Walkable Cities

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The Institute o Transportation Engineers is an international educational and scientifc association o transpor-tation proessionals who are responsible or meeting mobility and saety needs. ITE acilitates the application otechnology and scientifc principles to research, planning, unctional design, implementation, operation, policydevelopment and management or any mode o ground transportation. Through its products and services, ITEpromotes proessional development o its members, supports and encourages education, stimulates research,develops public awareness programs and serves as a conduit or the exchange o proessional inormation.

Founded in 1930, ITE is a community o transportation proessionals including, but not limited to transporta-tion engineers, transportation planners, consultants, educators and researchers. Through meetings, seminars,publications and a network o 17,000 members, working in more than 90 countries, ITE is your source orexpertise, knowledge and ideas.

Institute o Transportation Engineers1099 14th Street, NW, Suite 300 WestWashington, DC 200053438 USA

Telephone: +1 202-289-0222Fax: +1 202-289-7722

ITE on the Web: www.ite.org

Spns b:

Ns:This document is disseminated under the sponsorship o the Department o Transportation in the interest oinormation exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability or its contents or the use thereo. This reportdoes not constitute a standard, specifcation, or regulation. The U.S. Government and ITE do not endorseproducts or manuacturers. Trade and manuacturers names appear in this report only because they are consid-ered essential to the object o the document.

This project was partially unded by a cooperative agreement rom the Environmental Protection Agencys O-fce o Sustainable Communities.

Publication No. RP-036A 2010 Institute o Transportation Engineers. All rights reserved.

1000/GP/BH/0310

Printed in the United States of AmericaISBN-13: 978-1-933452-52-4

ISBN-10: 1-933452-52-8

Ofce o Inrastructure

Federal Highway Administration1200 New Jersey Ave., SEWashington, DC 20590

Ofce o Planning,

Environment and RealtyFederal Highway Administration1200 New Jersey Ave., SEWashington, DC 20590

Ofce o Sustainable Communities

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NWAriel Rios BuildingWashington, DC 20460


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iiiPreface and Acknowledgments

Preface and Acknowledgments

Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach, RP-036A was approved in 2010 as arecommended practice o the Institute o Transportation Engineers (ITE). It supersedes the proposed recom-mended practice, Context Sensitive Solutions in Designing Major Urban Thoroughfares for Walkable Communities,RP-036, dated March 2006. The comment period on the proposed recommended practice closed on December31, 2006. Comments on the proposed recommended practice have been incorporated into this document.

ITE wishes to thank the Federal Highway Administrations Ofce o Inrastructure, Ofce o Planning, En-vironment and Realty and the Environmental Protection Agencys Ofce o Sustainable Communities or f-nancially supporting this work eort and providing leadership and guidance in the development o this report.

This report was produced by ITE and the Congress or the New Urbanism (CNU) and is the result o severalyears o concerted eort by dedicated volunteers, including ITE members, CNU members and many otherinterested parties. ITE wishes to thank the members o each o the ollowing committees or their respectiveroles in the preparation o this repot.

The project management team played an essential role in the identifcation, development and refnement ocontent, including numerous detailed reviews throughout the development process. The members o the projectmanagement team were as ollows:

Brian S. Bochner (H), Texas Transportation InstitutePhilip J. Caruso (F), ITE

James M. Daisa (F), Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.Lisa M. Fontana Tierney (F), ITE

Lucinda E. Gibson (M), Smart Mobility Inc.John Norquist, CNU

Jon T. Obenberger (M), FHWAHarold E. Peaks, FHWA

Heather Smith, CNUJohn V. Thomas, EPANeel Vanikar, FHWA


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iv Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach

A multidisciplinary steering committee, including a policy and technical advisory committee, was responsibleor general project oversight. The policy advisory committee was responsible or providing overall vision anddirection, while the technical advisory committee provided guidance and review o technical content. Themembers o the policy and technical advisory committees were as ollows:

Poicy AdviSory committee TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Frances BanerjeeAndres Duany

Philip A. Erickson (M)R. Marshall Elizer Jr. (F)

Hal Kasso (M)Kenneth F. Kobetsky (M)

Tim Torma

Chester E. Chellman (F)Frederick C. Dock (F)Norman W. Garrick

Ellen GreenbergRichard A. Hall (F)Rodney W. Kelly (F)

John N. LaPlante (F)Marcy McInelly

Danny C. Pleasant (F)Peter Swit

Jerey Tumlin

This report was balloted and approved by a committee o individuals actively involved in the development othe report. The voting committee members included the ollowing:

R. Marshall Elizer Jr. (F)Norman W. GarrickRichard A. Hall (F)Rodney W. Kelly (F)

John N. LaPlante (F)Danny C. Pleasant (F)

Peter SwitJerey Tumlin

Endorsement or publication o this document as an ITE recommended practice was provided by a recom-mended practice review panel consisting o the ollowing individuals with an active interest and knowledge ocontext sensitive design. The ollowing individuals were members o the panel:

Raymond E. Davis III (F)Cesar J. Molina Jr. (M)

Brian L. RayDennis E. Royer (M)

Dean A. SchreiberNikioros Stamatiadis (F)


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vPreface and Acknowledgments

A consultant team, led by James M. Daisa and Brian S. Bochner, was responsible or creating and assemblingall technical content. These eorts included development o the reports organizational structure; identifcation,research and development o examples; and compilation, evaluation and incorporation o numerous commentsin concert with direction provided by the project management team. The consultants and their respective com-panies were as ollows:

KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES INC.

James M. Daisa (F), Co-Project Manager

Roger B. Henderson (F)John Martin

Bruce E. Friedman (F)Frederick W. Schwartz (F)

Andrew HowardAli MustaaToni Barela

Deborah K. Fehr (M)Patrick Ramos

Michelle M. OlmstedLuke J. Schwartz (M)Lynne B. Filson (F )Katherine Falk (M)

Je Smith

TEXAS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTEBrian S. Bochner (H), Co-Project Manager

Beverly J. Storey

COMMUNITY, DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE

Philip A. Erickson (M)

Thomas KronemeyerKendra Mitchell

Kyla Burson

Sam ZimbabweEvelyn ODonohue

CITY OF PASADENA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFrederick C. Dock (F)

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

Reid H. Ewing


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vi Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach

Additional technical reviewers and commentators of draft versions of this report included the following individuals:

Bruce AppleyardWilliam R. Balentine

Timothy S. Bochum (M)Scott Bradley

Robert H. Brakman (F)Bob Bryant

Dan E. BurdenPeter Calthorpe

Jeff CasterJoseph C. Chester

Payton ChungEdward H. Cole (M)

Vivian D. Coleman (M)Stephen J. Cote

Mike Davis

Ron DeNadaiSteven Elkins

Christopher V. ForinashDan Gallegher

Toni GoldLewis G. Grimm (F)DeLania L. Hardy

Keith HinesDwight A. Horne

Timothy T. JacksonRobert P. Jurasin (F)

Joanna M. Kervin (F)Tom Kloster (M)

Walter M. KulashJohn Lazarra

Elizabeth MacDonaldJoel R. McCarroll

Michael D. Meyer (M)Tracey Newsome

Neal I. PaytonMatthew D. Ridgway (F)

Wilton A. RobertsOtha J. Rogers (M)

Bob Schlict

Samuel SeskinFrank Spielberg (F)

Harry W. Taylor (M)Lois E. L. Thibault

Dennis R. Toomey (M)Charles N. Ukegbu

Jerry WaltersRobert C. Wunderlich (F)

(Letters in parentheses indicate ITE member grade: H- Honorary, A-Associate Member, M-Member, F-Fellow.)


