NACTO Designing Cities Conference 2015

Austin Residential

Shared Streets Pilot

Program

Hans Monderman

“a public space where movement is subject to

social protocol and informal regulation, not

traffic rules."

Shared Streets defined

"Introducing ambiguity is central to shared space," explains Hamilton-Baillie. "If people feel unsafe that's good because they will then be cautious as they interact with traffic".

BEFORE

AFTER

Shared Streets in Austin

Sidewalks in Austin

Existing Sidewalk

2,360miles

Absent Sidewalk

2,270miles

Absent Sidewalk Prioritization

Scoring Categories

• Pedestrian

Attractors

• Pedestrian Safety

Innovative Project Delivery

New Sidewalks 2006 -2015

New Sidewalk 120+ miles

Ramp Repairs 3,500+

Expenditures $71MNOTE: Figures do not include repairs performed by Street & Bridge crews

or work included in Street Reconstruction projects.

South (South) Congress

Sidewalk Master Plan Update (draft)

Develop Shared

Space Pilot

Program for

neighborhoods

with the following

characteristics:

• Primarily Residential

• Low speed and

volume of cars

• No sidewalks

• On-street parking

Successful Shared Space Principles

Establish Gateways

Design for Slow Speeds

Consider the Context

Involve Stakeholders

Work with Existing Guidance

Evaluate Effectiveness

1

2

3

4

5

6

Shared Space Scenario Analysis

University of

Texas Civil

Engineering

senior project

• Pedestrian

Advisory Council

Presentation

Nov 2nd

Analysis Area

• 8 blocks of

very high

priority absent

sidewalks

• Topographic

and ROW

constraint

• Estimated cost

for complete

sidewalks

$1.1M - $ 1.4 M

East 8th Street: constrained ROW

Mill Street: constrained ROW

Typical Block

Shared Space Concept

Challenges

• Texas Transportation Code municipality can not set speed limit below 25 mph1

• Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)

• Accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• Maintenance

• Community Support

1: Exceptions available for school zones, alleys and small municipalities

Opportunities

• Engage with key stakeholders to address technical issues early in pilot process

• Tactical Urbanism – building on successful City Programs

• New 10 -1 City Council provides increased neighborhood engagement opportunities

Build on Successes

Questions

City of AustinPublic Works DepartmentSidewalks and Special Projects DivisionJohn Eastmanjohn.eastman@austintexas.gov

http://austintexas.gov/department/pedestrian-program