14.2.2.2.2 Step Two: Determine BLTS Classification

Use the data gathered from the facility inventory and the relevant BLTS classification tables shown on the BLTS Inventory and Classification Template
(see Appendix O, Section 3 – BLTS Inventory and Classification
) to determine a BLTS classification. The BLTS classification reference tables are also shown in Table 14-21

. The preliminary BLTS classification is written down on the BLTS Inventory and Classification template. Determining the overall BLTS classification of the facility occurs in Step 3
, this step is a preliminary determination of BLTS classification.

Table 14-21: BLTS Analysis Tables by Facility Type
Facility Type	Tables Used to Determine PLTS
Bicycle lanes that are adjacent to vehicular traffic (does not include bicycle lanes that are adjacent to vehicular traffic but are separated by a large vertical barrier)	Use Table 14-22 if the facility is adjacent to on-street parking Use Table 14-23 if the facility is not adjacent to on-street parking
Mixed traffic bicycle accommodations	Use Table 14-24
Bicycle accommodations at intersection approaches	Use Table 14-25 if the facility is a pocket bike lane (a bike lane positioned between a right-turn lane and a through lane at an intersection) Use Table 14-26 for mixed traffic bicycle accommodations at intersection right-turns Use Table 14-27 for mixed traffic bicycle accommodations at intersection left turns
Bicycle accommodations at unsignalized intersection crossings or midblock crossings	Use Table 14-28 if the facility is an unsignalized intersection crossing or midblock crossing with no raised median. Use Table 14-29 if the facility is an unsignalized crossing or midblock crossing with a raised median (one to two lanes). Use Table 14-30 if the facility is an unsignalized intersection crossing or midblock crossing with a raised median (three or more lanes).

A bicycle route can be comprised of several individual bicycle accommodations (e.g., a segment of bike lane not disconnected from vehicular traffic, a segment of mixed traffic bicycle accommodations, and a bicycle facility at an intersection approach). If this is the case, data is collected for each facility and a BLTS classification assigned to each facility separately in preparation for the overall facility BLTS classification.

Table 14-22: BLTS Criteria for Bicycle Lanes Alongside a Parking Lane
Posted Speed	1 Lane Per Direction			≥2 Lanes Per Direction
Posted Speed	≥15-ft bicycle lane + parking width	14-14.5-ft bicycle lane + parking width	≤13.5-ft bicycle lane + parking width²	≥2 Lanes Per Direction
≤25	BLTS 1	BLTS 2	BLTS 3	BLTS 3
30	BLTS 2	BLTS 2	BLTS 3	BLTS 3
35	BLTS 3	BLTS 3	BLTS 3	BLTS 3
≥40	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4

¹Applicable to bicycle accommodations that are adjacent to on-street parking

²Use this column if bicycle lane blockage is common

Table 14-23: BLTS Criteria for Bicycle Accommodations Not Alongside a Parking Lane
Posted Speed	1 Lane Per Direction		2 Lanes Per Direction with Raised Median	≥2 Lanes Per Direction or No Raised Median
Posted Speed	≥6-ft bicycle lane width	≤5.5-ft bicycle lane width	2 Lanes Per Direction with Raised Median	≥2 Lanes Per Direction or No Raised Median
≤30	BLTS 1	BLTS 2	BLTS 2	BLTS 3
35	BLTS 3	BLTS 3	BLTS 3	BLTS 3
≥40	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4

¹Applicable to bicycle accommodations that are not adjacent to on-street parking

Table 14-24: BLTS Criteria for Mixed Traffic Bicycle Lanes
Posted Speed	Unmarked Centerline	1 Through Lane Per Direction	2 Through Lanes Per Direction	≥3 Through Lanes Per direction
≤20	BLTS 1	BLTS 1	BLTS 3	BLTS 3
25	BLTS 1	BLTS 1	BLTS 3	BLTS 3
30	BLTS 2	BLTS 2	BLTS 3	BLTS 4
35	BLTS 2	BLTS 2	BLTS 3	BLTS 4
40	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4
≥45	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4

Table 14-25: BLTS Criteria for Pocket Bicycle Lanes at Intersection Approaches^1,2
Posted Speed	≤150-ft Right-Turn Lane Length	>150-ft Right-Turn Lane Length	Other³
≤25	BLTS 1	BLTS 2	BLTS 4
30	BLTS 2	BLTS 3	BLTS 4
35	BLTS 3	BLTS 3	BLTS 4
≥40	BLTS 3	BLTS 4	BLTS 4

