Built Environment Childhood Obesity Forum September 15, 2010 TITLE Why do we have cities? Boston MA To minimize travel & maximize exchange (bring people closer together)
How have we built our urban roadway system? To facilitate travel over longer distances Las Vegas NV Las Vegas NV
Portland OR Driveways built like sidewalks encourage low speed turns; driveways built like roads encourage high speed turns. Many factors influence the built environment: Land use Street connectivity Access management Site design Level of Service
Why are sidewalks discontinuous? Because they re often built by developers Fredericksburg VA Activity Scale and Distribution The average size of an elementary school in the U.S. has grown from 155 students in 1950 to 473 in 2000. America has gone from having 81 grocery stores per million persons in 1977 to 35 per million in 1997. In 1970, there were 34 hospitals per million persons. In 2000 there were 20.
Street Connectivity <- 1 mile square -> <- 1 mile square -> 3 left turns! Connected Streets Lollipop pattern Connectivity creates a pedestrian-friendly street system by: Reducing walking distances; Offering more route choices, more quiet local streets; Dispersing traffic reducing reliance on arterials for all trips
High Connectivity Travel Lanes Required Moderate Connectivity Low Connectivity Access Management The systematic control of the location, spacing, design, and operation of: Driveways and Street Connections Medians Median Openings Turn Lanes Traffic Signals Interchanges
Access Management Atlanta GA Every driveway is a potential conflict Access Management => fewer conflicts at driveways 2 techniques: (1) median (restrict left turns) (2) consolidate driveways (1) (2)
Rethinking The Role Of Urban Streets A complete street accommodates many uses and provides for all purposes of a street: Mobility (all modes) Access to destinations Thriving businesses Beauty
Sidewalks bike lanes special bus lanes Complete Streets comfortable and accessible transit stops frequent crossing opportunities median islands accessible pedestrian signals curb extensions narrower lanes tight curb radii and more Why is the RTC putting roads on diets A road diet reduces the lanes from 4 lanes to 2 travel lanes with a two-way center turn lane. The lane reduction usually allows for The lane reduction usually allows for bicycle lanes, a better pedestrian environment, and often better parking.
Benefits of Road Diets? Reduced vehicle speeds Reduced crash potential Improved sight distance Improved pedestrian facilities Improved bicycle facilities More on-street parking Through traffic conflicts.. 6 conflict points vs. 2 conflict points
Intersection conflicts 8 conflict points vs. 4 conflict points Wells Ave, Reno, NV Before Diet.
Wells Ave after diet. Wells Ave after diet.
Wells Avenue Comparisons Speeds (posted 30 mph): Pre-project 2002 85 th percentile = 39.0 mph Post-project 2007 85 th percentile = 30.8 mph (24% reduction) Crashes: Pre-project 2001-2002 = 123 Post-project 2004-2005 = 85 (31% reduction) Mayberry Drive, McCarran to 4 th St. before 4 lanes, no bike lanes
Mayberry Drive, McCarran to 4 th St. Road diet 4 to 3 lanes adding bike lanes El Rancho Blvd, Reno, NV Before diet..
El Rancho Drive.after diet California Ave, Reno, NV (Mayberry Drive to Virginia St.) Could be areas first shared use lane with colored bike lane.
S.E. McCarran Blvd, Longley Lane to Greg St. RTC Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee New Bike Map
Regional Bikeways and Pedestrian Plan Assess existing facilities Create future Bicycle System Map An accessibility plan for people with disabilities A prioritized list of improvement projects Policy and ordinance recommendations Facility Design Manual Application for Bicycle Friendly Community Status The Built Environment Makes a Difference! A3year 3-year study of more than 12,000 children in grades 8 through 10 found that children are far more likely to be active and less likely to be obese if they live in neighborhoods where they can walk and bike safely; and have access to parks, sports, and fields. The Association Between Community Physical Activity Settings and Youth Physical Activity, Obesity, and Body Mass Index., The Journal of Adolescent Health., Slater, Ph.D, Powell, PhD., Chaloupka, Ph.D., Johnston, PhD., O Malley, PhD. (published online June 10, 2010).
Building Facilities is not Enough Children don t understand the negative impact of a sedentary lifestyle on their future health. Yes, if we build good facilities, children will use them; but more children will be active if they see adults making active transportation choices. Carol Perry 775-335-1920 cperry@rtcwashoe.com TITLE