The trade body Interpave has published a new case study examining the latest innovation in kerbs designed to protect cyclists in cities. Initially developed for the London CS2 cycleway extension, the latest generation of precast concrete cycleway segregation kerb units has also been used as part of the Nottingham Cycle City Ambition Programme.
Following a significant number of cycle related incidents on the CS2 route, Transport for London sought segregation of cyclists from traffic – particularly on the ‘blind side’ of commercial vehicles and buses. However, an alternative was needed to the standard kerb with block paving inlay previously used for segregation ‘islands’.
The solution was a 500mm wide, single element precast concrete unit, reducing on-site installation time and traffic disruption. This unit has a special splayed cross-section to one side, reducing the possibility of cyclists catching a pedal, and can accommodate vertical or other standard profiles to the vehicle side. A fresh, low intervention approach to retrofit installation formed a key part of the new system’s development and installation time for construction of the cycle route was reduced by 50%.
The new precast concrete kerb system was developed with a shot-blasted granite appearance for CS2, replicating the Chinese granite kerbs used previously. However, being manufactured in the UK, the precast concrete products provide a 33% carbon footprint reduction over the granite kerbs and also utilise 82% recycled and secondary material content in their manufacture.
A similar precast concrete cycleway segregation kerb system is being used in Nottingham on the Western Cycle Corridor. Here, a smooth finish bespoke kerb unit is being used, with a 290mm wide section to suit the limited space availability. This single unit replaces two kerbs ‘back-to-back’, avoiding in situ jointing and delays
The new case study is one of many, freely available to download via www.paving.org.uk where you can also request regular e:Bulletin updates from Interpave.