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viiTable of Contents

Table of Contents

Part 1: Introduction

Chapter 1. Foundation ........................................................................................................................... 3

Purpose of This Report ...................................................................................................................................... 3CSS and This Report .......................................................................................................................................... 3Objectives of this Report ................................................................................................................................... 4Walkable Communities ..................................................................................................................................... 4Applicability of this Recommended Practice ....................................................................................................... 6Relationship to Other Guidance......................................................................................................................... 6Organization..................................................................................................................................................... 7Who Should Use This Report ............................................................................................................................. 7Works Cited.................................................................................................................................................... 10Sources of Additional Information ................................................................................................................... 10

Part 2: Planning

Chapter 2. Planning and Developing Context Sensitive Urban Thoroughfares ................................... 13Purpose .......................................................................................................................................................... 13Objectives....................................................................................................................................................... 13CSS in the Transportation Planning Process ...................................................................................................... 13CSS in the Project Development Process .......................................................................................................... 18Sources of Additional Information ................................................................................................................... 22

Chapter 3. Network and Corridor Planning ......................................................................................... 23Purpose .......................................................................................................................................................... 23Objectives....................................................................................................................................................... 24

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 24CSS in Network Planning ................................................................................................................................ 24Effective Network Planning for Walkable Areas ................................................................................................ 26Urban Form and Transportation Networks ........................................................................................................ 27Planning Urban Transportation Networks ......................................................................................................... 28Network Planning Principles for Walkable Urban Thoroughfares ....................................................................... 28Network Design Guidelines ............................................................................................................................. 30Urban Corridor Thoroughfare Planning for Walkable Urban Areas ..................................................................... 32CSS Example in Corridor PlanningDeveloping Evaluation Criteria ................................................................. 36An Important Note About Implementation ....................................................................................................... 39Works Cited.................................................................................................................................................... 40Sources of Additional Information ................................................................................................................... 41

Chapter 4. A Framework for Walkable Urban Thoroughfare Design ................................................... 43Purpose .......................................................................................................................................................... 43Objectives....................................................................................................................................................... 43Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 43Features that Create Context .......................................................................................................................... 44Context Zones ................................................................................................................................................ 47Thoroughfare Types ......................................................................................................................................... 48


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viii Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach

Works Cited .................................................................................................................................................... 53Sources of Additional Information ................................................................................................................... 53

Part 3: Design

Chapter 5: Thoroughfare Design Process ............................................................................................ 57

Purpose ......................................................................................................................................................... 57Applicability of Design Criteria ........................................................................................................................ 57Objectives....................................................................................................................................................... 57Denitions ...................................................................................................................................................... 57Overview of the Design Process ...................................................................................................................... 59Flexibility in Application of Design Criteria ....................................................................................................... 63Design Process in Constrained Right of Way .................................................................................................... 63Works Cited.................................................................................................................................................... 64

Chapter 6: Thoroughfare Designs for Walkable Urban Areas .............................................................. 67Purpose .......................................................................................................................................................... 67

Objectives....................................................................................................................................................... 67Basis for Thoroughfare Design Examples .......................................................................................................... 67General Walkable Thoroughfare Design Parameters.......................................................................................... 67Specialized Thoroughfare Designs .................................................................................................................... 69Traveled Way .................................................................................................................................................. 73Streetside ....................................................................................................................................................... 76Intersections ................................................................................................................................................... 76Multiway Boulevards ....................................................................................................................................... 77Design Examples............................................................................................................................................. 81Works Cited.................................................................................................................................................. 105Sources of Additional Information ................................................................................................................. 105

Chapter 7: Design Controls ............................................................................................................... 107Purpose ........................................................................................................................................................ 107Objectives..................................................................................................................................................... 107Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 107Design Controls Dened by AASHTO ............................................................................................................. 107Differences from Conventional Practice ......................................................................................................... 108Thoroughfare Speed Management ................................................................................................................ 111Additional Controls to Consider in Thoroughfare Design ................................................................................ 112Works Cited.................................................................................................................................................. 113Sources of Additional Information ................................................................................................................. 114

Chapter 8: Streetside Design Guidelines ........................................................................................... 115

Purpose ........................................................................................................................................................ 115Objectives..................................................................................................................................................... 115Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 115The Urban Streetside: Uses and Activities ....................................................................................................... 116Design Principles .......................................................................................................................................... 116Design Guidance .......................................................................................................................................... 119Streetside Width and Functional Requirement ................................................................................................ 120Edge Zone Principles and Considerations ....................................................................................................... 120


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ixTable of Contents

Furnishings Zone Principles and Considerations ............................................................................................. 122Throughway Zone Principles and Considerations ............................................................................................ 123Frontage Zone Principles and Considerations ................................................................................................. 123Driveway Crossing Principles and Considerations ........................................................................................... 125Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 125Additional Guidelines .................................................................................................................................... 125

Justication .................................................................................................................................................. 129Works Cited .................................................................................................................................................. 129Sources of Additional Information ................................................................................................................. 129

Chapter 9. Traveled Way Design Guidelines ...................................................................................... 131Purpose ....................................................................................................................................................... 131Objectives..................................................................................................................................................... 131Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 131Design Considerations .................................................................................................................................. 132Design Guidance .......................................................................................................................................... 136Lane Width................................................................................................................................................. 136

Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 136General Principles and Considerations .......................................................................................................... 136Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 137Medians ..................................................................................................................................................... 138Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 138General Principles and Considerations .......................................................................................................... 139Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 140Additional Guidelines .................................................................................................................................... 140Trees and Landscaping in Medians ................................................................................................................ 140Justication .................................................................................................................................................. 142Bicycle Lanes ............................................................................................................................................. 143Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 143

General Principles and Considerations ........................................................................................................... 143Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 145Justication .................................................................................................................................................. 145On-Street Parking Conguration and Width ......................................................................................... 145Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 145General Principles and Considerations .......................................................................................................... 146Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 147Additional Guidelines .................................................................................................................................... 148Justication .................................................................................................................................................. 148Geometric Transition Design ................................................................................................................... 148Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 148Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 149Additional Guidelines .................................................................................................................................... 149Four-Lane to Three-Lane Conversions (Road Diets) ......................................................................................... 149Midblock Crossings .................................................................................................................................. 150Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 150General Principles and Considerations .......................................................................................................... 150Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 152Justication .................................................................................................................................................. 152Pedestrian Refuge Islands ....................................................................................................................... 156


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x Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach

Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 156General Considerations ................................................................................................................................. 156Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 157Justication .................................................................................................................................................. 157Transit Design ........................................................................................................................................... 157Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 157

Types of Transit on Thoroughfares .................................................................................................................. 158Transit Facilities on Thoroughfares ................................................................................................................. 158Planning for Transit ....................................................................................................................................... 160Bus Stops in the Traveled Way ............................................................................................................... 163Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 163General Principles and Considerations .......................................................................................................... 163Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 165Justication .................................................................................................................................................. 168Special Consideration with Stormwater Management ....................................................................... 168Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 169General Principles ......................................................................................................................................... 170

Guidelines .................................................................................................................................................... 170Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 171Justication .................................................................................................................................................. 171Special Consideration with Snow Removal........................................................................................... 171Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 171Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 172Works Cited.................................................................................................................................................. 172Sources of Additional Information ................................................................................................................. 172

Chapter 10. Intersection Design Guidelines ...................................................................................... 175Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 175Objectives..................................................................................................................................................... 176

Design Elements for Intersections in Walkable Areas ...................................................................................... 180Design Guidance....................................................................................................................................... 180Intersection Geometry ................................................................................................................................... 180General Intersection Layout ........................................................................................................................... 182General Principles and Considerations ........................................................................................................... 184Curb Return Radii ..................................................................................................................................... 184Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 184General Principles and Considerations ........................................................................................................... 185Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 186Justication .................................................................................................................................................. 187Channelized Right-Turns .......................................................................................................................... 187Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 187General Principles and Considerations ........................................................................................................... 188Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 188Modern Roundabouts .............................................................................................................................. 190Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 190General Principles and Considerations ........................................................................................................... 190Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 192Justication .................................................................................................................................................. 192Pedestrian Treatments at IntersectionsCrosswalks.......................................................................... 193


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Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 193General Principles and Considerations ........................................................................................................... 193Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 194Justication .................................................................................................................................................. 194Curb Extensions ........................................................................................................................................ 195Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 195

General Principles and Considerations ........................................................................................................... 195Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 197Justication .................................................................................................................................................. 197Bicycle Lane Treatment at Intersections ................................................................................................ 197Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 197General Principles and Considerations ........................................................................................................... 198Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 198Justication .................................................................................................................................................. 198Bus Stops at Intersections....................................................................................................................... 198Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 198Recommended Practice ................................................................................................................................. 200

Works Cited.................................................................................................................................................. 203Sources of Additional Information ................................................................................................................. 203

Appendix 1. Key Terms and New Concepts........................................................................................ 205

Appendix 2. Introduction to Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) ........................................................ 211What is CSS? ................................................................................................................................................ 211Why CSS is Important ................................................................................................................................... 212Elements of Effective CSS .............................................................................................................................. 212Conventional Process Versus CSS ................................................................................................................. 214CSS Principles, Processes and Outcomes ........................................................................................................ 214


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1

P A R T 1

Introduction


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3

Purpose of This ReportThis report has been developed in response to wide-spread interest or improving both mobility choicesand community character through a commitment tocreating and enhancing walkable communities. Manyagencies will work toward these goals using the con-cepts and principles in this report to ensure the us-ers, community and other key actors are consideredin the planning and design processes used to developwalkable urban thoroughares.

Traditionally, through thousands o years o humansettlement, urban streets have perormed multipleunctions. Mobility was one o the unctions, buteconomic and social unctions were important aswell. Retail and social transactions have occurredalong most urban thoroughares throughout his-tory. It is only in the 20th century that streets weredesigned to separate the mobility unction romthe economic and social unctions. This report isintended to acilitate the restoration o the com-plex multiple unctions o urban streets. It pro-vides guidance or the design o walkable urbanthoroughares in places that currently support themode o walking and in places where the commu-nity desires to provide a more walkable thorough-are, and the context to support them in the uture.

While the concepts and principles o context sensi-tive solutions (CSS) are applicable to all types otransportation acilities, this report ocuses on ap-plying the concepts and principles in the planningand design o urban thorougharesacilities com-monly designated by the conventional unctional

classifcations o arterials and collectors. Freeways,expressways and local streets are not covered in thisreport. The ollowing chapters emphasize thor-oughares in walkable communitiescompact,pedestrian-scaled villages, neighborhoods, towncenters, urban centers, urban cores and other areas where walking, bicycling and transit are encour-aged. Practitioners working on places and thor-oughares that do not completely ft within this

reports defnition o walkable urban thorougharesmay also fnd this guidance useul in gaining anunderstanding o the exibility that is inherentin the Green Bookthe American Associationo State Highway and Transportation Ofcials(AASHTOs) Policy on Geometric Design of High-ways and Streets(AASHTO, 2004a).

Throughout this report, or brevity, the termsprinciples o CSS and CSS are used inter-changeably.

CSS and This Report

The principles o CSS promote a collaborative, mul-tidisciplinary process that involves all stakeholders inplanning and designing transportation acilities that:

Meettheneedsousersandstakeholders;

Arecompatiblewiththeirsettingandpreservescenic,aesthetic,historicandenvironmentalresources;

Respectdesignobjectivesorsaety,efciency,

multimodal mobility, capacity and mainte-nance;and

Integrate community objectives and valuesrelating to compatibility, livability, sense oplace,urbandesign,cost andenvironmentalimpacts.(FHWAandAtlantaRegionalCom-mission)

Applying the principles o CSS enhances the plan-ning and design process by addressing objectivesand considerations not only or the transporta-

tion acility but also or the surrounding area andits land uses, developments, economic and otheractivities and environmental conditions. With athorough understanding o the CSS principles anddesign process, the practitioner planning or design-ing a thoroughare seeks to integrate communityobjectives, accommodate all users and make deci-sions based on an understanding o the trade-os

Chapter 1: Foundation

1C h a p t e r

Foundation


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4 Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach

that requently accompany multiple or conictingneeds.

Applying the principles o CSS in the transpor-tation planning or project development processidentifes objectives, issues and trade-os based on

stakeholder and community input starting at theregional planning process and continuing througheach level o planning and project development(or example, network, corridor and project). Thisreport provides guidance in how CSS principlesmay be considered and applied in the processes in-volved with planning and developing roadway im-provements or walkable urban thoroughares.

As documented in Context-Sensitive Design Aroundthe Country(TRB 2004), A Guide to Best Practic-

es for Achieving Context Sensitive Solutions (TRB2002) and other sources, the principles o CSS aresuccessully used in towns and cities as well as inrural areas. Agencies are transorming the currentproject development process to meet the expecta-tions o all users and stakeholders. Integrating CSSprinciples into the project development process re-sults in the consideration o a broad range o ob-jectives and an attempt to balance these objectivesbased on the needs and conditions specifc to eachproject and its context. The use o CSS principlesin the project development process is resulting in

community interests, user needs and environmen-tal issues being considered early in the developmento roadway improvement projectsspecifcally indefning the projects purpose and need and, as ap-propriate, in other decisions in each phase o theproject.

