Design Matrix

ToolkitTradeoffs for

Complete Streets

Mike Rutkowski P.E., AICP

NCSC/Stantec

COMPLETE

STREETS

“Automobiles need quantity and

pedestrians need quality.”

-

Dan Burden

3

Courtesy of Local Government Commission

Courtesy of Local Government Commission

7

The tide has turned towards valuing cities and

compact, walkable places

Safe. Comfortable. Convenient.

What are Complete Streets?

10

You ready to vote?

Cell Phone App

1. Go to Internet

2. TTPoll.com

3. Enter Session ID: Safe23

4. Join session

A. Automated vehicle

technology

B. Shifts to walkable areas and

lifestyles

C. The needs of an aging

population

D. Ride-sharing / Peer-to-Peer car

sharing

E. Smaller role of State funding

F. Something else…

QUESTION-which big trend has the most impact on Your Community’s transportation future?

Question - what’s your biggest transportation issue for your region?

A. Hard to get around on foot

or by bike

B. Transit options

C. Pedestrian Safety

D. Intersection design &

signals

E. Infrastructure not aligned

with growth

F. For our size and pace of

growth, we’re doing well –

keep it up!

Benefits: HealthStates with the

lowest levels of

biking and

walking have, on

average, the

highest rates of

obesity, diabetes,

and high blood

pressure.

15

What is the percentage of Americans that are Obese?

A. 0%

B. 12%

C. 21%

D. 40%

E. 49%

How much did the feds (DOT) spend on transportation last year (2019)?

A. $1 trillion

B. $80 billion

C. $150 billion

D. $500 billion

E. I can’t count that high.

2.1%of federal transportation dollars go to biking and walking infrastructure, but 11% of trips and 14% of fatalities occur within those modes of travel.

18

What is the State of Florida’s rank in the Nation for ped/bike fatalities?

A. 10

B. 24

C. 9

D. 1

E. 51

Complete StreetsDesign Matrix Toolkit

A few good examples

Complete Streets:

✓ Define Success

✓ Prioritize Modes

✓ Define Design Features/Limitations

✓ Make Tradeoffs

✓ Design in detail

“It’s a process, not a product” - MMR

✓ Measure Success

Area Context

Area Context

How does it all work together?

Lighting

Not just lightingThere’s more to lighting than you think.

Pattern, illumination source,

and placement make a big

difference in the result.

Not Just lightingBut there’s more to lighting than you think.

Pattern, illumination source,

and placement make a big

difference in the result.

SEC

UR

ITY

Not just lightingThere’s more to lighting than you think.

Pattern, illumination source,

and placement make a big

difference in the result.

Case Study #1:

What would you do?

Traffic-Traffic-Traffic! – Aiken SC

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▪ 18,000 – 25,000 vpd

▪ 85th percentile speed = 49 mph

▪ Six (6) different cross sections in 10 miles

▪ Connects historic urban center

(Aiken), large retail area, rural

area, and New Ellenton▪ Over 2,000 crashes in 6-years

▪ High priority transit and access

to retail/employment centers

How would you improve this suburban road?A. Road Diet (3 lanes) w/ bike lanes,

parking and wide sidewalks

B. Consistent 5 lane section w/ suicide

lane & speed humps

C. Repurpose laneage to 4 lane

Divided with sidepath and ped

lighting

D. Widen to 6-lane divided with

protected cycle track and sidewalks

E. Do Nothing

Corridor Cross Section

Corridor Transition

Intersection Treatments

Major

Intersections

Minor Cross

Streets

34

Source: Alta

Crossing Treatment Design Matrix

Case Study #2:

What would you do?

ORLANDO

Edgewater Drive: Before

Edgewater Drive, Orl.▪ 17,000 vpd

▪ Moderate parking demand

▪ Major crosstown boulevard▪ Commercial/residential

▪ Downtown to HS▪ 30 MPH spd limit

How would you improve this road?

A. Keep as a 4-Lane w bike lanes, sidewalks,

remove parking

B. Convert to 3-Lane section w/ suicide

lane, bike lanes, sidewalks and parking

C. Convert to 2-Lane Divided with bike

lanes, sidewalks and stormwater BMPs

D. Do Nothing

ORLANDO

Edgewater Drive: After

Urban Context

Urban Context

Changing the pattern of disinvestment…

Signage

Blank Walls

Build-to Line

Poor

Street-

scape

…into public and private investment

Nothing Like a Good ExampleEvery Complete Street is a Retrofit

Rural Crossing

Before

How would you fix

it?

How would you improve this intersection?

A. Widen out with turn lanes and install a

light

B. Install a crosswalk w/ pedestrian refuge,

Rapid Flashing Beacon & lighting

C. Install 4-way stop signs with stop bars

and warning flashers

D. Do Nothing

Rural Crossing

After

RRFB was chosen based on speed, volume and roadway width

Prentiss Street

Before

How would you fix

it?

▪ 2,000 vpd

▪ Moderate parking demand

▪ 26 foot lanes▪ Residential

▪ 40 foot median▪ 25 MPH spd limit

How would you improve this road?A. Repurpose Wide Lane into 4-lane

Divided and install a sidewalks

B. Narrow laneage w/ wide (20 feet)

sidewalks

C. Convert to one-way to allow cars and

people to travel faster

D. Install protected Bike Lane with

stormwater BMPs and meandering

sidepath in median

E. Something else…

Prentiss Street

After

How would you fix

it?

They drive fast,

ignoring pedestrians

Effect of large radius on Drivers

Before

Anderson Memorial Bridge, Cambridge / Boston

Before After

Source: Google Maps

FAST TURNS

EXISTING CROSSWALK

How would you fix

it?Effect of

large radius on Drivers

Before

Anderson Memorial Bridge, Cambridge / Boston

Before After

Source: Google Maps

EXISTING SIDEWALK

UTILITY POLE

EXISTING ISLAND

EXISTING CROSSWALK

MAINTAIN EXISTING SIDEWALK

ADD LANDSCAPED AREA

RELOCATE CROSSWALK

REMOVE EXISTING ISLAND

Tighten Corner Curb Radii

Design in Detail

Final Thoughts…

Design Matrix Toolbox

▪ It’s a process, not a product

▪ Context Defined

▪ Prioritize modes

▪ There’s always tradeoffs

▪ Intersection Design Exceptions

▪ Available Design Guidelines

▪ Measure your success!

Thank You!http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets

Contact:Mike Rutkowski, P.E., AICP

Mike.rutkowski@stantec.com

919.277.3106