Street Design Guide

Common RoadElements:

PedestriansSidewalks, Crosswalks, Buffers.

StreetscapeTrees, Bushes, Signs and other Street Furnishings.

BicyclesBike lane technicalities.

Motorized TrafficCar Lanes and Parking Metrics

Service TrafficGarbage, Deliveries, etc.

7’5’2’

10’8’2’

12’5’ 5’2’

13’22’

6’ 5’2’+5’+4’

19’12’ 5’2’

+5’+4’

Industrial Sidewalks

Allow for ocassional, safe pedestrian traffic. Landscaping isn’t necessary given the ubiquitousness of loading zones.

Minor Residential Sidewalks

Division between pedestrian zone and landscaping is blurry/non existent, pedestrians are protected from pseudo-heavy traffic.

Major Residential Sidewalks

Increased and defined Greenscape Zone serves to increase quality of space and protect pedestrians.

Mild Commercial Sidewalks

Pedestrian zone is increased. Might be enhanced by a bigger frontage zone and greenspace.

High Commercial Sidewalks

Broad and defined pedestrian zone. Might be enhanced by a bigger frontage zone and greenspace.

Boulevard-like Landscape

add 5’ to Greenscape Zone

+4’ to Buffer allows for Cafe

Seating and other Bldg. Frontage Amenities

Less Pedestrian Traffic

More Pedestrian Traffic

Curbs are always 6” wide

Buffer and Building Frontage:Everything that is not “public domain” or part of the pedestrian zone

Pedestrian clear walking zone

Greenscape zone

SidewalkParts

Sidewalk Inhabiting

Gre

en Walls

Plan

ters

Awnings

Increasing Street Level Transparency

Increasing porosity and/or transparency to 50% or more of the frontage at ground level directly improves the pedestrian experience. Some other add-ons such as awnings and green walls are also vast imrpovement and make the sidewalks more inhabitable.

Benches/Seating Benches can be placed perpendicular to the curb, facing it or adjacent to buildings. Different regulations apply for each case.

X - le

ngth, m

ust

have ar

mre

sts >4

’

2’

18”

2’3”

1’ gap for maintenance

5’

1’

6’

from Fire Hydrants

from Bus Shelters

from All Other Street Furnishings

1’ gap for maintenance

4’ - 5’ clear pedestrian way

5’ clear pedestrian way

5’ - 6’ clear from curb

5’ clear pedestrian way

3’ clearfrom curb

Part of Frotange Facing Curb Perpendiculat to Curb

Office, Residential and other “isolated” programs

Commercial

Other Clearance Metrics to keep in mind:

Basic BenchMeasurements

Sidewalk enhancing

Red Maple, Sweetgum, Honeylocust, London Planetree, Red Oak

Hedge Maple, American Hophornbeam, Goldenraintree, Columnar Red Maple

Magnolia, Crab Apple, Cherry, Shadblow, Eastern Redbud.

2’6” 2’6

”20’ center-to-center spacing

2’6” 2’6


2’6” 2’6


10’

15’

from Drains and

Utilities

from Lamp Posts (Med and

Large Trees)

10’from Lamp Posts (Small

Trees)

Other Clearance Metrics to keep in mind:

Sidewalk Landscaping

Single Lane

Allows for Bicycle traffic parallel to the direction of Automobiles. It ought to be wider (+1’) when placed next to parking.

Two-way LaneAllows for two-way Bicycle traffic. A 3’ buffer should be added when the traffic speeds are over 35mph.

Cycle Track

A Bicycle dedicated and buffered zone.

Shared LaneIn areas where automobile speeds are under 35mph, a shared street is an option.

4’5’

+1’

+3’ helps shelter cyclists from

traffic and other hazards.

12’15’

6’ 6’+3’

10’7’ 3’

Bike Lanes vs. Cycle Tracks

24’ 22’ 22’ 18’

24’ 16’ 20’ 14’

24’ 20’ 12’14’

90 Degree ParkingBasic DimensionsAdd 3’ for Handicap Spaces.

60 Degree Parking

45 Degree Parking

180

de

gre

es150 degrees

120 degrees

90 degrees

60 degrees

30 d

egre

es

The turning radius of a caris 35’ curb-to-curb

Fire Trucks and Service Trucks need wider turning radii, between 40’ and 50’

Parking

Chaos = Cooperation

Roads where pedestrians, cyclists and motorists have to negotiate their passage, one on one and on a case by case basis encourages all to act more cautiously and thus increasing the safety of the street. A road with too many signs tells users that “nothing can happen to you as long as you behave this way,” which disencourages paying attention to the surroundings.

Exhibition StreetLondon, England

Safer crossings for pedestrians at level without having to step down curbs, improved accessibility.Steady, average 15mph automobile traffic... instead of the previous 12mph stop - and - go scheme.Parking in the middle to encourage interaction on “shared street”Bicycle Parking sheltered by Bollards.

