Designing INSIDE the Box Using the ITE/CNU Walkable Urban Thoroughfares Manual to Build Complete Streets National Association of Regional Councils Raleigh, NC June 8, 2015 G. Wade Walker, P.E. Principal / Complete Streets Regional Leader Alta Engineering Southeast LLC / Alta Planning + Design Davidson, North Carolina
We ve known how to build great streets
What Happened??? Cartoon courtesy of Walter Kulash
Conventional Transportation Philosophy Capacity Operational Efficiency Vehicular LOS Minimize Vehicular Delay
Ideal Traffic Planning Widen 20-Year Forecast Capacity Years Slide courtesy of Walter Kulash
The Reality Widen Actual Induced Traffic Forecast Capacity Years Slide courtesy of Walter Kulash
Road Size, Not Congestion is the Choice Widen Congestion Widen Congestion Traffic Congestion Capacity Years Slide courtesy of Walter Kulash
Trying to cure traffic congestion with more capacity is like trying to cure obesity by loosening your belt - Glen Heimstra, Futurist
Sometimes Prohibited Items Speeds Lower Than 45 mph Narrow Lanes Two Lane Roads On Street Parking Street Trees/Furniture Crosswalks/Sidewalks
The Size and Character of Road Influences the Quality of Urban Environment Photo courtesy of Rick Hall, Hall Planning & Engineering
Pedestrians in conventional suburban development
Livability and balance Complete Streets Combine land use and transportation improvements Full range of seamless multi-modal opportunities transit, pedestrian, bicycle, and roadway networks Context sensitive solutions utilize inherent flexibility in design Collaborative, interdisciplinary, and community-led design Holistic Transportation Strategy
A New Transportation Philosophy Livability and Balance Context Sensitive Design & Solutions Land Use & Transportation Relation Smart Growth Consistency Collaboration WHAT S HIDING BEHIND THE CURBS?
The intent of this policy is to provide guidance to the designer by referencing a recommended range of values for critical dimensions. Good highway design involves balancing safety, mobility, and preservation of scenic, aesthetic, historic, cultural, and environmental resources. This policy is therefore not intended to be a detailed design manual that could supersede the need for the application of sound principles by the knowledgeable design professional. Sufficient flexibility is permitted to encourage independent designs tailored to particular situations. Minimum values are either given or implied by the lower value in a given range of values. The larger values within the ranges may be used where social, economic, and environmental impacts are not critical. Engineering judgment is exercised by highway agencies to select appropriate design values. From the Forward to the AASHTO Green Book
These geometric design are intended to provide operation efficiency, comfort, safety, and convenience for the motorist. The design concepts presented herein were also developed with consideration for environmental quality. The effects of the various environmental impacts can and should be mitigated by thoughtful design processes. This principle, coupled with that of aesthetic consistency with the surrounding terrain and urban setting, is intended to produce highways that are safe and efficient for users, acceptable to non-users, and in harmony with the environment. From the Forward to the AASHTO Green Book
Image Courtesy CDOT Complete, Walkable Streets
And Complete Streets are important because?
So engineers and urbanists got together Encouraged: 25 mph Speeds Narrow Lanes (10 ) Bike & Ped Facilities On Street Parking Street Trees/Furniture Context Sensitivity
Complete Streets Toolbox for Urban Thoroughfares This? Target Speed vs. Design Speed Access Management/Connectivity On Street Parking Bicycle Facilities Or this? Midblock Pedestrian Crossings Medians Green Infrastructure Elements Placemaking Elements
Balancing the Expectations Small Impacts Motorist Travel Time Large Gains Overall Street Livability
Riverfront Parkway Chattanooga (pre-1995)
Riverfront Parkway Today
Relationship between Speed and Safety 25-30 mph Source: On a Collision Course? Smart Growth & Traffic Safety (Charlier, Garrick, Dumbaugh 2011)
30 mph 25 mph 20 mph 15 mph
Network and Capacity 6 4 4 6 Same Total Lanes More Capacity VMT Turns Clearance Time Signal Phase 2 2 2 2 2 Imagery Courtesy of Walter Kulash
Consolidate Access Points Shared Driveways Cross Access Easements Access Roads
Imagery Courtesy of Walter Kulash Trip Assignments in Two Patterns of Development
Place-making Elements Image by Bethany Hughes, Fuss & O Neill
Complete Streets Planning and Design Guidelines (NCDOT, July 2012 Urban Multiway Boulevard
SR 434 Winter Springs, FL
Think of the Space between Buildings as an Asset Parking Parallel Angled (head in/back in) Bicycle Wider Sidewalks Street Furniture Streetscape Stormwater Rain Gardens Bioswales Bike Facilities Bike lanes Cycle Tracks Multi-use Paths Medians Turn lanes Planting opportunities Access Management Photo by Dan Gallagher, Charlotte DOT
Images of Alexandria VA courtesy of Code Studio Put it all together = Great Streets
And because engineers can t have enough guidance
America... conceived many odd inventions for getting somewhere, but could think of nothing to do when they got there Will Rogers, 1936