Road Diets Jennifer A. Rosales, P.E. Senior Professional Associate Supervising Transportation...
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Transcript of Road Diets Jennifer A. Rosales, P.E. Senior Professional Associate Supervising Transportation...
Road Diets
Jennifer A. Rosales, P.E.Senior Professional Associate
Supervising Transportation Engineer
Presentation to ACEC/ODOT
April 15, 2008
Overview
• What is a “Road Diet”
• Road Diet Handbook
– Case Studies
– Feasibility Factors
– Design Guidelines
Road Diet Concept
• Lane Reduction
• Four-to-two lane conversion
• Benefits to all modes of
transportation
– Improved mobility and access
– Improved livability and quality of life
– Economic and community goals
Photo simulation by Todd Boulanger, COV
Road Diet Concept
Safety benefits– Reduced vehicle
speeds– Reduced conflict
points– Improved sight
distance
- Improved pedestrian & bike safety
Graphics by PB
Road Diet Concept
• Minimal effect on capacity
• ADT thresholds
• Traffic diversion 2-15
percentPhoto by James Hencke, PB
Road Diet Concept
• Simple as re-striping
• Cost-effective
• Optional enhancements
• Enhances environment
Photo by GB Arrington, PB
Photo by James Hencke, PB
Road Diet Concept
Other Road Diet Examples– One-way streets– Three to two
lanes– Six to five lanes
Road Diet Handbook: Setting Trends by Livable Streets
Foreword
Acknowledgments
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Previous Studies
3.0 Case Studies
4.0 Road Diet Guidelines
Appendices
References
Graphic Courtesy of PB
PB’s commitment to Sustainability
Road Diet Case Studies
• Vancouver, Washington
• Clear Lake, Iowa
• Athens, Georgia
• Toronto, Canada
• Dunedin, New Zealand
Graphic Courtesy of PB
Livability Survey
• Purpose – examine livability impacts
• Survey modeled from Livable Streets– Street perceptions including traffic, safety,
comfort
– Street life activities
– Reactions
• Survey medium varied
Photo by GB Arrington, PB
Road Diet Case Studies
Fourth Plain Boulevard in Vancouver, Washington
– Arterial ~ 17,000 ADT
– Re-striping project in 2002
– Bike lanes
– ADA ramps & utilities
– Improved safety, mobility and
access for all users
Photo credits: Todd Boulanger, COV
BeforeBefore
AfterAfter
Road Diet Case StudiesFourth Plain Boulevard in Vancouver,
Washington– Crashes 52 %
– Traffic speeds 18 %
– No traffic diversion
– Pedestrian & bike benefits
– Redevelopment and renovations
– Measured economic growth
– Easier to cross street
– Street “feels” safer
– 67% Yes, 21% Maybe, 12% NoPhoto credits: Todd Boulanger, COV
BeforeBefore
AfterAfter
Road Diet Case Studies
Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia– Arterial ~ ADT 20,000– Safety Demonstration Project
in 1999– Re-striping– Bike lanes– Transit corridor
Photo credits: David Clark, Athens-Clarke County, GA
AfterAfter
BeforeBefore
Road Diet Case Studies
Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia– Overall crashes 53 % and at
unsignalized locations 60%
– Traffic Diversion ~ 4%
– Easier to cross street
– Slower speeds
– Home and business improvements
– Perceived number of lanes and street width is "just right"
– 47% Yes, 33% Maybe, 20% NoPhoto credits: David Clark, Athens-Clarke County, GA
AfterAfter
BeforeBefore
Road Diet Case Studies
Kaikorai Valley Road in Dunedin, New Zealand
– Arterial ~ 10,000 ADT
– 2003 conversion
– 4 to 2 lanes with CTL/median
– Cycle lanes and landscaping
– Exist Parking
– Project length ~ 2.4 km (1.5 mi)
Photo credits: Ron Minnema, Traffic Engineer, Dunedin City Council
Road Diet Case Studies
Kaikorai Valley Road, Dunedin, NZ
Road Diet Case Studies
Kaikorai Valley Road in Dunedin, New Zealand
– Crashes 30 %
– Pedestrians and bicyclists
– No traffic diversion
– Perceived # of lanes and street width "just right"
– Home and business improvements
– 42% Yes, 31% Maybe, 27% No
Photo credits: Ron Minnema, Traffic Engineer, Dunedin City Council
Road Diet Case Studies
US 18 in Clear Lake, Iowa– State Highway ~ 12,000 ADT
– Re-striping project in 2003
– 4 to 2 lanes with TWLTL
– Extra width – shoulders
