Road Diets Jennifer A. Rosales, P.E. Senior Professional Associate Supervising Transportation...

Road Diets

Jennifer A. Rosales, P.E.Senior Professional Associate

Supervising Transportation Engineer

Presentation to ACEC/ODOT

April 15, 2008

Overview

• What is a “Road Diet”

• Road Diet Handbook

– Case Studies

– Feasibility Factors

– Design Guidelines

Road Diet Concept

• Lane Reduction

• Four-to-two lane conversion

• Benefits to all modes of

transportation

– Improved mobility and access

– Improved livability and quality of life

– Economic and community goals

Photo simulation by Todd Boulanger, COV

Road Diet Concept

Safety benefits– Reduced vehicle

speeds– Reduced conflict

points– Improved sight

distance

- Improved pedestrian & bike safety

Graphics by PB

Road Diet Concept

• Minimal effect on capacity

• ADT thresholds

• Traffic diversion 2-15

percentPhoto by James Hencke, PB

Road Diet Concept

• Simple as re-striping

• Cost-effective

• Optional enhancements

• Enhances environment

Photo by GB Arrington, PB

Photo by James Hencke, PB

Road Diet Concept

Other Road Diet Examples– One-way streets– Three to two

lanes– Six to five lanes

Road Diet Handbook: Setting Trends by Livable Streets

Foreword

Acknowledgments

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Previous Studies

3.0 Case Studies

4.0 Road Diet Guidelines

Appendices

References

Graphic Courtesy of PB

PB’s commitment to Sustainability

Road Diet Case Studies

• Vancouver, Washington

• Clear Lake, Iowa

• Athens, Georgia

• Toronto, Canada

• Dunedin, New Zealand

Graphic Courtesy of PB

Livability Survey

• Purpose – examine livability impacts

• Survey modeled from Livable Streets– Street perceptions including traffic, safety,

comfort

– Street life activities

– Reactions

• Survey medium varied

Photo by GB Arrington, PB

Road Diet Case Studies

Fourth Plain Boulevard in Vancouver, Washington

– Arterial ~ 17,000 ADT

– Re-striping project in 2002

– Bike lanes

– ADA ramps & utilities

– Improved safety, mobility and

access for all users

Photo credits: Todd Boulanger, COV

BeforeBefore

AfterAfter

Road Diet Case StudiesFourth Plain Boulevard in Vancouver,

Washington– Crashes 52 %

– Traffic speeds 18 %

– No traffic diversion

– Pedestrian & bike benefits

– Redevelopment and renovations

– Measured economic growth

– Easier to cross street

– Street “feels” safer

– 67% Yes, 21% Maybe, 12% NoPhoto credits: Todd Boulanger, COV

BeforeBefore

AfterAfter

Road Diet Case Studies

Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia– Arterial ~ ADT 20,000– Safety Demonstration Project

in 1999– Re-striping– Bike lanes– Transit corridor

Photo credits: David Clark, Athens-Clarke County, GA

AfterAfter

BeforeBefore

Road Diet Case Studies

Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia– Overall crashes 53 % and at

unsignalized locations 60%

– Traffic Diversion ~ 4%

– Easier to cross street

– Slower speeds

– Home and business improvements

– Perceived number of lanes and street width is "just right"

– 47% Yes, 33% Maybe, 20% NoPhoto credits: David Clark, Athens-Clarke County, GA

AfterAfter

BeforeBefore

Road Diet Case Studies

Kaikorai Valley Road in Dunedin, New Zealand

– Arterial ~ 10,000 ADT

– 2003 conversion

– 4 to 2 lanes with CTL/median

– Cycle lanes and landscaping

– Exist Parking

– Project length ~ 2.4 km (1.5 mi)

Photo credits: Ron Minnema, Traffic Engineer, Dunedin City Council

Road Diet Case Studies

Kaikorai Valley Road, Dunedin, NZ

Road Diet Case Studies

Kaikorai Valley Road in Dunedin, New Zealand

– Crashes 30 %

– Pedestrians and bicyclists

– No traffic diversion

– Perceived # of lanes and street width "just right"

