Freeway Ramp Active Mobility Enhancement Study (FRAMES)

Mark Thomas conducted the Freeway Ramp Active Mobility Enhancement Study (FRAMES) for Caltrans District 12 to advance the local California Active Transportation (CAT) Plan, which identifies high priority active transportation needs along and across the State Highway System.

FRAMES analyzes freeway ramps to document needs and develop solutions for improved safety by people walking and cycling at the junction with local arterial roadways. The technical study advances the Caltrans District 12 Active Transportation Plan (D12 CAT Plan) which utilized public and stakeholder input to establish three tiers of priority improvement locations within Orange County. The team hosted workshops, stakeholder meetings, and technical group meetings to discuss the project Purpose and Need, identify the location-based needs on the network, and develop planning-level designs and recommendations that prioritize the safety and mobility of vulnerable active transportation users.

The planning level work utilized state and national standards for improving the design of intersections where freeway ramp traffic is entering or exiting the mainline freeway. These junctions with the local roadway network are high stress locations for people walking and cycling. Our team identified industry standard and innovative treatments, countermeasures, and non-standard features for consideration by Caltrans and local agency staff.