Complete Streets Successes, Opportunities, and Challenges Juliet Walker, Transportation Planner, City of Portsmouth Rob Houseman, Director of Planning and Development, Town of Wolfeboro Chris Parker, Director of Planning and Community Development, City of Dover Kurt Blomquist, Director of Public Works, City of Keene
Portsmouth, NH Juliet Walker, City of Portsmouth
Why have a policy? To change practice -- consider the needs of all road users in every road project. To save money -- in the long run, retrofit projects always cost more than getting it right the first time. To provide the political and community support for doing things differently. 3"
Complete Streets Policy Commitment to following nationally recognized street design standards and reference best practices in street management City Council adopted Complete Streets Policy in October 2013
3 Related Policies 1. Complete Streets Policy Overall framework for planning, designing, constructing and maintaining a balanced transportation infrastructure 2. Bicycle Friendly Community Policy 3. Walk Friendly Community Policy Integrating bicycle and pedestrian accommodations into municipal practices and processes Supporting efforts to achieve national designation
Complete Streets Policy Four Parts: I. Vision II. Core Commitment III. Best Practices IV. Implementation
I. Vision Roadways will be convenient, safe and accessible for all transportation users, including: Pedestrians, Bicyclists, Transit vehicles and riders Children, Elderly, and People with disabilities
II. Core Commitment Plan for, design, construct, operate and maintain appropriate facilities for all users and modes Incorporate Complete Streets principles into City plans, standards, specifications, regulations, etc. Approach every transportation improvement and project phase as an opportunity to create safer, more accessible streets for all users Apply Complete Streets principles on all new public and private developments, and incrementally on existing streets through improvements over time
Exceptions Where ped/bike are prohibited Existing right-of-way limitations Cost disproportionate to need Public safety issues Adverse impacts on environment or neighboring land uses Ordinary street maintenance, or interim measures Ordinary utility maintenance
III. Best Practices Design Guidance and Flexibility Follow accepted or adopted design standards Use the best and latest design standards Context Sensitivity Reflect and enhance the context and character of the surrounding built and natural environments Performance Measures Evaluate and report progress
IV. Implementation Incorporate CS principles into all relevant plans, manuals, regulations, programs, etc. Review design standards to ensure that they effectively implement CS Encourage staff training on non-motorized transportation issues Identify funding sources Promote project coordination Annual progress report
Successes -- Recognition Ranked #7 in best Complete Streets Policies for 2013 City awarded Complete Streets Technical Assistance grant by Smart Growth America
Opportunities - Road Projects Maplewood Avenue Feasibility Study (2014) Evaluate shift from maximizing vehicle flow to accommodating curbside parking and bicyclists Market Street Gateway Corridor (2014-2015+) Enhance primary approach to downtown with streetscape, include on-road bike lane and/or separated bike path Sagamore Avenue (2013-2014+) Redesign major bicycling route in connection with new bridge Lafayette Rd / Middle St (2014-2015) Safe Routes to School project to add bicycle lanes and improve safety and access for bicyclists and pedestrians along major gatewy and connector Peverly Hill Rd (2014-2015+) Extension of sidewalks, bicycle lanes / paths, implementation of traffic calming and intersection improvements as well as drainage
Opportunities - Related Initiatives Form-Based Zoning Wayfinding Program Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan Master Plan Update
Challenges - Implementation Establishing a framework Creating design standards / updating regulations Training and coordination Effective Communication Balancing costs Measuring progress
Case Study Sagamore Ave
Case Study Market St Average Weekday of 15,000 vehicles 900 vehicles AM peak hour 1,100 vehicles PM peak hour Average speed = 43 mph Posted speed = 35 mph Primary route to Port of NH from I-95 5% of traffic Single-Unit Trucks 2% of traffic Heavy Trucks
Challenges - Implementation Establishing a framework Creating design standards / updating regulations Training and coordination Effective Communication Balancing costs Measuring progress
Wolfeboro s Efforts 21 A blended approach Context Sensitive Solutions meets Complete Streets And Tactical Urbanism Rob Houseman, Town of Wolfeboro
Project Areas 22
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Center Street 23
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Center Street 24
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Center Street 25
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Center Street 26
ARTICLE B. Center Street Reconstruction 27
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly 28
ARTICLE 5. Center Street Reconstruction 29
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly 30
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly 31
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly 32
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly 33
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly 34
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Dover, NH Chris Parker, City of Dover
Keene, NH Kürt Blomquist, City of Keene
Complete Street Success and Challenges
Keene, New Hampshire Elm City - Located in the southwestern corner of the New Hampshire - Incorporated in 1753 - Population: 22,563 (triples during the day) - Size: 34.7 Square Miles - 125 Miles of Roads, 52 Miles of Sidewalks, 80+ miles of Wastewater Mains, 100+ miles of Water mains - Serves as the County Seat - City Council-City Manger Form or Government - Home of Keene State College & Antioch New England University Best Known for: 2013 World Record for Lighted Jack-o-lanterns: 30,581 Kürt Blomquist, P.E. Public Works Director 350 Marlboro Street Keene, NH 03431 Kblomquist@ci.keene.nh.us www.ci.keene.nh.us
Complete Streets Philosophy. City s Process. Challenges/Successes.
Complete Streets Philosophy Keene has been supportive of the Complete Streets concepts for many years. 1987 Downtown Revitalization Project 1999 Council policy to evaluate the installation of bike lanes during road reconstruction projects Pedestrian and Bike improvements added to projects on a case by case basis Complete Streets Recommended in 2010 Comprehensive Master Plan Keene should make it consistent policy to design streets with all users in mind, including drivers, public transport riders, pedestrians, and bicyclist as well as older people, children, and those with disabilities. 2011 Council passed Complete Streets Resolution
Process City has had a Dig the Road Once Philosophy Desire to integrate multiple users on transportation network. Preliminary design develops several options. Meetings with neighborhoods. Incorporate concerns. Presentation in front of City Council Committee. Preferred option accepted by City Council.
Option K1 (Chokers and Bump-Outs at Neckdown)
Option K1 (Chokers and Bump-Outs With Parking)
Challenges Competing interest. Lane widths 10 11 12 (Design Vehicle). 5 Sidewalks. 5 Utility/green strips. Trees. Dedicated bicycle lanes. Parking. Public Transportation Stops. Green Infrastructure.
Typical Cross Sections 5 5 8 5 20-24 5 8 5 5 Sidewalk Grass belt Parking - Bike Lane Travel Lanes Bike Lane Parking- Grass belt Sidewalk = 66 70 5 5 5 20-24 5 5 5 Sidewalk Grass belt Bike lane Travel Lanes Bike Lane Grass belt Sidewalk = 50 54 5 5 20 24 5 5 Sidewalk Bike lane-travel Lanes-Bike Lane-Sidewalk = 35-39 5 8 20-24 5 Sidewalk-Parking-Travel Lanes-Grass belt =38-42 5 20-24 5 Sidewalk Travel Lanes Grass belt = 30 34
Challenges (continued) Right-of-way. Main St - 128 Ft, Washington St. 82 Ft, Court St 64 Ft Typical ROW s. 40 33 (2 Rods) Neighborhood Desires (Today vs Tomorrow) Cost. Reconstruction vs Rehabilitation Maintenance. Winter maintenance issues.
Questions?