Objectives of this Report

The objectives o this report are to

1. Identiy how CSS principles canbe applied

intheprocesses(orexample,network,corri-dor,projectdevelopment)involvedwithplan-ning and developing roadway improvementprojectsonurbanthorougharesorwalkablecommunities;

2. Describe the relationship, compatibility andtrade-osthatmaybeappropriatewhenbalanc-ingtheneedsoallusers,adjoininglanduses,

environment and community interests whenmaking decisions in the project developmentprocess;

3. DescribetheprinciplesoCSSandthebenetsandimportanceotheseprinciplesintranspor-

tationprojects;4. Presentguidanceonhowtoidentiyandselect

appropriatethorougharetypesandcorrespond-ingdesignparameterstobestmeetthewalkabil-ityneedsinaparticularcontext;and

5. Provide criteria or specic thoroughare ele-ments,alongwithguidanceonbalancingstake-holder, community and environmental needsandconstraintsinplanninganddesigningwalk-ableurbanthoroughareprojects.

Walkable Communities

Walkable communities are urban places that sup-port walking as an important part o peoples dailytravel through a complementary relationship betweentransportation, land use and the urban design char-acter o the place. In walkable communities, walkingis a desirable and efcient mode o transportation.Although nearly every human environment can ac-commodate some degree o walking, walkable com-munities give additional value and support to makewalking an enjoyable experience (see sidebar regard-ing the continuum o walkability).

Principles or walkable communities include theollowing:

1. Accommodating pedestrians, bicycles, transit,reightandmotorvehicleswithinane-grainedurbancirculationnetworkwheretheallocationo right o way on individual thorougharesis based on urban context, oten determinedthroughtheprocessinthisreport;

2. Providing a compact and mixed-use environ-

mentourbanbuildings,publicspacesandland-scapesthatsupportwalkingdirectlythroughthebuiltenvironmentandindirectlybysupportinghumanandeconomicactivitiesassociatedwithadjacentandsurroundinglanduses;

3. Achieving system-widetransportationcapac-itybyusingahighlevelomultimodalnet-workconnectivity,servingwalkablecommu-


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5Chapter 1: Foundation

Continuum of Walkability

At some level nearly every place in the built environ-ment is walkable. Some places, such as freeways orhighways do not allow for pedestrians. At the other ex-treme, public spaces such as plazas, parks and pedes-

trian malls are primarily for pedestrians and generallyexclude vehicles. Thoroughfares that are in betweenthese two extremes require trade-offs between pedes-trian and vehicle priority. The focus of this report is onthe thoroughfares that are pedestrian supportive asshown in the spectrum of pedestrian and vehicle sup-portiveness below. Some of the concepts in this reportcan be used in pedestrian-tolerant areas as well.

Pedestrian priority on urban thoroughfares falls intothe following ranges:

Pedestrian placesmixed-use areas with asignicant pedestrian presence, not dominat-ed by, and sometimes prohibiting, vehicles;

Pedestrian supportivemixed-use areas withmoderate to signicant pedestrian presence;

Pedestrian tolerantareas that minimally ac-commodate pedestrians but do not support ahigh level of pedestrian activity and are usuallyvehicle dominant; and

Pedestrian intolerantareas with little supportfor walking or that prohibit pedestrians and arevehicle dominant.

Thoroughfares that are pedestrian supportive rangefrom being tolerant to supportive of vehicular accessand mobility. The specics of the communitys objec-tives, transportation needs and priorities are resolvedthrough the CSS process to arrive at the proper thor-oughfare design solutions.

Source: Adapted from a system for describing de-grees of walkability for street environments, CharlierAssociates.

nitieswithappropriatelyspacedandproperlysizedpedestrian,bicycle,transitandvehicularcomponentsratherthanbyincreasingtheve-hicularcapacityoindividualthoroughares;and

4.Creating a supportive relationship betweenthoroughareandcontextbydesigningthor-oughares that will change as the surround-ingsvaryinurbancharacter.

Walkable communities have the ollowing charac-teristics:

1. Amixolandusesincloseproximitytooneanother;

2. Amixodensityincludingrelativelycompactdevelopments(bothresidentialandcommer-cial);

3. Building entries that ront directly onto thesidewalkwithoutparkingbetweenentriesandthepublicrightoway;

4. Building,landscapeandthorougharedesignthatispedestrian-scaleinotherwords,thatprovidesarchitecturalandurbandesignea-turesscaledanddetailedtobeappreciatedbypersonswhoaretravelingslowlyandobserv-ingromthesidewalkatstreetlevel;

5. Torougharesdesignedtoservetheactivities

generatedbytheadjacentcontextintermsothemobility,saety,accessandplace-makingunctionsothepublicrightoway;and

6. A highly connected,multimodal circulationnetwork,usuallywithanegraincreatedbyrelativelysmallblocksprovidingsae,contin-uousandbalancedmultimodalacilitiesthatcapitalize on compact urban developmentpatternsanddensities.

The above principles and characteristics are the

qualities ound in urban places where developmentpattern, intensity and design combine to acilitaterequent walking and transit use. In these places,the nonauto modes are attractive and efcientchoices or many people, in concert with automo-biles and their convenient and accessible parking.An increasing number o communities are recog-nizing the value o these eatures and are embracingthem in land use, urban design and transportation


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plans, oten using techniques drawn rom planningand design movements such as smart growth andnew urbanism.

As the successul design o walkable communitiesis complex and is not the primary ocus o this re-

port, the ollowing reerences are provided as someo the many sources or useul guidance regardingthe overall design o walkable communities:

1. PromotingSustainableransportationTroughSite Design: An IE Recommended Practice,2010.Tisdocumentprovidesspecicguid-anceregardingthedesignositestocreateacontext that supports walkable urban thor-oughares.

2. SmartCodev9.2,(AndresDuany,SandySor-lien,andWilliamWright,2008).Tisdocu-

mentisamodeldevelopmentcodeorwalk-able communities that is based upon theransect.

Applicability of thisRecommended Practice

This recommended practice provides guidance ordesigning urban thorougharesacilities designatedas arterials or collectorsto support walkable com-munities. Most applications o the design guidance

included in this report will oten apply in one o theollowing two circumstances:

1. Athoroughareprojectinanexistingwalkablecommunitywhereitsmultimodalcharacteristobepreservedandenhanced;or

2. Athoroughareprojectinanareawherecom-munity goals call or awalkable context, inwhichcaseapplyingthisdesignguidancewillshape public investment to advance thosegoals.

Both circumstances can apply to either new con-struction or retroft projects.

Commitment to walkable communities as a goalmeans that throughout the design process, locationwill serve as a design control (see Chapter 7). As aresult, design decisions will consistently avor thoseelements and dimensions that are most supportive

o walkable community characteristics. Exampleso the design-decision processes avoring walkablecommunity outcomes are provided in Chapter 5.

