Community Planning Month

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Master Plan REFRESH, City of Lancaster, CA, USA

Lancaster School District; Lancaster School District; Eastside Union School District; Westside Union School District; Antelope Valley Union High School District; Sacred Heart School; Desert Christian School; Antelope Valley Hospital; Antelope Valley Partners for Health; Antelope Valley Schools Transportation Agency; Antelope Valley Transit  Authority; Antelope Valley YMCA; Kaiser Permanente; Lancaster Sunrise Rotary Club; Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; and Team Lakays Cycling Club

The goal of this project was to update the City’s SRTS Master Plan to account for the significant changes to the built environment, school attendance zones, the economy, local work and travel patterns, and demographics that have occurred since the development of its original plan (2013).

This project was undertaken during the national shutdown prompted by the spread of COVID-19. However, the City did not want to postpone the much-needed update that it would need to support the City’s application to Cycle 6 of the Active Transportation program. Therefore, all elements of the community engagement that was done to support this update were accomplished virtually, including the walk audits which utilized PublicCordinate (an interactive map-based platform where public agencies and developers can share project information with the public to gather feedback. Users can customize it to their own projects, translate it into multiple languages, upload project photos to the map, and export fully formatted reports with summary analytics.).
 

City of Parsons’ Connected RRFB Boosts Safety and Efficiency, City of Parsons, KS USA

City of Parsons, KS 

This past July, the City of Parsons, KS installed a new pedestrian-activated warning device at a well-used crosswalk linking two sides of the community.

The system, manufactured by Carmanah Technologies, is the first of its kind to be installed anywhere in the world. Although it resembles the rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), now ubiquitous at midblock crosswalks, Parson’s RRFB has one key differentiator: built-in remote connectivity.

That means that in addition to increasing crosswalk visibility, yield rates, and pedestrian safety, the device allows city personnel to manage their assets remotely, including monitoring battery health, changing settings, and enabling alerts that ensure optimal uptime and safety.

Having the RRFBs ‘online’ also means the City will be able to gain insight into their utilization. Staff can log into the cloud software to view and download usage data like daily activation counts that can be used to demonstrate engagement and inform future investments.

Innovate Mound, Macomb County, MI, USA

Macomb County Department of Roads, HNTB, Dan’s Excavating Inc., and Ajax Paving

The Innovate Mound project is a significant investment to rebuild a major manufacturing corridor to create safe, modern, efficient, and reliable infrastructure to retain jobs today and sustain future economic growth in Macomb County. Mound Road is a roadway that connects people, communities, and commerce. It is one of the most densely packed manufacturing regions in the U.S. and supports more than 200,000 jobs in Macomb County and across the state.

Innovate Mound will strengthen the region and enhance connectivity by incorporating state-of-the-art design and smart technology to create a modern corridor. The Mound Road corridor is a showcase for the future of transportation safety and mobility, implementing a diverse degree of data-smart traffic management strategies, connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies, advanced software, automation, and scientific techniques, leveraging new regional partnerships to deliver a system that is innovative and can be extended across the county, region, and neighboring states.

The key to innovation on Mound Road is the development of a solid infrastructure and communications foundation. A hybrid (wireline/wireless) communications network is being constructed for MCDR’s signals and intelligent transportation system (ITS) infrastructure to the Communications & Technology Center (COMTEC), consisting of robust fiber optic communications and licensed wireless backhaul radios. The project is adding new capabilities that are layered on top of the infrastructure foundation to create a corridor which is forward flexible to the evolving transportation technological landscape, allowing Mound Road to be used as a test bed and validation corridor for new mobility services.

Saundersville Road Roundabout Project, City of Hendersonville, TN, US

City of Hendersonville;  Al-Neyer Commercial Real Estate Development; Kimley-Horn

The project is the result of collaboration between the City of Hendersonville and the Al-Neyer Commercial Real Estate Development to mitigate intersection impacts from a 250-unit, multi-family residential development. The roundabout enhances pedestrian and vehicular safety and operation at the intersection of Saundersville Road, a commercial access road, and Indian Lake Boulevard. This commercial access road serves as the primary ingress/egress for the proposed development, an existing multi-family residential complex, restaurants, boutiques, and big-box stores.

Prior to completion of the project, 42 crashes were recorded at the intersection in the previous five years, traffic frequently queued from the traffic signal to commercial access road, and pedestrians crossed four lanes of traffic to traverse the intersection. The newly completed Saundersville Roundabout Project facilitates controlled, continuous flow of traffic from all directions through the intersection, increased the capacity of the traffic signal by adding a left-turn lane, optimized signal timing, and improved pedestrian travel by reducing crossing lengths and providing refuges at splitter islands.

