Abstract:
With the advent of context sensitive design, the traditional design of urban arterials is being transformed from just moving as many motor vehicles as fast as possible, to consideration of all the users of the entire road right-of-way. This later concept has been dubbed “complete streets” and is fast becoming a popular and challenging alternative to traditional arterial street design. This paper will explore ways to make urban thoroughfares more pedestrian and bicycle friendly and respectful of the surrounding community, while not unduly compromising motor vehicle travel. The major culprit in incompatible urban arterial street design is equating high speed with roadway mobility and capacity. Techniques for designing an arterial street that can control traffic speeds, thus permitting more comfortable and safe pedestrian and bicycle access, will be described.