¹Only applicable when bicycle accommodations interact with right-turn lanes at an intersection approach

²Pocket bicycle lanes are bicycle lanes positioned between a right-turn lane and a through lane at an intersection

³Scenarios in this category include dual right-turn lanes, or a right turn and shared through-right combination

Table 14-26: BLTS Criteria for Mixed Traffic Bicycle Accommodations at Intersection Approaches (Right-Turn Lanes)¹
Posted Speed	≤75-ft Right-Turn Lane Length	75 – 150-ft Right-Turn Lane Length	>150-ft Right-Turn Lane Length
≤25	BLTS 1	BLTS 1	BLTS 2
30	BLTS 1	BLTS 2	BLTS 3
35	BLTS 2	BLTS 3	BLTS 4
≥40	BLTS 3	BLTS 4	BLTS 4

¹Only applicable when bicycle accommodations interact with right-turn lanes at an intersection approach

Table 14-27: BLTS Criteria for Mixed Traffic Bicycle Accommodations at Intersection Approaches (Left-Turn Lanes)¹
Posted Speed	No Lane Crossed	1 Lane Crossed	≥2 Lanes Crossed	Other
≤25	BLTS 2	BLTS 3	BLTS 4	BLTS 4
30	BLTS 3	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4
≥35	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4

¹Only applicable when bicycle route can turn left and uses left-turn lane instead of two stage crossing at signalized crosswalks

Table 14-28: BLTS Classification of Unsignalized Intersection Crossing or Midblock Crossings (No Raised Median)
Posted Speed	Adjacent Roadway Lanes¹
	2 Lanes			3+ Lanes
	<5,000 vpd	5,000 – 9,000 vpd	>9,000 vpd	<8,000 vpd	8,000 – 12,000 vpd2	>12,000 vpd
≤25	BLTS 1	BLTS 1	BLTS 2	BLTS 3	BLTS 3	BLTS 4
30	BLTS 1	BLTS 2	BLTS 3	BLTS 3	BLTS 3	BLTS 4
35-40	BLTS 2	BLTS 3	BLTS 4	BLTS 3	BLTS 4	BLTS 4
≥45	BLTS 3	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4

¹For bicycle accommodations that are unsignalized intersection crossings or midblock crossings without a median refuge, this is the total number of lanes on the segment (e.g., a roadway with two lanes in each direction and a two-way left turn lane would have an adjacent lane value of 5)

²Use this column when ADT is unavailable

Table 14-29: BLTS Classification of Unsignalized Intersection Crossing or Midblock Crossings (1 to 2 Lanes – Raised Median)
Posted Speed	Adjacent Roadway Lanes¹
	1 Lane	2 Lane
	Any	<5,000 vpd	5,000 – 9,000 vpd2	>9,000 vpd
≤25	BLTS 1	BLTS 1	BLTS 2	BLTS 2
30	BLTS 2	BLTS 2	BLTS 2	BLTS 2
35-40	BLTS 2	BLTS 2	BLTS 2	BLTS 3
≥45	BLTS 3	BLTS 3	BLTS 3	BLTS 4

¹For bicycle accommodations that are unsignalized intersection crossings or midblock crossings with a median refuge, this is the maximum number of lanes crossed in one direction (e.g., a roadway with two lanes in each direction would have an adjacent roadway lane value of 2)

²Use this column when ADT is unavailable

Table 14-30: BLTS Classification of Unsignalized Intersection Crossing or Midblock Crossings (3 or More Lanes – Raised Median)
Posted Speed	Adjacent Roadway Lanes¹
	3 Lanes			4+ Lanes
	<8,000 vpd	8,000 – 12,000 vpd2	>12,000 vpd	Any
≤25	BLTS 1	BLTS 2	BLTS 3	BLTS 4
30	BLTS 2	BLTS 2	BLTS 3	BLTS 4
35-40	BLTS 3	BLTS 3	BLTS 4	BLTS 4
≥45	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4	BLTS 4

¹For bicycle accommodations that are unsignalized intersection crossings or midblock crossings with a median refuge, this is the maximum number of lanes crossed in one direction (e.g., a roadway with two lanes one direction and three lanes in the other direction would have an adjacent roadway lane value of 3)

²Use this column when ADT is unavailable

14.2.2.2 Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress (BLTS)