Other development contexts will also beneft romapplying the guidance presented in this report. These

include places characterized by business parks, resi-dential subdivisions and strip commercial develop-ment. In areas such as these, outside o existing andevolving walkable communities, this report can helpdesigners provide benefts including

Saeandcomortableacilitiesorpedestrians;

Attractivestreetsideareas;

Appropriatesizingoacilitieswithrespecttopavementwidth,withassociatedpotentialorcostsavingsinright-o-wayacquisition,con-structionandmaintenance;

Successulintegrationotransitacilitiesandoperations;and

Speedmanagement.

In cases where the design guidance is being used indevelopment contexts other than walkable commu-nities (existing or planned), design controls otherthan location may dominate trade-o decisions.

Relationship to Other Guidance

This report supplements and expands on policies,guides and standards commonly used by state andlocal transportation, engineering and public worksengineers and planners. Those publications includeA Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets(AASHTO 2004a); Guide for the Planning, Designand Operation of Pedestrian Facilities (AASHTO2004b); Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities(AASHTO 1999); Highway Safety Design and Opera-tions Guide(AASHTO 1997); Roadside Design Guide

(AASHTO 2002); as well as state department otransportation design policies and manuals, local mu-nicipal street design standards, urban design guidesand guidances published by other standard-settingorganizations. This publication expands on inorma-tion published by the Federal Highway Administra-tion (FHWA) in Flexibility in Highway Design (1997)and the Manual on Uniform Trafc Control Devices(2009) and builds upon the considerations in devel-


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oping context sensitive solutions described inA Guidefor Achieving Flexibility in Highway Design (AASHTO2004c). ths p s nn llusa hw AASHto guan an b appl awapn pjs ak h -pabl wh un bjs an nx n

uban aas.

The exibility encouraged in this report is consis-tent with the policies and intent expressed in theAmerican Association o State Highway and Trans-portation Ofcials (AASHTO) Policy on GeometricDesign of Highways and Streets. Most o the criteriain this report are based on AASHTO design crite-ria, and this report shows how the criteria can beapplied to create context sensitive designs in places with the qualities o traditional urbanism. This

report presents guidance rom sources other thanAASHTO, citing these sources at the end o eachchapter. This report incorporates by reerence con-sistency with guidelines and standards published inthe latest version o the Americans with Disabili-ties Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) as wellas the Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines(PROWAG), which both can be ound at www.access-board.gov.

This report augments inormation ound in theabove resources by providing guidance on

1. ApplyingCSSprinciplesintheplanninganddesignourbanthoroughares;

2.Considering a broader set o actors duringthe planning and design o walkable urbanthoroughares;

3. Recognizing the importance o context, therole o sites andbuildings andhow contextinuencesthedesignothethoroughareandviceversa;and

4. Providinganunderstandingohowthorough-

aredesigncriteriashouldvarydependingonthecontext throughwhichthe thorougharepasses.

Organization

This report is divided into three parts: introduction,planning and design. There are ten chapters:

Chapter1providestheintroduction.

Chapters2through4describehowCSSprin-ciplesareusedintheplanningandprojectde-velopmentprocesses.

Chapters5 through10addressthethorough-aredesignprocessandspecicdesigncriteria.

Te appendices contain denitions o keytermsandconcepts,aswellasaprimeronCSS.

tabl 1.1 lists the chapters and provides an overviewo the material that is addressed in each chapter.

Chapter 6 provides general design parameters andexample designs or urban thoroughares withspeeds up to 35 mph in areas with high levels opedestrian, bicycle and transit activity. Chapter 7presents general design controls that apply to urbanthoroughare design. Design guidelines in Chapters8 through 10 ocus on the streetside, traveled wayand intersection design o lower-speed thorough-ares, but much o this guidance also can be appliedto higher-speed acilities.

Who Should Use This ReportThis report is or practitioners and stakeholders in-volved in planning and designing urban thorough-ares or walkable communities. Users are encour-aged to consider the principles and guidelines in thisreport in conjunction with applicable local policiesand manuals. tabl 1.2 presents many o the in-tended users and their responsibilities where CSSprinciples may be considered. Each user listed intabl 1.2 represents a dierent set o stakeholdersthat bring dierent perspectives and responsibilities

to the transportation planning and project devel-opment processes to best meet the needs o all thestakeholders. However, all users may beneft roman understanding o CSS principles and how theymight be integrated into their work.


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Table 1.1 Contents of This Report

Chapter Title Material that is Addressed

Part 1: Introduction

1Foundation The background behind this guidance and an overview of the principlesof CSS.

Part 2: Planning

2Planning and Developing Context Sensitive UrbanThoroughfares

An overview of the transportation planning and project developmentprocess and how CSS principles are applied with these processes.

3Network and Corridor Planning An overview of thoroughfare network types, characteristics of successfulnetworks and network design guidelines. An overview of the corridor plan-ning process and the role of CSS.

4A Framework for Walkable Urban Thoroughfare Design An introduction into the design framework for context sensitive thorough-fare design, context zones, their characteristics and the features that createcontext and a description of thoroughfare types and their relationship withfunctional classications, compatibility with context zones and general de-sign parameters.

Part 3: Design

5Thoroughfare Design Process A process for using this report to design thoroughfares, how to design thor-oughfares within constrained rights of way and exibility in the applicationof design criteria.

6Thoroughfare Designs for Walkable Urban Areas General design parameters for thoroughfare types, variations in the street-side and traveled way under varying conditions and example thoroughfaredesigns.

7Design Controls A discussion of the engineering controls and level of exibility critical incontext sensitive design, including design vehicle, roadway geometrics anddesign speed.

8Streetside Design Guidelines General principles, design considerations and detailed guidance for the de-sign of the elements that comprise the streetside.

9Traveled Way Design Guidelines General principles, design considerations and detailed guidance for the de-sign of the elements that comprise the traveled way.

10Intersection Design Guidelines General principles, design considerations and detailed guidance for the de-sign of the elements that comprise multimodal intersections.


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Table 1.2 Intended Users and Responsibilities

User Responsibilities

All Users Participate in preparing transportation plans; Help establish community vision and project goals and objectives; and

Help develop and evaluate thoroughfare concepts, alternatives and impacts.

Transportation Planner Develops and evaluates long-range transportation plans; Helps establish community vision and project goals and objectives; Develops and evaluates thoroughfare concepts, alternatives and impacts; and Works with public, stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams to integrate transportation and land use

planning.

Trafc/Civil Engineer Prepares purpose and need for transportation projects; Develops initial thoroughfare concepts and prepares detailed evaluations of these concepts; Identies design controls and parameters, constraints and trade-offs;

Works with public, stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams to resolve design challenges; and Prepares preliminary and nal engineering plans.

Land Use Planner Develops long-range land use plans; Helps establish community vision and goals and objectives for neighborhoods and corridors; Works with multidisciplinary team to establish and identify context; Formulates land use policy that affects thoroughfare design; and Establishes land use regulations (subdivision, zoning and so forth) that guide context.

Design Professional- Architect- Urban Designer- Landscape Architect

Designs integral elements of the thoroughfare and its surrounding context including buildings, sites andstreetscape features;

Works with public, stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams to resolve design challenges; and Prepares environmental assessments; identies impacts and mitigation measures.

