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Title:

Livability Impacts of Geometric Design Cross-Section Changes from Road Diets

Accession Number:

01004380

Language:

English

Abstract:

A "road diet" entails converting a four-lane undivided roadway to a two-lane roadway plus a two-way left turn lane by removing a travel lane in each direction. The remaining roadway width can be converted to bike lanes, on-street parking or sidewalks. In cities throughout the world, roadways have been put on "road diets," and these improvements have generated benefits to all modes of transportation including transit, bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists. These benefits include reduced vehicle speeds, improved mobility and access, reduced collisions and injuries, and improved livability and quality of life. This paper explores the livability impacts of the geometric changes produced by road diet projects. These livability impacts have not been previously evaluated in any research effort or manner. The impacts of the road diet cross section evaluated include improved quality of life, street character, and comfort and safety for pedestrians, bicycles, and transit. The content, application, and results of a public opinion livability survey are presented. The survey was administered along four-lane undivided and three-lane streets with comparable width, character, and traffic flow. The livability survey solicited information from people living and working adjacent to the streets with factors directly related to its livability. Five sites were chosen for the survey and data collection in Washington, Iowa, and Georgia, and in Canada and New Zealand. The focus of the paper is on the impacts of geometric changes in roadway cross section on livability and context sensitivity.

TRIS Files:

HRIS

Media Type:

CD-ROM

Pagination:

15p

Authors:

Rosales, Jennifer A

rosales@pbworld.com

Knapp, Keith K

Phone: 608-263-6314
Fax: 608-263-3160
knapp@epd.engr.wisc.edu
University of Wisconsin, Madison

Monograph Accession #:

01004374

Publication Date:

2005

Conference:

3rd International Symposium on Highway Geometric Design

Location: Chicago Illinois, United States
Date: 2005/6/29 to 2005/7/1
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board; American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials; Federal Highway Administration; American Society of Civil Engineers; Association Mondiale de la Route; International Road Federation; Institute of Transportation Engineers; National Association of County Engineers; Transportation Association of Canada; Chicago Department of Transportation; Illinois Department of Transportation; Illinois State Toll Highway Authority

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 USA

Availability:

Transportation Research Board Business Office

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 USA

Features:

Figures (3) ; Photos (2) ; References (9)

Index Terms:

Accessibility; Benefits; Bicycles; Canada; Comfort; Context sensitive design; Cross sections; Four lane highways; Geometric design; Georgia; Highway design; Highway safety; Impact studies; Iowa; Livable streets; Mobility; New Zealand; Pedestrians; Public opinion; Public transit; Quality of life; Road diets; Speed control; State of Washington; Three lane highways; Traffic safety; Washington (State)

Subject Areas:

Design; Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Public Transportation; Society; I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure

Last Modified:

Sep 30 2005 3:32PM