Minnesota Administrative Rules

8810.6000 DEFINITIONS.

Subpart 1.

Scope.

For purposes of these rules and the implementation thereof, the following terms shall have the meanings here given them.

Subp. 2.

Average bicycle traffic volume.

"Average bicycle traffic volume" means the amount of bicycle traffic passing a given point on an average daily basis computed over 180 days during the months of April through September.

Subp. 3.

Average daily traffic.

"Average daily traffic" means the total volume of traffic during a specified but arbitrary time period given in whole days (24 hours), greater than one day, but less than one year, divided by the number of days in the time period; abbreviated ADT.

Subp. 4.

Bicycle.

"Bicycle" means a device propelled by human power upon which a person or persons may ride, having two tandem wheels either of which is over 16 inches in diameter, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or rear wheels.

Subp. 5.

Bicycle lane.

"Bicycle lane" means a portion of a roadway designed for preferential use by persons using bicycles. Bicycle lanes may be designed with or without physical barriers to separate or channel bicycle traffic from motor vehicles or pedestrian traffic.

Subp. 6.

Bicycle lane with barrier.

"Bicycle lane with barrier" means a portion of a roadway which has been designated for preferential or exclusive use by bicycles, separated from but a part of that portion of the roadway designed for motor vehicle traffic by a physical barrier such as a curb or a guardrail.

Subp. 7.

Bicycle lane without barrier.

"Bicycle lane without barrier" means a portion of a roadway which has been designated for preferential use by bicycles through pavement markings or other traffic control measures.

Subp. 8.

Bicycle path.

"Bicycle path" means a bicycle facility designed for exclusive use by persons using bicycles and constructed or developed separately from the roadway.

Subp. 9.

Bicycle route.

"Bicycle route" means a roadway signed to encourage bicycle use when no preferential lane is provided. Signing shall be in accordance with the Minnesota Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Such signing also indicates that safety precautions must be taken by all forms of traffic.

Subp. 10.

Clearway.

"Clearway" is a clear recovery area extending 30 feet outward from the edge of the outside through lane of the roadway where all physical obstacles to out-of-control motor vehicles are eliminated.

Subp. 11.

Controlled access highway.

"Controlled access highway" means every highway, street, or roadway in respect to which the right of access of the owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons has been acquired and to which the owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the same except at such points only and in such manner as may be determined by the public authority having jurisdiction over such highway, street, or roadway.

Subp. 12.

Department.

Unless stated otherwise, "department" means the Department of Transportation of this state. Regardless of the department referred to, however, it is to be considered as acting directly or through its duly authorized officers and agents.

Subp. 13.

Driver.

"Driver" means every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle, or other device upon which a person or property may be transported.

Subp. 14.

Intersection.

"Intersection" means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two highways which join one another, at, or approximately at, right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict. Where a highway includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of each roadway of such divided highway by an intersecting highway shall be regarded as a separate intersection. In the event such intersecting highway also includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of two roadways of such highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection.

Subp. 15.

One-way roadway.

"One-way roadway" means a street or roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic and on which all vehicles are required to move in one indicated direction.

Subp. 16.

Pedestrian walkway; sidewalk.

"Pedestrian walkway" means that portion of the street or highway between curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians. An alternate term that may be used is "sidewalk," as defined in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 169. For purposes of these rules a pedestrian walkway may be construed to be a bicycle or recreational vehicle lane but is controlled as to the forms of traffic it may carry other than pedestrians.

Subp. 17.

Recreational vehicle.

"Recreational vehicle" means a special purpose mobile and motive equipment or device not qualifying under the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 168 for the purposes of taxation in the state of Minnesota, and includes but is not limited to all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and snowmobiles.

Subp. 18.

Recreational vehicle lane.

"Recreational vehicle lane" means that portion of a street or highway or road or way outside of the roadway, improved, designed, or ordinarily used for recreational vehicular travel by the public and placed and maintained by state or local authorities in their respective jurisdictions.

Subp. 19.

Roadway.

"Roadway" means that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for motor vehicular travel. In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways the term "roadway" as used herein shall refer to any such roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively.

Subp. 20.

Rural section.

"Rural section" is a highway design that has wide rights-of-way, open ditches for drainage, and a clearway of 30 feet from the edge of the outside lane.

Subp. 21.

Shoulder.

"Shoulder" means that part of the roadway which is contiguous to the regularly traveled portion of the roadway and is on the same level as the roadway. The shoulder may be pavement, gravel, or earth.

Subp. 22.

Sidewalk.

"Sidewalk" means that portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians.

Subp. 23.

Street or highway.

"Street or highway" means the entire width between the boundary lines of any way or place when any part thereof is open to the use of the public, as a matter of right, for the purposes of vehicular traffic.

Subp. 24.

Through highway.

"Through highway" means every highway or portion thereof at the entrances to which vehicular traffic from intersecting highways is required by law to stop before entering or crossing the same and when stop signs are erected.

Subp. 25.

Urban district.

"Urban district" means the territory contiguous to and including any street which is built up with structures devoted to business, industry, or dwelling houses situated at intervals of less than 100 feet for a distance of a quarter of a mile or more.

Subp. 26.

Urban section.

"Urban section" means a roadway design used in urban districts where the right-of-way width is restricted. Because of the restricted right-of-way, there is not enough room for ditches, thus necessitating curbs and gutters.

Subp. 27.

Vehicle.

"Vehicle" means a bicycle or recreational vehicle.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 160.262

Published Electronically:

August 6, 2012