Reduced Emissions and Gas Expensesby allowing cars to drive thru at a steady pace rather than stopping at lights with vacant roads ahead.

Increased Retail + Pedestrian ActivityBy encouraging pedestrian activity and more engaged traffic, retail activity has increased.

60% Less Accidents!By having Pedestrians, Cyclists and Drivers negotiate their passing on a case by case basis, safer interactions are encouraged.

Woonerf - Multi-modal Streets

Fifth Avenue New YorkShared Street? 1910

Shared Streets

Segregated StreetBy segregating modes of travel, safety is decreased for all users and interactions and trade-offs reduced. The view and streetscape are thus cluttered by street signs that guarantee the un-guaranteeable: that cars will not speed nor slow down from a pre-determined speed, that pedestrians won’t jaywalk and will only cross at crossings, that bikes won’t swerve into the car lane to avoid a parked car opening its door, etc.

Shared LaneBy creating a leveled shared area, each user can negotiate their passing accordingly with fellow users. During high traffic, pedestrians can step aside and allow flow through, while during low traffic pedestrians can occupy the entirety of the space. Everyone uses caution when transiting since there’s no pre-determined “rule,” and thus judging on a case by case basis what would be the safest approach.

Shared Streets

Less Bike Friendly

More Bike Friendly

Copenhagen

Boston

New York

Bike-Friendly

Europe

America

Asia

Shared Streets

Parking at street edge Vehicles may not park within 20’-0” of an existing crosswalk._except: where a single space meter is in operation

Parking at street edge Extension of sidewalk at parking street edge should be 6’-0”from the curb, being that the width of a parked car.

20’-0”

6’-0”

Intersections

Roundabouts

Curb Radius

Minimum of 20’-0” from entry of roundabout to crosswalk_higher speed rotaries have larger diameters

curb radius of 5’-10’ used wherever possible_especially when higher pedestrian volume, low volume of large vehicles, where bicycle+parking lane make effective radius larger

maximum effective curb of 35’ for larger vehicles-factors to consider: street types, angle of intersections, curb extensions and high volume of large vehicles.

5’-10’effective radius

actual curb radius

min. 20’ - 0”

Intersections

Curb Ramp Detail

Curb Ramp Option consider the addition of a ramped curb-facilitate transition from one sidewalk to the other (in compliance with title II of ADA).

5’ minleveling landing pad

minimum length of curb extension shall be the width of crosswalk

detectable warning strips should extend the entire length of the curb line

5’ minpedestrian zone

Crosswalks

Crossing Island crossing island should be minimum of 6’-0” wide, preferable 8‘-0”-appropriate when crossing distance is greater than 50’

Crosswalk Dimension crosswalk should be minumum 10’-0” wide_25’-0” when crosswalk has high pedestrian traffic

Crosswalk Layout distance from adjacent intersection >200’uncontrolled crosswalk should not be placed within 200’-0” of another existent crosswalk.

min 10’-0” max 25’-0”

min. 6’-0” wide (8’ preferably)

> 200’-0”

Crosswalks

Street Types

pedestrian car lane car lane bike lane

6’ 10’ 10’ 5’


6’

pedestrian

6’10’ 10’ 5’

pedestrian parking car lane bike lane

6’ 7’ 10’ 12’


6’ 7’ 10’

car lane

10’ 5’


6’

median

6’7’ 10’

car lane

10’ 5’

Neighborhood Residential_Provides immediate access to residential access; characterized by lower vehicular and pedestrian traffic. _Typically no more than 2 lanes, one in each direction._Emphasis on slow speed and providing pedestrian and biker safety.


6’ 10’ 10’ 5’

Neighborhood Connector_Traverse several neighborhoods._Provides continuous walking and bicycle routes, and accommodates bus routes_May be single or multi-lane streets._Use of trees to create buffer for pedestrians.


6’

pedestrian

6’10’ 10’ 5’

__

_Located @ heart of residential part of the city._Concentrated in areas only few blocks long._Serves as hub for bycyling, motorist, pedestrians and commuters.


6’ 7’ 10’ 12’

Small Parkway_Typically 4 lane roads of uniterrupted long streches (makes it hard for pedestrians and cyclists to cross)_Usually doesn’t provide parking, but it was included to accommodate the small scale system


6’ 7’ 10’

car lane

10’ 5’

Neighborhood Main Street

pedestrian parking car lane

6’

me

7’ 10’

Small Boulevard

_Grand scale and urban design._Often with wide planted medians._Connect important civic + natural places._Trees’ canopy provide optimal walking conditions.

bike laneedian

6’

car lane

10’ 5’

+

Liveability

Access and Mobility

Pedestrian and Cyclist friendly

Flexibility

Balance

Healthy Environment

Visual Excellence

Shared Streets

Developed as part of the Code Research Portion of

Chris Genter’s Housing and Aggregation Spring

2013 Undergraduate Architecture Studio at

Northeastern University.

Street Design Guide

Documents

Transcript of Street Design Guide