Stakeholders- Elected Ofcials- Appointed Commissioners- Developers- Local, Regional and StateAgencies

- Citizens

Provide local and regional input and leadership; Provide funding and nancing mechanisms for development of context and thoroughfares; Have jurisdiction and approval authority over plans and designs; and Work closely with the general public to achieve community acceptance of projects.


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Works Cited

American Association o State Highway and Trans-portation Ofcials. 1997. Highway Safety Design andOperations Guide.Washington, DC: AASHTO.

American Association o State Highway and Trans-portation Ofcials. 1999. Guide for the Developmentof Bicycle Facilities.Washington, DC: AASHTO.

American Association o State Highways andTransportation Ofcials. 2002. Roadside DesignGuide.Washington, DC: AASHTO.

American Association o State Highway and Trans-portation Ofcials. 2004a. Policy on Geometric De-sign of Streets and Highways, Fith Edition. Wash-

ington, DC: AASHTO.

American Association o State Highway and Trans-portation Ofcials. 2004b. Guide for the Planning,Design and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities. Wash-ington, DC: AASHTO.

American Association o State Highways and Trans-portation Ofcials. 2004c. A Guide for AchievingFlexibility in Highway Design. Washington, DC:AASHTO.

Federal Highway Administration and Atlanta Re-gional Commission. Accessible via www.hwa.dot.gov/context/index.cm.

Federal Highway Administration. 1997. Flexibilityin Highway Design.Washington, DC: FHWA.

Federal Highway Administration. 2009. Manualon Uniform Trafc Control Devices. Washington,DC: FHWA.

Federal Highway Administration. 2005. ExecutiveOrder 13274Purpose and Need Work Group Base-line Report, March 15. Washington, DC: FHWA.

Institute o Transportation Engineers. 2010. Pro-moting Sustainable Transportation Through Site De-sign: An ITE Recommended Practice. Washington,DC: ITE.

Transportation Research Board. 2002. NCHRPReport 480:A Guide to Best Practices for AchievingContext Sensitive Solutions.Washington, DC: TRB.

Transportation Research Board. 2004. ContextSensitive Design Around the Country, Some Ex-

amples. Transportation Research Circular NumberE-CO67July. Washington, DC: TRB.

U.S. Architectural and Transportation BarriersCompliance Board. 1999.Accessible Rights-of-Way:A Design Guide.

Sources of Additional Information

Transportation Research Board. 2004. NCHRP 69:Performance Measures for Context Sensitive Solutions-

A Guidebook for State DOTs. [NCHRP Web-OnlyDocument 69 (Project 20-24(30)).] Washington,DC: TRB.


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P A R T 2

Planning


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13Chapter 2: Planning and Developing Context Sensitive Urban Thoroughfares

PurposeThis chapter describes, in general terms, the trans-portation planning and project development pro-cesses. It provides a broad overview o each stageo the processes and emphasizes that CSS prin-ciples can be applied at each stage. The transpor-tation planning overview in this chapter providesthe background or the practitioner to understandthe principles and guidance on network and cor-ridor planning presented in Chapter 3. Similarly,the overview o the project development process

introduces the stages or planning and designingroadway improvement projects, which supports theinormation presented in Chapters 4 through 10.

Objectives

This chapter

1. BroadlydescribeshowCSSprinciplescanbeintegrated into the transportation planningprocess;and

2. DescribeshowCSScanbeintegratedintothe

project development process and identiestheapplicablesteps.

CSS in the TransportationPlanning Process

Transportation planning is a continuing, compre-hensive and collaborative process to encourage thedevelopment o a multimodal transportation systemto ensure sae and efcient movement o people andgoods while balancing environmental and commu-

nity needs. The process is designed to promote in-volvement by all levels o government, stakeholdersand the general public. The transportation planningprocess is concentrated at our levels o government:ederal, state, metropolitan, or regional, and localagency. tabl 2.1 describes the planning roles andresponsibilities at the various government levels andshows how CSS can be applied at each level.

The planning process examines demographic char-acteristics and travel patterns or a given area, showshow these characteristics will change over a givenperiod o time and evaluates alternative improve-ments or the transportation system. tabl 2.1 alsosummarizes how CSS can be applied in each o theplanning tiers. The planning tiers are divided intoour levels:

1. NationalResponsible or legislation andoversight and development o policies andregulations, aswell as providing unding ortransportation projects at the state, regional

andlocallevel.

2. StatewideResponsible or long- and short-range transportation planning, developmento transportation regulations and standards,oversight and development o transportationprograms, transportationundingand imple-mentation,andmaintenanceandoperationothestatehighwaysystem.

3. Metropolitan or RegionalResponsible orareawideplanning,projectionsandcoordina-tion;generallytheseagenciesaremetropolitanplanningorganizations (MPOs) in urbanizedareas with more than 50,000 population orcoverruralandsmallcityregionsoutsidetheMPOareas.MPOsalsocoordinatemetropoli-tanplanadoption,projectselectionandalloca-tionoederalandsomestateunding.

4. Local AgencyResponsible or local plan-ningandprojectdevelopment,operationsandmaintenanceotransportationacilities.

The consideration o CSS principles can allow the

dierent agency planning-level goals and objectivesto be reected in the initial or early development oindividual projects and may convey inormation oruse in defning the purpose and need. In addition,CSS considerations in transportation planning canidentiy issues or decisions acing the region, allow-ing or consensus and a shared understanding o themajor sources o change that aect the uture.

2C h a p t e r

Planning and Developing Context SensitiveUrban Thoroughfares


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Table 2.1 Transportation Planning Tiers and CSS Applications

Tier Responsibilities CSS Applications

National

Authorizing legislation Federal regulations

Federal policy Research programs Highway construction funding

Interpreting legislation Federal policy and regulations

Development of CSS and exibledesign guidance Demonstration projects Research programs addressing design

issues

Statewide

Statewide State DOT Long-RangePlanning (10 to 50 Years) Strategic plans Transportation plans Plans and programs

Programs and System Plans(5 to 10 Years) System and corridor planning

Strategic system plans Regional/agency operational programs

and plans State transportation improvement pro-

grams (STIP) Highway construction funding

Network design and connectivity plans Multimodal and CSS policies Public participation in CSS vision and

plan development Developing CSS and exible design

guidance State design manual revisions Context sensitive designs of highways

and thoroughfares Coordination with resource agencies Demonstration programs Staff and local agency training CSS funding partnerships

Regional/Metropolitan

Regional Long-Range Planning(10 to 50 Years) Agency strategic plans Regional transportation plans Agency plans and programs

Programs and System Plans

(5 to 10 Years) System and corridor planning Strategic system plans Agency and regional transportation

improvement programs (TIPs) Transportation construction funding,

coordination and prioritization

Network design and connectivity plans Multimodal and CSS policies Context sensitive highway and thor-

oughfare corridor studies Coordinating among agencies Staff and local agency training CSS funding partnerships

Local Agency

Operations, management strategiesand plans

Roadway improvement projects Planning, design and enhancements Support services Capital improvement programs

Local design manual/standards Corridor plans Thoroughfare plans Multimodal and CSS policies in com-

prehensive plans Integrating CSS into project develop-

ment process (includes public participa-tion)

Source: Adapted from Freeway Management and Operations Handbook, Federal Highway Administration


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Integrating CSS principles within the transpor-tation planning process assists regions and com-munities in reaching their transportation goals byencouraging the consideration o land use, trans-portation and inrastructure needs in an integratedmanner. When transportation planning reects

community input and takes into considerationthe impacts on both natural and human environ-ments, it also promotes partnerships that lead tobalanced decision making. Incorporating CSSconsiderations within transportation planning alsoproduces better environmental results by advanc-ing the ability to identiy sensitive environmentalresources while acilitating cooperative interagencyrelationships.

