Highway School, Ithaca NY - Cornell Local Roads Program · Highway School, Ithaca NY June 1, 2009...

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Highway School, Ithaca NYJune 1, 2009

Michael RonkinDesigning Streets for Pedestrians and Bicyclists

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We know how to build right

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Yet many roads are built like this

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What is a Complete Street?

A Complete Street is safe, comfortable & convenient for travel via automobile, foot, bicycle, & transit

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What is a Complete Streets policy?Ensures that the entire right-of-way is designed for all users

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What is a Complete Streets policy?Ensures that the entire right-of-way is designed for all users

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Complete streets policies provide for:PedestriansBicyclistsTransitMotoristsTravelers of all ages and abilities

US Access BoardUS Access Board

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Why have a complete streets policy?To gradually create a complete network ofroads that serve all users

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Why have a complete streets policy?To shift transportationinvestments so they create better streets now

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Why have a complete streets policy?To save money:

Retrofits cost more than getting it right initially

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Who wants Complete Streets?Most Americans would rather drive less & walk moreTransit is growing faster than population or drivingAbout one-third of Americans don’t drive:

21% of Americans over 65Children under 16Low income Americans can’t afford to drive

Americans want complete streets

From Active Transportation for America: the case for Increased federal investment in bicycling and walking. RTC 2008 16

Roads 37%Public Trans 41%Bike/walk 22%

Roads 79%Public Trans 20%Bike/walk 1%

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Why have a complete streets policy?To make the needs of To make the needs of all users the all users the defaultdefault forforeverydayeveryday transportationtransportationplanning practicesplanning practices

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Everyone wins with Complete Streets

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Benefits: older Americans21% over 65 do not driveOver 50% of non-drivers stayat home on a given day because they lack travel options54% of older Americans living in inhospitable neighborhoods say they’d walk and ride more often if things improved

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Now Americans move Now Americans move without movingwithout moving60% are at risk for 60% are at risk for diseasesdiseases associatedassociatedwithwith inactivityinactivity::

ObesityObesityDiabetesDiabetesHigh blood pressureHigh blood pressureOther chronic diseasesOther chronic diseases

Benefits: health

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Benefits: physical activityResidents more likely to walk in a Residents more likely to walk in a neighborhood w/ neighborhood w/ sidewalkssidewalksCities with more Cities with more bike lanesbike lanes havehavehigher levels of bicyclinghigher levels of bicycling1/3 of regular 1/3 of regular transit userstransit users meetmeetminimum daily physical activityminimum daily physical activityrequirement during their commuterequirement during their commute

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Benefits: physical activityIt makes a difference!It makes a difference!

Source: Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2008, 5, 795-814Walking, Cycling, and Obesity Rates in Europe, North America, and AustraliaDavid R. Bassett, Jr., John Pucher, Ralph Buehler, Dixie L. Thompson, and Scott E. Crouter

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Benefits: safety

Sidewalks reduce ped crash risk by 88%Intersections designed for peds can reduce crash risk by 28%

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Benefits: people with disabilities

Improved mobility for people with disabilities

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Benefits: better use of transit funds

A year of paratransit service for a daily commuter: $38,500

Making a transit stop accessible:$7,000-$58,000

Source: Maryland Transit Administration

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Benefits: the environment

Fewer emissionsLess noise pollutionLess noise pollutionLess wear & tear on Less wear & tear on our roadsour roadsLess need to widen Less need to widen roadsroads

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Benefits: reduced traffic

Trips in metro areas:50% - less than 3 miles28% - less than 1 mile:

65% of trips under 1 mile are now taken by car

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Benefits: the economy/your wallet Benefits: the economy/your wallet

Multi-modal streets:Increase home valuesRevitalize retailPeople can leavetheir car at home

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How do Complete Streets change the How do Complete Streets change the built environment?built environment?