Public Works Department, Orange County, Florida; VHB Inc.; Humberto Castillero, P.E., PTOE; Dr. Masood Mirza, P.E., PTOE, (F), Lauren???? Torres, RSP1, Vibhuti Patel, P.E., Cristina Cruz

Project Overview

• A proactive approach to address neighborhood pedestrian and bicycle safety.
• Develop alternative strategies to address the mobility needs of all users along the corridor.
• Provide for safer integration of pedestrians and bicyclists with other modes of transportation, utilizing a context-sensitive approach.
• Enhance non-vehicular commute options.
• Implement “Walk-Ride-Thrive!” and “INVEST in Our Home for Life” initiatives.
• Enhance neighborhood beautification and safety.
• Bring neighbors closer and increase home values.

The Redesign of Saint-Jean Street, Roberval, QC, Canada

Individuals Involved: Jean-Luc Gagnon, Roberval City Engineer, Paul Mackey, MITE, Safestreet Inc., Guillaume Carrier, engineer at Tetra-Tech. 

The project was designed in 2020, built in 2021 and was named Project of the Year by the Quebec Association of Municipal Engineers in Sept. 2022

The City of Roberval wanted to improve the living conditions along the street in a low-income area of the town.  As part of the redesign, rather than narrowing the road on both sides, the road was shifted to create a green space in front of a row of townhouses owned by the Municipal Housing Authority.  Residents have been pleased to have a small space where their children can play under supervision in front of their home. 

The impermeable surface has been reduced there and elsewhere on the street (with planting strips), saving money on overflow features, and trees have been planted, reducing runoff and heat-island effects.  Residents have adopted the new vegetation, taking care of the bushes and trees planted on City property.  The planting strips and trees have greatly improved the aesthetics of the area. The project has also improved traffic safety and speed, to the residents’ satisfaction.

Pedestrian-Only Plaza, City of Alexandria, VA U.S.

One of the City's most successful placemaking and COVID-19 recovery initiatives during the pandemic has been the conversion of the 100-block of King Street into a pedestrian-only plaza. This plaza is the first of its kind in Alexandria, features in-street dining options, and has been incredibly popular with residents. A recent survy of 2,700 residents found that 89 percent of respondents had a positive experience with the pedestrian zone, and a strong majoirity of residents and businesss want to see the program continue.

Additionally, the City is planning to launch a Neighborhood Slow Zone pilot initiative, which will provide traffic calming and gateway treatments for neighborhoods experiencing challenges with vehicle volumes and speeds. The initiative is part of the City’s broader Vision Zero effort to eliminate fatal and severe injury crashes.

Adaptive Roadways Program, City of Calgary, AB Canada

Agencies and Organizations Involved: City of Calgary staff including Ravi Seera, Anthony El-araj, Patrick Grisak, Brian Lee, Tara Norton-Merrin, Kennith Lin, Fiona Wyllie, Robin Stanton, and Andrew Sedor.

To help provide Calgarians with the space needed to social distance and be able to walk, run, skateboard and cycle, The City of Calgary has implemented an Adaptive Roadways Program (ARP) in 2020. Under the program, road lanes are closed to motor vehicle traffic so they can be used by people who are walking, running, cycling, and rollerblading.

Over the course of the program, 14 km of adaptive roadways were installed at 20 unique locations. Calgary currently has 12 km of Cycle Track. thus, the Adaptive Roadway program has doubled the amount of separated on street active modes space in Calgary in 2020 and 2021.

With restrictions easing, and traffic flow returning to normal levels, The City analyzed what adaptive roadways had high use and are sustainable long term. Then, installed permanent infrastructure at four locations. This has added 3 km of new active modes infrastructure to the transportation network. 

West 17 Avenue and 37 Street S.W. Main Streets, City of Calgary, AB Canada

Agencies and individuals involved: City of Calgary staff including Syed Atif Ali, Natalie Coombes, Michael Magnan, Ryan Mortson, ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd., IBI Group, Alsa Road Construction

The goals of The City of Calgary’s Main Streets Program are to attract growth and investment in communities by using community planning best practices to redesign both popular and emerging streets that are cultural, social and economic focal points in the city. Main Streets are resilient, adaptable and attractive places that celebrate community character and create sustainable and vibrant communities that encourage diversity.

With that in mind, The City of Calgary is in the process of transforming West 17 Avenue S.W. and 37 Street S.W. into areas where people want to live, work and play through re-development and significant infrastructure upgrades.

Using the Main Streets Master Plan, the project team is enhancing pedestrian safety and comfort, improving mobility options, increasing green amenities, providing additional street furniture, improving connections to parks and amenities throughout the community, and advancing community destinations that will support local businesses.

By undertaking construction with a coordinated approach, The City of Calgary is renewing ageing infrastructure and transforming these streets to have a positive impact on the communities and citizens in the area.

Range Line Road Description, City of Carmel, IN, U.S. 

American Structurepoint served as the program manager/designer for the Range Line Road corridor for the City of Carmel, supported by a variety of industry consultants designing particular segments and roundabout intersections. 

The City of Carmel transformed Range Line Road from a 5-lane roadway to a pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined, multimodal roundabout corridor with protected bicycle and pedestrian pathways. A landscaped center median along the corridor eliminates left-hand turns. The corridor’s multimodal transportation options were designed to provide higher priority to pedestrian and bicycle traffic by implementing wide multi-use paths, a street-level separated cycle track, and raised crosswalks at roundabout intersections and key midblock crossing locations.

