to be used by state departments of transportation and local governments in preparing driveway design standards and practices. The resulting recommendations would consider standard engineering practice and accessibility needs and provide safe and efficient travel by motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists on the affected roadway. At the completion of this research the Council will assess the NCHRP report to determine if it can serve as a recommended practice for ITE or if a new one should be developed to replace RP-006B. In the interim, the Council recommends that the current Recommended Practice be rescinded as it does not provide enough useful and relevant information to remain as a Recommended Practice until the NCHRP project is completed.
Traffic and Parking Control For Snow Emergencies (RP-012A)
Content Summary: Written in 1983. This document serves as a guide to parking, traffic control, and enforcement measures that can be used to deal effectively with vehicular traffic constraints during snow and ice removal operations.
Reasons for Rescission: This document was written 25 years ago. Traffic Engineering Council members and experts from winter weather states see the material as dated and do not view it as worth maintaining as practices vary significantly by jurisdiction. Despite concerted efforts by the council, interest is lacking to update the RP.
Design and Safety of Pedestrian Facilities (RP-026)
Content Summary: Written in 1995. This report was approved in June 1997 as a Recommended Practice of the Institute of Transportation Engineers. It supersedes the Proposed Recommended Practice, RP-026, dated December 1994, and discusses guidelines for the design and safety of pedestrian facilities to provide safe and efficient opportunities for people to walk near streets and highways. Chapters include topics of roadway design considerations; pedestrians with disabilities; sidewalks and paths; pedestrian and motorist signing; signalization; crosswalks and stop lines; pedestrian refuge islands; pedestrian barriers; curb parking restrictions; grade-separated crossings; school practices; neighborhood traffic control measures; pedestrian-oriented environments; transit stops; and work zone pedestrian safety.
Reasons for Rescission: The Pedestrian/Bicycle Council review this Recommended Practice and found it outdated. The Recommended Practice has been superseded by the Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities, (July 2004, AASHTO).
Where Can I Get More Information?
Copies of each of the ITE recommended practices slated for rescission can be viewed at www.ite.org/councils/coordinating.asp.
Listings and descriptions of all existing ITE recommended practices can be found by searching for "recommended practice" in the ITE Bookstore www.ite.org/bookstore.
Comments on these planned rescissions are due by July 1, 2008. To submit comments, one may either e-mail Douglas E. Noble, Senior Director for Management and Operations at dnoble@ite.org with the subject line “RP Rescission Comments” or by postal mail to:
RP Rescission Comments
c/o Douglas E. Noble
Senior Director, Management and Operations
Institute of Transportation Engineers
1099 14th Street, NW
Suite 300 West
Washington, DC 20005
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