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CS changes intersection design

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CS changes intersection design

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CS changes bicycling

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CS changes bicycling

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CS changes transit

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CS changes transit

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CS changes accessibility

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CS changes accessibility

Complete streets and trails

Streets provide Streets provide accessaccess tototrailstrailsComplete streets and Complete streets and trails form a trails form a comprehensivecomprehensive nonnon--motorized networkmotorized networkCS take pressure off CS take pressure off overcrowdedovercrowded trailstrails

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Complete Streets is NOT:

A design prescriptionA mandate for immediate retrofitA silver bullet; other initiatives must beaddressed:

Land use (proximity, mixed-use)Environmental concernsVMT reduction

(but complete streets will help!)

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What each mode needsAll travelers seek a similar experience:All travelers seek a similar experience:

ConvenienceConvenienceSafetySafetyComfortComfortAccessAccessReasonable travel timeReasonable travel timeLow costLow costSpeed?Speed?

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What does a complete street look like?

One size doesnOne size doesn’’t fit all: t fit all: Complete Streets doesnComplete Streets doesn’’t mean t mean everyevery streetstreethas sidewalks, bike lanes and transithas sidewalks, bike lanes and transit

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What does a complete street look like?

There is no magic formulaThere is no magic formula

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The many types of Complete Streets

One crossing completes a Safe Route to SchoolOne crossing completes a Safe Route to School

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The many types of Complete Streets

Shoulder bikeways on rural roadsShoulder bikeways on rural roads

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The many types of Complete Streets

Transit routesTransit routes

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The many types of Complete Streets

Suburban thoroughfaresSuburban thoroughfares

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The many types of Complete Streets

Busy multiBusy multi--modal thoroughfaresmodal thoroughfares

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The many types of Complete Streets

Residential skinny streetsResidential skinny streets

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The many types of Complete Streets

Low traffic streetsLow traffic streets

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The many types of Complete Streets

Historic Main StreetHistoric Main Street

Complete Streets doesn’t mean wider streets…

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Complete Streets makes better use of the available width

53Bridgeport Way, University Place, Washington

Different goals => different outcomes

Both designs based on same design manuals

54Bridgeport Way, University Place, Washington

What can you do to further Complete Streets?

Pavement management: don’t leave a seam in the shoulder

55Bridgeport Way, University Place, Washington

What can you do to further Complete Streets?

Pavement management: clean up blade patch debris

56Bridgeport Way, University Place, Washington

What can you do to further Complete Streets?

Pavement management: pave the bike lane too

57Bridgeport Way, University Place, Washington

What can you do to further Complete Streets?

Pavement management: don’t chip seal the shoulder

58Bridgeport Way, University Place, Washington

What can you do to further Complete Streets?

Pavement management: bicyclists LOVE smooth pavement!

59Bridgeport Way, University Place, Washington

What can you do to further Complete Streets?

Signal technician: Find and mark bike “sweet spot”

60Bridgeport Way, University Place, Washington

What can you do to further Complete Streets?

Signal technician: place pushbutton where it can be reached

What can you do to further Complete Streets?What can you do to further Complete Streets?

Striping crews: narrow lanes to provide bike lanes Striping crews: narrow lanes to provide bike lanes

What can you do to further Complete Streets?What can you do to further Complete Streets?

Striping crews: narrow lanes to provide bike lanes Striping crews: narrow lanes to provide bike lanes

What can you do to further Complete Streets?What can you do to further Complete Streets?

Striping crews: place crosswalks out of wheel tracksStriping crews: place crosswalks out of wheel tracks

64Bridgeport Way, University Place, Washington

What can you do to further Complete Streets?

Utility specialist: watch where that hydrant goes!

65Bridgeport Way, University Place, Washington

What can you do to further Complete Streets?

Utility specialist: watch where that pole goes!

66Bridgeport Way, University Place, Washington

What can you do to further Complete Streets?

Utility specialist: keep that guy wire out of my face!

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Complete Streets Goal: wComplete Streets Goal: wise investments that will enhance the entire community

Come to this afternoonCome to this afternoon’’s sessions,s sessions, where wewhere we’’ll talk more about ll talk more about YOURYOUR role in creating role in creating

Complete Streets in NYComplete Streets in NY