– Home and business improvements

– 42% Yes, 31% Maybe, 27% No

Photo credits: Ron Minnema, Traffic Engineer, Dunedin City Council

Road Diet Case Studies

US 18 in Clear Lake, Iowa– State Highway ~ 12,000 ADT

– Re-striping project in 2003

– 4 to 2 lanes with TWLTL

– Extra width – shoulders

– Highway through town

Photos by Jennifer Rosales, PB

Road Diet Case Studies

US 18 in Clear Lake, Iowa– Crashes 65 %

– Aggressive speeding 52%

– Adequate traffic operation & good mobility

– Mixed perceptions - striping confusing

– Livability benefits still to be realized

Photos by Jennifer Rosales, PB

Road Diet Case Studies

St. George Street in Toronto, Canada– Minor Arterial ~ ADT 7,500

– Through University campus

– Two project phases ’93 & ‘96

– Cycle lanes, on-street parking, wider sidewalks, urban landscaping

– Alternate paving materials

Photos by Jennifer Rosales, PB

Road Diet Case Studies

Road Diet Case StudiesSt. George Street in Toronto,

Canada– Crashes 40 %

– Pedestrians and bicycles

– No traffic diversion

– Easier to cross street

– Perceived slower speeds, "feels safer,” perceived increase in pedestrians and bicyclists

– 81% Yes, 12% Maybe, 6% No

Photos by Jennifer Rosales, PB

Road Diet Example – Tacoma Street, Portland

• Curb Extensions• Refuge Islands

• ADT 30,000• 4 lanes to 2 lanes

with center turn lane• On-street parking

• Traffic Diversion – minimal

• Peak hour traffic- spread

• Overall Traffic

• Speeding Decreased

• Increased parking

• Improved pedestrian environment

BeforeBefore

AfterAfter

Road Diet Example – Tacoma Street, Portland

Road Diet Handbook: Setting Trends by Livable Streets

Foreword

Acknowledgments

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Previous Studies

3.0 Case Studies

4.0 Road Diet Guidelines

Appendices

References

Graphic Courtesy of PB

Road Diet Guidelines – Identification and Evaluation

• Feasibility Factors– Roadway Function and

Environment

– Overall Traffic Volume and Level of Service

– Turning Volumes and Patterns

– Frequent-Stop and Slow-Moving Vehicles (Agriculture, Buses, Buggies)

Reference: Knapp, Keith and K. Giese, Guidelines for the Conversion of Urban Four-Lane Undivided Roadways to Three-Lane Two-Way Left-Turn Lane Facilities Final Report, Iowa State University, April 2001.

Road Diet Guidelines – Identification and Evaluation

• Feasibility Factors, cont.– Weaving, Speed, and

Queues – Crash Types and Patterns– Pedestrian and Bicycle

Activity – Right-of-Way Availability,

Cost, and Acquisition Impacts

– Presence of Parallel Routes – Other Contextual

Considerations Reference: Knapp, Keith and K. Giese, Guidelines for the Conversion of Urban Four-Lane Undivided Roadways to Three-Lane Two-Way Left-Turn Lane Facilities Final Report, Iowa State University, April 2001.

Design Guidelines and Concepts

• Traveled Way• Suggested Left-Turn

Treatments• Transitions• Bicycle Facilities• On-Street Parking • Pedestrian Realm

Graphic Reference: MUTCD, Federal Highway Administration, 2003.

Typical Road Diet Cross-Sections

Graphics Courtesy of PB

Traffic Calming and Roundabout Options

• Pavement texturing/coloring• Curb extensions• Medians• Landscaping• Street trees• Narrow streets• On-street parking• Chicanes• Chokers• Raised crosswalks• Raised intersections• Diagonal diverters• Selective enforcement

Photo by Jennifer Rosales, PB

Green Street Options/Enhancements

• Street Trees

• Reduced Imperviousness

• Permeating or Eliminating Curb and Gutter

• Vegetative Filter Strips

• Swales

• Linear Detention Basin

• Infiltration Trench

• Infiltration Basin

• Solar

Photos by Jennifer Rosales, PB

• Pavement reconstruction project or jurisdictional transfer

• Other supporting conditions such as parallel route

• Consider community requests• Tech evaluation and

community involvement – keys to success

• Pilot project study• With other corridor

improvements• With concurrent pavement

overlay projects.

Planning

Implementing

• Public Education• Manage community

expectations• Consider focus groups,

workshops, open houses• Consider traffic calming• Consider “greening”• Include access management

strategies• Address key intersection

operations• Repair sidewalks and ramps• Police enforcement

Road Diets - Summary

• Meet transportation need

• Safety benefits

• Livability Benefits

• Asset to the community

• Compatible with the environment

• Cost-effective

• “Better than Before”

Contact Information

Jennifer A. Rosales, P.E.

PB

rosales@pbworld.com