Accommodating Pedestrian and Bicycle Access on Parkers Mill Road from New Circle Road to Man O War Boulevard in Lexington

Aultman-Hall, Lisa; Jackson, Eric · 2001 · ROSA P / University of Kentucky Transportation Center

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Summary

This 2001 planning study by the Kentucky Transportation Center addresses the lack of safe pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure on a one-mile segment of Parkers Mill Road in Lexington, Kentucky. The road, characterized by rural design features such as narrow lanes, limited shoulders, and adjacent obstacles, serves as a critical connector between urban neighborhoods, parks, and rural cycling routes. Despite its importance for non-motorized travel, the corridor presents significant safety and comfort challenges due to high vehicle speeds and traffic volumes. The study was motivated by the need for an interim solution, as permanent reconstruction is not scheduled for 10 to 15 years. The objective was to gather background data and stakeholder input to develop alternative plans that accommodate pedestrians and cyclists while maintaining the road’s rural character and addressing safety concerns. The methodology combined extensive field data collection with community engagement. Researchers analyzed traffic counts, speed observations, crash history from 1997–1999, and geometric constraints, including property boundaries and elevation profiles. Stakeholder input was gathered through mailed surveys and a public discussion meeting attended by 24 participants, including residents, bicycle club members, and transportation officials. During the meeting, participants used electronic polling to rate the utility of five potential accommodation locations and evaluate various infrastructure types. The study identified eight key community needs, including recreational access, accommodation for diverse user groups (from advanced cyclists to children), traffic calming, and protection of horses from pedestrians. The report evaluates nine alternative solutions, ranging from low-cost measures to significant infrastructure changes. Options included shared-use paths on adjacent farm roads, dedicated paths or sidewalks along Parkers Mill Road, traffic calming measures (speed humps, reduced speed limits), “Share the Road” signage, road closure, and conversion to one-way traffic with an adjacent bike/pedestrian lane. Cost estimates varied significantly, from under $1,000 for signage to approximately $250,000 for a south-side shared-use path, which would require property acquisition and legal resolution regarding a historic concrete wall. Analysis revealed that no single alternative satisfied all community objectives. For instance, traffic calming and signage addressed advanced cyclists but failed to accommodate pedestrians or casual riders. Conversely, dedicated paths and sidewalks were expensive and faced property rights hurdles. Road closure and one-way conversion addressed most concerns except speed reduction and were relatively low-cost but required further consultation regarding emergency access and community opposition. The study concludes that a comprehensive solution requires collaboration between the community, local officials, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. It recommends supporting existing plans for off-road paths south of Parkers Mill Road while considering interim measures like traffic calming and signage. The findings highlight the complexity of retrofitting rural-design roads for multimodal use in urbanizing areas, emphasizing the need to balance safety, cost, property rights, and diverse user needs. The report serves as a decision-making tool for selecting a course of action, potentially funded through transportation enhancement grants, to improve non-motorized access before the road’s eventual reconstruction.

Key finding

No single infrastructure alternative satisfied all community objectives, with road closure and one-way conversion addressing most concerns except speed, while path construction faced significant property and cost barriers.

Methodology

field_study

Sample size: 24

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• cyclist safety