The benefts o integrating CSS in the planning

process encourages public support or transporta-tion plans and cooperation among agencies, reduc-es project delays by minimizing controversy andsaves time and unds. CSS also osters conservationo environmental and community resources. Theprobable benefts when working collaborativelywith stakeholders includes the production o a ullrange o options, an understanding o trade-osand consensus on key decisions. This results in in-ormation that directly eeds into, and acceleratesthe project development process.

Without adoption and support o CSS principlesby agencies (or example, policies, procedures,standards and programs), it will be challengingand difcult to apply CSS in either a transporta-tion planning process or improvement project. Ia regional long-range transportation plan or localcorridor plan has not incorporated a process thatconsiders CSS, it may limit the range o optionsand the best overall solution. For example, chang-ing the unctional classifcation o a roadway tobe more compatible with its surroundings should

be considered at the level o the long-range trans-portation plan so that the change can be evaluatedwithin the context o the entire network. Withouta large-scale evaluation and adoption o the changein a plan, it will be difcult to change the unction-al classifcation at the project development stage,even i conditions justiy the change.

The process usually involves the steps shown inFgu 2.1. The general process is introduced hereto demonstrate how each stage provides an oppor-tunity to integrate CSS principles, beginning with

the frst step in the processdeveloping a vision,goals and policies. Below is a brie discussion oeach step and the possible outcomes when CSS ispart o the process.

vsn an Gals: It is at this step that the overallvision and goals or how the transportation systemshall be designed, built, operated and maintainedis decided. Applying CSS principles, at this level

Complete Streets

Some communities have adopted completestreets laws and policies to ensure that their roadsand streets are routinely designed and operatedto provide the safest achievable access for all us-

ers, including motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians andtransit riders. In communities with complete streetspolicies, the objective is for pedestrians, bicyclists,motorists and transit riders of all ages and abili-ties to be able to safely move along and across anurban street.

A complete streets policy creates a routine processfor providing for all travel modes whenever a streetis built, altered, or maintained. Such policies havebeen adopted at the state level in the United States(Oregon, California, Illinois, South Carolina and Vir-ginia), by MPOs (Central Ohio, California Bay Area)and by local governments (Charlotte, NC; Sacra-

mento, CA; Boulder, CO; and Chicago, IL).

Communities with street projects will benet greatlyfrom the application of CSS principles. The recom-mendations of this report can help communitiesimplement complete streets policies.

While context sensitive solutions involve stakehold-ers in considering a transportation facility in itsentire social, environmental and aesthetic context,complete street policies are a reminder that provid-ing for safe travel by users of all modes is the prima-ry function of the corridor. Under complete streets,basic accommodations for bicyclists, pedestrians,transit users and disabled travelers are necessities

rather than optional items. All modes and users areimportant on all thoroughfares.

For more information on complete streets, visitwww.completestreets.org.


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helps to integrate the regional, local and neighbor-hood vision or the physical nature and economic

vitality o communities. CSS principles can resultin compatibility between the acility and its sur-roundings so that the two are mutually supportive, whether in urban or rural settings. Possible out-comes o this step include:

Long-rangevisionorthecommunityandproject;

Communityvaluesandissues;

Supportingdata;

Communityandagencypriorities;

Developmentoamultidisciplinaryteam;

Educationostakeholdersregardingissues,processandconstraints;and

Anestablishedplanningprocessthatidentiesde-

cisionpointsandstakeholderrolesandresponsi-bilities.

dfnn Ns: A process that incorporates CSS,inclusive o all stakeholders, can help defne the needso the transportation plan or project based on the goals,objectives and visions established earlier. By proactivelyidentiying stakeholder values, issues and concerns, CSSallows development o an inclusive problem/need state-ment consistent with applicable policies and require-ments. The possible outcomes o this step include:

Acceptance oaproblem statement that reectscommunityandagencyperspectives;

Abroad andcomprehensiveneeds statementre-ectingcommunityvaluesaswellasthetranspor-tationneed;and

Evaluationcriteriaandperormancemeasures.

dlpn Alnas: CSS encourages use othe vision, goals and needs as the basis or developing aull range o options in a collaborative and participatoryprocess, resulting in exible and innovative solutions.Objectivity in developing the alternatives is critical.What seem at frst sight to be ineasible options otencan be refned into workable solutions. The possible out-comes o this step include:

Aullrangeoalternativesthatmeettheneedsstate-ment;

Avoidingunlikely(strawman)alternatives;

Opportunitiesorenhancementandexibilitytomodiyalternatives;

Considerationoallmodesandallusers;

Considerationoinnovativeandeasiblesolutions;and

Clear,understandableandgraphicalportrayal oalternatives.

Alnas ealuan: CSS encourages objectiveevaluation o the trade-os between dierent alterna-

Figure 2.1 Transportation planning process.Source: Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.


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tives, always relating back to evaluation criteria. As aresult, stakeholders will be better able to support andendorse plans and designs. The possible outcomes othis step include:

Participatory and transparent evaluation pro-cess;

Clearassessmentotrade-os;

Equalleveloassessmentoraccuratecompari-son;

Inormationtoassistdecisionmakers;and

Clearreasoningbehindrejectionoalternatives.

dlpn a tanspan Plan an tans-pan ipn Pga (tiP): CSS prin-ciples can be integrated into the development oa long-term transportation network, with a goal oachieving increasingly diverse travel modes and im-proving the overall operation o the transportationsystem. As a strategy that enhances saety and encour-ages all travel modes, CSS projects (transportationenhancements) may draw upon dierent undingsources than do conventional projects. The possibleoutcomes o this step include a plan that:

Reects the vision and community values andmeetstheneedsstatement;

Identiesopportunitiestoenhancecommunityresources;

Encompasses traditional and innovative solu-tions;and

Engenderscommunityownershipandendorse-ment.

Pj dlpn an iplnan: CSSprinciples can have the most proound eect on thisstep in the planning and design process as transporta-tion projects are taken rom the conceptual stage toimplementation. The possible outcomes o this step

include: Innovativesolutionsthatmeetprojectneeds,re-ectcommunityvaluesandenhanceresources;

Expedited approval o projects through earlyandconsistentstakeholderinvolvement;

Applicationodesignexibilityanddocumen-tationodesigndecisions;

Continuationostakeholderinputthroughde-signandconstruction;and

Assurancethatcommitmentsmadeintheplan-ningprocessarehonoredthroughconstruction.

