2013 Session: 682

• Assessing the Environmental Capacity of Local Residential Streets
  Abstract: The inherent conflict between the residential amenity and traffic access functions of local streets causes debate on what constitutes a true “local” road. The concept of ‘environmental capacity’ was developed to identify a suitable maximum traffic volume on such local streets. In separate research in the 1960s – 1970s, both Buchanan and Appleyard settled on broad-brush traffic thresholds of 2,000-3,000 vehicles per day. Since then, other research has relied heavily on these original findings; this paper investigates that presumption in the present day.A residents’ survey was applied to four conventional “local” streets with varying traffic volumes in Christchurch, New Zealand. Residents living on those streets with higher volumes felt that their streets were busier, noisier and less safe. There was also an increasing trend for residents along higher volume streets to have their houses turned away from the street and they tended to have less personal involvement and/or knowledge of their neighbors. A more appropriate environmental capacity appeared to be around 1,500-2,000 vehicles/day.A subsequent study looked at further Christchurch streets, this time with street treatments, such as street calming and tree plantings, aiming to see whether the street treatments affected the perceived environmental capacity. As well as reinforcing most of the previous conclusions, a higher environmental capacity of around 2,000 vehicles/day was found for the surveyed streets. This suggests that appropriate street treatments can increase the environmental capacity, which has implications for local councils who want to maintain road traffic carrying capabilities without having unsatisfied residents.
  Authors: Koorey, Glen F; Leckie, Andrew; Chesterman, Rhys
  Authors: Koorey, Glen F; Leckie, Andrew; Chesterman, Rhys
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Policy
  Session: 682
  Paper Number: 13-3546
• Reclaiming the Right-of-Way: Best Practices for Implementing and Designing Parklets
  Abstract: Road space comprises a significant amount of acreage in US cities, and at least since the last century, it has been the exclusive domain of the automobile. Many cities are beginning to use innovative techniques and design treatments, such as parklets, to reclaim some of the excess road space for pedestrian uses. Parklets emerge from the low-cost conversion of small and underutilized residual spaces originally devoted to cars into spaces for the passive or active recreation of people. The idea of the parklet in its current expression emerged in San Francisco in the form of temporary, one-day installations intended to extend the social life and pedestrian space of the sidewalk into parking spaces. Cities including Philadelphia, Long Beach, Oakland, and many others have initiated or are in the process of planning parklet programs. This research examines how cities have implemented their parklet programs including considerations for departments involved, understanding permitting issues, and setting design guidelines. Additionally, the research examines specific sites to investigate how designers have translated design guidelines into safe, comfortable, and well-used spaces for people to enjoy. Interviews with city staff, designers, and business owners provide evidence towards best practices and recommendations for anyone wanting to use this innovative practice for transforming space within the right-of-way.
  Authors: Brozen, Madeline; Loukaitou-Sideris, Anastasia
  Authors: Brozen, Madeline; Loukaitou-Sideris, Anastasia
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Policy
  Session: 682
  Paper Number: 13-0464
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Reclaiming the Right-of-Way: Best Practices for Implementing and Designing Parklets
  Authors: Brozen, Madeline
  Authors: Brozen, Madeline
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Policy
  Session: 682
  Paper Number: 13-0464
• Assessing the Environmental Capacity of Local Residential Streets
  Authors: Koorey, Glen
  Authors: Koorey, Glen
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Policy
  Session: 682
  Paper Number: 13-3546
• Targeted Pedestrian Safety Analysis and Project Planning in New York City
  Authors: Roe, Matthew
  Authors: Roe, Matthew
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Policy
  Session: 682
  Paper Number: P13-6495