Abstract:
A presentation at the first Urban Street Symposium promoted the more widespread consideration and examination of four- to three-lane roadway cross section conversions. At the second Urban Street Symposium a set of guidelines for their implementation, along with other relevant ongoing and completed projects, were summarized. Several additional four- to three-lane conversion analyses have been completed since that time. This paper summarizes some of the key text from the conversion guidelines mentioned above and also presents the results of several recently completed projects that add to the current state-of-the-knowledge in this subject area. The feasibility determination factors for a potential four- to three-lane case study conversion location are then described and evaluated. The factors of special interest along this case study roadway were its desired and actual roadway function and vehicle speed, intersection operations and design, business access, truck traffic, pedestrians, right-of-way availability, and a nearby parallel railroad track. The characteristics of these and other factors are discussed and a list of observations and lessons learned from this case study application are provided. Some of the roadway factors and characteristics that should be considered early in the cross section comparison process (before more detailed design, etc.) are noted.
