Applying the Road Diet for Livable Communities

Jennifer A. Rosales, P.E.Lead Transportation Engineer

Professional Associate

Presentation to ITE International Annual Meeting

August 9, 2005

Overview

• What is a “Road Diet”

• Livability Evaluation

• Case Studies

• Conclusions

“Road Diet” Concept

• Lane Reduction

• Four-to-two lane conversion– Accommodates existing

and future travel without widening

• Benefits to all modes of transportation

“Road Diet” Concept

Safety benefits– Reduced vehicle

speeds– Reduced collisions

and injuries– Reduced conflict

points– Improved sight

distance

“Road Diet” Concept

Benefits to all users– Improved mobility and access– Improved livability and quality of life– Economic and community goals

“Road Diet” Case Studies

• Vancouver, Washington

• Clear Lake, Iowa

• Athens, Georgia

• Toronto, Canada

• Duniden, New Zealand

Livability Survey• Purpose – examine livability impacts• Survey modeled from Livable Streets

– Street perceptions including traffic, safety, comfort

– Street life activities– Recommended Improvements– Reactions to Road Diet

• Survey medium varied

“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

“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% No

Photo credits: Todd Boulanger, COV

“Road Diet” Case Studies

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

in 1999– Re-striping– Bike lanes

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

“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% No

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

“Road Diet” Case StudiesKaikorai Valley Road in Dunedin,

New Zealand– Arterial ~ 10,000 ADT– 4 to 2 lanes with CTL/median– 2003 conversion– Cycle lanes and landscaping– Improved safety, mobility and

access for all users

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

“Road Diet” Case StudiesKaikorai 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 StudiesUS 18 in Clear Lake, Iowa

– State Highway ~ 12,000 ADT– Re-striping project in 2003– 4 to 2 lanes with CTL– Extra width – shoulders– Highway through town

“Road Diet” Case StudiesUS 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

“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

“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

Handbook for Livable Streets: Setting Trends by Applying the Road Diet

ForwardAcknowledgements1.0 Introduction2.0 Previous Studies3.0 Case Studies 4.0 Guidelines for Identifying and

Evaluating Potential Road Diet Candidate Sites

ReferencesGlossary of Terms and Abbreviations

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.Parsons Brinckerhoff

Portland, Oregon, USA

rosales@pbworld.com(503) 478-2347