– Highway through town
Photos by Jennifer Rosales, PB
Road Diet Case Studies
US 18 in Clear Lake, Iowa– Crashes 65 %
– Aggressive speeding 52%
– Adequate traffic operation & good mobility
– Mixed perceptions - striping confusing
– Livability benefits still to be realized
Photos by Jennifer Rosales, PB
Road Diet Case Studies
St. George Street in Toronto, Canada– Minor Arterial ~ ADT 7,500
– Through University campus
– Two project phases ’93 & ‘96
– Cycle lanes, on-street parking, wider sidewalks, urban landscaping
– Alternate paving materials
Photos by Jennifer Rosales, PB
Road Diet Case Studies
Road Diet Case StudiesSt. George Street in Toronto,
Canada– Crashes 40 %
– Pedestrians and bicycles
– No traffic diversion
– Easier to cross street
– Perceived slower speeds, "feels safer,” perceived increase in pedestrians and bicyclists
– 81% Yes, 12% Maybe, 6% No
Photos by Jennifer Rosales, PB
Road Diet Example – Tacoma Street, Portland
• Curb Extensions• Refuge Islands
• ADT 30,000• 4 lanes to 2 lanes
with center turn lane• On-street parking
• Traffic Diversion – minimal
• Peak hour traffic- spread
• Overall Traffic
• Speeding Decreased
• Increased parking
• Improved pedestrian environment
BeforeBefore
AfterAfter
Road Diet Example – Tacoma Street, Portland
Road Diet Handbook: Setting Trends by Livable Streets
Foreword
Acknowledgments
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Previous Studies
3.0 Case Studies
4.0 Road Diet Guidelines
Appendices
References
Graphic Courtesy of PB
Road Diet Guidelines – Identification and Evaluation
• Feasibility Factors– Roadway Function and
Environment
– Overall Traffic Volume and Level of Service
– Turning Volumes and Patterns
– Frequent-Stop and Slow-Moving Vehicles (Agriculture, Buses, Buggies)
Reference: Knapp, Keith and K. Giese, Guidelines for the Conversion of Urban Four-Lane Undivided Roadways to Three-Lane Two-Way Left-Turn Lane Facilities Final Report, Iowa State University, April 2001.
Road Diet Guidelines – Identification and Evaluation
• Feasibility Factors, cont.– Weaving, Speed, and
Queues – Crash Types and Patterns– Pedestrian and Bicycle
Activity – Right-of-Way Availability,
Cost, and Acquisition Impacts
– Presence of Parallel Routes – Other Contextual
Considerations Reference: Knapp, Keith and K. Giese, Guidelines for the Conversion of Urban Four-Lane Undivided Roadways to Three-Lane Two-Way Left-Turn Lane Facilities Final Report, Iowa State University, April 2001.
Design Guidelines and Concepts
• Traveled Way• Suggested Left-Turn
Treatments• Transitions• Bicycle Facilities• On-Street Parking • Pedestrian Realm
Graphic Reference: MUTCD, Federal Highway Administration, 2003.
Typical Road Diet Cross-Sections
Graphics Courtesy of PB
Traffic Calming and Roundabout Options
• Pavement texturing/coloring• Curb extensions• Medians• Landscaping• Street trees• Narrow streets• On-street parking• Chicanes• Chokers• Raised crosswalks• Raised intersections• Diagonal diverters• Selective enforcement
Photo by Jennifer Rosales, PB
Green Street Options/Enhancements
• Street Trees
• Reduced Imperviousness
• Permeating or Eliminating Curb and Gutter
• Vegetative Filter Strips
• Swales
• Linear Detention Basin
• Infiltration Trench
• Infiltration Basin
• Solar
Photos by Jennifer Rosales, PB
• Pavement reconstruction project or jurisdictional transfer
• Other supporting conditions such as parallel route
• Consider community requests• Tech evaluation and
community involvement – keys to success
• Pilot project study• With other corridor
improvements• With concurrent pavement
overlay projects.
Planning
Implementing
• Public Education• Manage community
expectations• Consider focus groups,
workshops, open houses• Consider traffic calming• Consider “greening”• Include access management
strategies• Address key intersection
operations• Repair sidewalks and ramps• Police enforcement
Road Diets - Summary
• Meet transportation need
• Safety benefits
• Livability Benefits
• Asset to the community
• Compatible with the environment
• Cost-effective
• “Better than Before”