1. Fundamental Methods for Building More Walkable Communities Mark Fenton Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center University of North Carolina

2. Pedestrian conditions in America lead to less and less walking...

4. US Walking Trips 1977-1995 National Personal Transportation Survey, USDOT

5. US Auto Trips 1977-1995 National Personal Transportation Survey, USDOT

6. But not everyone can drive everywhere.

7. We must build the simplified elements of walkable communities. Networks of pedestrian pathways. Land use to provide ample destinations. Safety from traffic and crime. Site designs that welcome pedestrians. Civic commitment to more walking, from private citizens to elected officials.

8. So what are the remedies to all of this?

9. A network remedy: Build sidewalks. Sidewalks on every street. 5 ft. min. up to 12 ft.+ in urban, high use areas. Separate from roads.

10. A network remedy: Multi-use trails. Certainly long distance, recreational trails (e.g., Erie Canal Towpath). But especially local, utilitarian trails.

11. Erie Canal Towpath Trail: Stimulating local development across upstate NY.

12. Way- finding by time. Concentric circles are 5, 10, and 20 minute walks.

13. No car trip required for this ride on a local trail.

14. The hole in the fence shows latent demand for a local pedestrian pathway!

15. A network remedy: Bike-lanes. 5 ft., wider if along a hard barrier or parked cars.

16. A network remedy: Improved crossings. Shortening the distance, breaking up the task (crossing islands), improving signal timing, removing right-on-red, placing special controls.

18. Curb extensions.

19. Median, or crossing islands.

21. Note pedestrian countdown timer...

22. A land use remedy: smart zoning. Mixed use: retail, residential, commercial, schools together. Maximum setbacks.

24. Even fast food can fit into a walkable setting.

25. People want to shop here...

26. And they want to visit here...

27. A Safety Remedy: Traffic Calming Vertical. Horizontal. Width. Controls.

28. Traffic calming (cont’d) Vertical engineering: speed bumps, humps, and tables.

30. Traffic calming (cont’d) Horizontal engineering: curvature, chicanes, bulb-outs, medians, circles.

31. Neighborhood mini-circles (round-abouts) replace 4-way stops. Slow traffic, maintain flow on residential streets.

32. The ultimate chicanes; San Francisco, CA.

33. Narrower corridors, real and perceived, slow traffic. (frictional effect) Traffic calming (cont’d)

34. Road Diets: Reduce 4 lanes...

35. ... to 2 lanes plus a median or turning lane, leaving room for bike lanes and wider sidewalks.

37. Site design fundamentals: Where would you sit and eat outdoors?

38. Site design fundamentals: Where would you likely shop on foot?

39. Site solutions: Buildings near the street (maximum setbacks). Preclude storefront parking; put it on street or behind buildings.

40. Site solution: diagonal parking.

41. Best Practice Knowledge: Pedestrian Facilities Users Guide www.walkinginfo.org Bicycle Lane Design Guide www.bicyclinginfo.org

42. Are you ready to... ?