The raised crosswalks increase safety for pedestrians by physically reducing the speeds of vehicles at major pedestrian crossing areas. Higher priority for pedestrians and bicycles promotes walkability and bikeability, which contributes to an active, healthy lifestyle providing residents with reasonable alternatives to driving.

Streeteries Program, City of Stamford, CT, U.S.

Agencies and Individuals Involved: City of Stamford Transportation, Traffic & Parking Department and Stamford Downtown Special Services District                                           

Frank Petise and Luke Buttenwieser (Traffic and Parking). David Kooris, Lynne Colatrella, and Michael Moore (Stamford Downtown)

Like many places, Stamford’s restaurant industry faced significant challenges with the on-set of COVID-19 and the associated lockdowns. In response, the City of Stamford and the Stamford Downtown Special Services District (DSSD) quickly launched the Streateries program offering extended outdoor dining on the streets and sidewalks in Downtown Stamford. In 2020, this project transformed over 130 parking spaces into places for people to dine and undoubtedly saved Stamford’s restaurants. In 2021, this project was continued and upgraded to offer improved seating options and added landscaping. The City and DSSD began to look at approaches to further cement this program by permanently widening sidewalks and eliminating parking. The Transportation Department is currently in design to rebuild Summer Street to eliminate parking and widen the sidewalks by 8’ on either side to transform the outdoor dining landscape. This project shows how Stamford responded to COVID, adapted, and is planning for the future. 

Pedestrian Master Plan, City of Costa Mesa, CA, U.S.

Agencies and Organizations Involved: City of Costa Mesa and KOA Corporation

City of Costa Mesa, California was able to collect community input during the pandemic for its citywide Pedestrian Master Plan. A series of walk audits at six locations were conducted both in-person and virtually in early 2021.  Community members had the option of joining a traditional in-person walk audit or participating virtually. The socially distanced in-person walk audits, led by City staff and KOA consultant team, had 81 attendees.

Other attendees could participate on the same walk audit tour routes or additional routes on their own time using an on-line interactive tool. A total of 484 comments associated with walk audits were collected through on-line GIS tools, in-person meetings, and other social media.  These comments were considered during development of the policies and recommendations for the Pedestrian Master Plan. Public engagement for this project was spotlighted by the news media, including the Los Angeles Times.

Shared Streets and Mobility Lane, Edmonton, AB, Canada

Shared Streets and Mobility Lanes are one way we can help everyone stay safe and comply with Alberta Health Services physical distancing guidelines. This work was initiated in Spring 2020, as we adapted to the COVID pandemic. Shared Streets are open for people to use to bike, walk, or other active modes. Since all modes are using the same space with a Shared Street, the speed limit is reduced to 20 km/h.

Mobility Lanes open the use of a vehicle lane for people to use for physical activity by closing the lane to vehicle traffic and reducing speed limit to 40 km/h. The locations for 2021 were selected based on population density, pedestrian activity, type and design of the road, safety as well as feedback and data from the 2020 implementation. These temporary installations will be maintained until late Fall 2021.

Turk Play Streets and Safe Passage Park, San Francisco, CA, U.S.

COVID-19 disproportionately impacted people in the Tenderloin neighborhood, which is home to San Francisco’s most underserved communities. In collaboration with the Tenderloin Community Benefit District and Livable City, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s Play Streets program created space for families and children to play. Play Streets partners with community organizations in the most underserved neighborhoods in terms of open space and recreational opportunities, which also correlates closely with San Francisco’s largest minority communities.

In fall 2020, a weekly closure of Turk Street between Leavenworth and Jones streets provided temporary, car-free open space for children, seniors, and neighbors to enjoy every Saturday. Play Streets created places for children to play, areas for COVID-19 testing, and recreational space for neighbors. In spring 2021, the Turk Play Streets evolved into Safe Passage Park, a block-long parklet and activation space that offers community programming and collaboration.

Greenwich Avenue & Elm Street Intersection Improvement, Town of Greenwich, CT, U.S.

The Greenwich Avenue and Elm Street Intersection Improvement Project exemplifies how strategic planning can make a community more equitable and resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic. Traffic on Greenwich Avenue – the Town’s shopping and dining destination – increased during pandemic due to the public working from home and not traveling. To ensure Greenwich Avenue remains a safe and desirable place for the public, Department of Public works implemented slow streets design to the Greenwich Avenue and Elm Street intersection. Curb extensions were installed to reduce the crossing time and distance for pedestrians by up to 40 percent and sidewalks were widened into the paved roadway to slow down motorists. The roadway was raised to improve visibility between pedestrians and motorists, and the speed of vehicles. To enhance the streetscape’s appearance, green-space increased from 340 square feet to 1,860 square feet. Future projects on Greenwich Avenue include designated areas for outdoor dining.