Publ an Sakhl inln: CSS by def-nition is a process that involves, and attempts to buildconsensus among, a diverse group o stakeholders.The possible outcomes o this step include:

Earlyinvolvement;

Avarietyo traditionaland innovativewaystoengage the community (e.g.,workshops, cha-

Transportation Visioning

Communities determine their own vision for transpor-tationdescribing an ideal that reects their values,concerns and priorities. Below are examples of a trans-portation vision from two communities.

Moving people and goods within and across themetropolitan boundaries safely, conveniently and re-liably by providing an integrated and accessible trans-portation system comprised of a balanced range oftravel options.

The Livable Metropolis, ofcial plan of the Municipalityof Metropolitan Toronto,

Trafc in the corridors will be calmed to foster arelaxed, accessible, outdoor-oriented, pedestrian-friendly urban village. The issues outlined below ex-pand upon the vision statement and become a set ofprinciples to guide future public and private invest-ment and also create a measuring stick by whichto evaluate consistency with the vision, and therebyappropriateness, of these future investments:

Slow the trafc;

Divert cut-through trafc around UpperArlington;

Build safe crosswalks;

Build sidewalks and bikeways;

Plant more street trees; and

Encourage redevelopment that is scaled to en-courage/foster street life.

100-year lifespan vision of Upper Arlington StreetsLane Avenue and Tremont RoadStreet Planning and Transportation Vision, City ofUpper Arlington, Ohio.


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rettes,newsletters,ocusgroups,Websites,in-terviews);

A high level o agency credibility and publictrustthroughouttheinvolvementprocess;

Engagementounderservedandminoritycom-

munities; Equalparticipationostakeholders;and

Educationothepublicregardingtheplanningandprojectdevelopmentprocesses,constraintsandagencyperspectives.

opans an mannan: The transportationplanning and project development processes considerthe eects o decisions on costs, liability risks and op-erations and maintenance. Application o CCS prin-ciples and design guidance can aect these aspects oproject development and need to be careully consid-ered. Examples include the need to maintain land-scaping, the eects o CSS design on utility main-tenance and liabilities associated with certain designelements in public places. The possible outcomes othis step include:

Planstomonitorperormance(particularlyde-signexceptions)andreceiveeedback;and

Commitmenttomaintainacilities.

CSS in the ProjectDevelopment Process

Fgu 2.2 combines the basic phases o the transpor-tation planning and project development processesor transportation acilities involving ederal unds.This fgure illustrates how the transportation plan-ning process relates to the project development pro-cess. The fgure is intended to show how inormationor transportation improvements to a thorougharedeveloped in the transportation process provides in-put into the project development process. This typeo inormation includes:

Multimodal role o thoroughares within thenetwork;

Relationshipbetween landuses and the trans-portationsystem;

ravel demand orecasts or variousmodes otravel;

Perormancemeasuresandcriteriausedtoeval-uateindividualtransportationprojects;

Multimodal perormance o the network andindividualcorridors;

Speciccapitalprojectsandundingsources;

Goalsandpoliciesthatprovidedirectionorthedevelopmentoindividualtransportationproj-ects;and

Prioritizationoprojects.

The inormation presented in this report requires an un-derstanding o the existing and uture context in urbanareas. The application o CSS principles also requiresone to know the ways to use the design o the thorough-are itsel to provide mutual support between the thor-oughare and existing and planned adjacent land usesand development patterns. While CSS principles shouldbe considered at the highest level o planning and be in-tegrated into the culture o transportation agencies, inproject development, CSS principles should be intro-duced at the earliest stagethe needs study.

Integrating CSS in the project development processsignifcantly inuences the development o projectconcepts. Project concepts should emerge rom a ullunderstanding o the relationship between the thor-oughare, adjoining property and character o the

broader urban area. Modal emphasis should be estab-lished in the early stages o project development, notaddressed as an aterthought in preliminary engineer-ing. In the project scoping or planning step, whichincludes an environmental review, all alternative anal-yses may incorporate the principles o CSS.

CSS highlights the need or context sensitive peror-mance measures and criteria or selecting the preerredalternative at this stage o project development. Theproject development process in Fgu 2.2 illustrateswhere the inormation in this report can be used in

the process. The steps discussed are highlighted in theowcharts that ollow (Fgus 2.3 through 2.6):

Long-Range Transportation Plan:Inthisparto the process, the reports network planningand designguidelines (Chapter3)can beusedtohelppreparelong-rangetransportationplansand network connectivity supporting context-basedthoroughares.Additionally,thethorough-


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Figure 2.2 Transportation planning and project development processes. Source: Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

Figure 2.3 Applicable Steps in Planning Process for Long-Range Transportation Plan (shown as highlighted boxes)


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Figure 2.4 Applicable Steps in Planning Process for Needs Study and development of Project Concepts (shown ashighlighted boxes)

Figure 2.5 Applicable Steps in Planning Process for Project Planning and Alternatives Analysis (shown in highlightedboxes)


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Figure 2.6 Applicable Steps in Planning Process for Preliminary Engineering and Final Design (shown in highlighted boxes)

aretypesdescribedinChapter4maybeinte-gratedintothedevelopmentolong-rangeplans.Te long-rangetransportation planningprocessprovidesanopportunitytoidentiythoseplaceswhere local agency land use and developmentpoliciescanbestsupporturbanCSS,suchaspe-destrian-scaledistricts, towncenter designs andtransitcorridors.Tesepolicydecisionscanthen

bereectedinthedevelopmentothoroughareclassications.

Needs Study and Project Concepts:Teun-damentalsourbancontextsensitivedesign,thedesignrameworkintroducedinChapter3andthe thoroughare design process and examplethoroughare designs (Chapters 5 and 6) areimportanttoolsintheneedsstudyanddevel-opment o project concepts.Multidisciplinaryteamandstakeholderinvolvementiscriticalinthisearlystep.

The project concept will emerge rom an un-derstanding o the relationships between thor-oughare types and context zones, along withother unique project circumstances, values, orobjectives. Additionally, a thoroughares mod-al emphasis should be clearly identifed in theproject concept phase. Chapters 3 and 5 pro-

vide the tools or corresponding specifc thor-oughare types to various contexts and describehow to prioritize design elements and assemblethe cross sections based on context and poten-tially constrained conditions. Data input to theproject concept phase o project developmentshould include inormation relating to land usedevelopment patterns and design eatures that

support present conditions and, equally impor-tant, the vision or the uture context.

Project Planning and Alternatives Analysis:Includes development and evaluation o alter-nativesandenvironmentalreview.Tedevelop-mentoalternativesmayusethetechniquesanddesigncriteriapresentedinthisreport,includingaccessibility.Eachalternativeshouldincorporatetheappropriatedesigncharacteristicscompatiblewiththecontext.

Preliminary Engineering and Final Design:

Te processes described in Part 3 o this re-portthorougharedesigncontrols

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