Complete Streets Training Module 4b – Designing for All Users

 Video of Greenwich St, NYC 2

Typical problems for the users  Emphasis on driving as the default travel mode. 3

Typical problems for the users  Lack of a safe and comfortable walking or bicycling network. 4

Typical problems for the users  Transportation system and its ease of use affects mode choice; comfort and safety; and decisions on where to live, work, locate a business. 5

How do you know what user needs are?  Public input is key  Changing ways to communicate or do public outreach People don’t know meeting schedules Find out after the fact Should not have to rely on advocates as proxies for good communication 6

How do you know what user needs are?  Existing/adopted plans –Many ped/bike plans have been funded by NCDOT: –Have used the public process to ID needs and opportunities 7

How do you know what user needs are?  Crash data –Often associated with “exposure”—can predict travel demand –Can identify “hot spots” of concern –Ped/bike crash data is readily available from NCDOT: /pbcat/index.cfm 8

How do you know what user needs are?  Inventory data –Such as: sidewalks, trails, bike lanes, transit stops/routes, etc –Availability may vary by municipality –Useful for identifying gaps in the system 9

How do you know what user needs are?  Walk, bike, and transit audits –Wide range of tools –Involve the public –Field exercise 10

Case Study West Jefferson Streetscape

West Jefferson Streetscape  Timeline –2003: Design Charrette by NC State –2010: NCDOT announces resurfacing –2010: Pedestrian plan through NCDOT program –2011: Town meets with DOT about streetscaping –2011: Town works with Blue Ridge Electric to remove overhead utilities – : Streetscape completed 12

West Jefferson Streetscape  Appalachian District Health Department awarded $30,000 to the Town for design of the intersections. The Town paid for pavers, streetlights and landscaping 13

West Jefferson Streetscape  Before 14

West Jefferson Streetscape  Before 15

West Jefferson Streetscape  Before 16

West Jefferson Streetscape  Plans 17

West Jefferson Streetscape  Plans 18

West Jefferson Streetscape  During 19

West Jefferson Streetscape  After 20

West Jefferson Streetscape  After 21

West Jefferson Streetscape  After 22

Quality of Service

Street design quality considerations  Street design affects functionality and comfort for each mode  Complete streets Balances QOS for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, with motorist LOS Emphasize connectivity Complete networks  Tradeoffs 24

Elements of pedestrian QOS  Safety of the pedestrian and separation from high speed traffic is of the utmost importance –The goal is to have a continuous pedestrian network in any environment  Complete streets need to provide for a range of passive and active uses including, but not limited to walking, waiting for transit, and crossing the street. 25

Elements of pedestrian QOS  Elements that improve pedestrian QOS include: 26

Elements of pedestrian QOS  Elements that improve pedestrian QOS include: –Sidewalks –Buffers –Safe crossings (intersections and midblock) –Curb extensions –Signage –Paths –Shoulders –Lighting –ADA accommodations –Landscaping & furniture –Utility placement 27

Elements of pedestrian QOS  Video of blind pedestrian navigating an intersection corner 28

Elements of bicycle QOS  Varies based on context –Land uses –Traffic speeds –Traffic volumes –Directness of routes –Travel lanes 29

Elements of bicycle QOS  Elements that improve bicycle QOS include: 30

Elements of bicycle QOS  Elements that improve bicycle QOS include: –Bicycle lanes –Shared lane markings –Separation from traffic –Signage –Paved shoulders –Intersection treatments 31

Elements of transit QOS  Elements that improve transit QOS include: 32

Elements of transit QOS  Elements that improve transit QOS include: –Transit service (frequency & reliability) –Transit design (lanes, preemption, stop placement) –Stop features (shelters & seating) –Pedestrian and bicycle safe access (xings, sidewalks) –Schedules & routes –Lighting –Signage 33

Balancing act Typical existing conditions with far side stops on one road 34

Balancing act Add a median refuge and reduce corner radii and install two curb ramps each corner 35

Balancing act Add leading pedestrian interval, install bus shelter, lights and trash can 36

Balancing act Add bike lanes on roadway 37

Stakeholder Responsibilities and Interests Responsibility for ROW Users of ROWAdjacent property owners Non-motorized People of all ages and abilities Pedestrians Bicyclists Motorized Motorists (private vehicle) Truck drivers Transit agencies Both Transit riders 38 State DOT Local DOT State DOT Local DOT Public land Residences Commercial Offices Industrial Public land Residences Commercial Offices Industrial

Take away messages  Complete streets balance user needs across multiple modes  Quality is in the eye of the user –Individual user needs are unique  Trade off analysis includes a thorough understanding of the interactions between modes  It is critical to document the process used to arrive at a solution 39

Case Study Wilmington: Market Street & Princess Place Drive

Case study: Wilmington  Pop. 106,000 41

Issues  Deficiencies for all users on Market Street –Congestion –Lack of bicycle facilities –Lack of sidewalks –Unsheltered bus stops 42

 Poor pavement condition on nearby Princess Place Drive  Unsafe conditions for motorists and pedestrians Issues 43 Before: Princess Place Drive

Strategies & Solutions 44  Multimodal strategies incorporated into Market Street Corridor Study (2010): Public transportation

Strategies & Solutions 45  Multimodal strategies incorporated into Market Street Corridor Study (2010): Bicycles and pedestrians

Strategies & Solutions  Princess Place Drive Improvements –Addition of bike lanes  Access management along Market Street –NCDOT TIP project U