NACTO Urban Street Design Guide at TRB annual Meeting in 2014 - UPDATED and Moved to the AM Session on Sunday

I have been invited to share some perspective on traffic signal operations for the Street Design Guide.

TRB 2014 Workshop on NACTO Urban Street Design Guide

Sunday, January 12, 2014

9:00am – 12:00pm

Hilton Hotel

Summary

NACTO’s Urban Street Design Guide charts the principles and practices of the nation’s foremost engineers, planners, and designers working in cities today. A blueprint for the 21st century street, the guide offers an inside perspective into how cities can transform their streets to confront the demands and challenges of the near future. From public plazas to BRT to stormwater management, the guide provides an in-depth overview of how to design livable, multimodal, and resilient city streets.

Topics:

9:00-9:20         Introduction and Overview of Urban Street Design Guide

Speaker: David Vega-Barachowitz, NACTO

[David will add something re. his presentation]

9:20-10:00       Complete Streets Across Different Street Types

                        Mike Flynn, NYCDOT

In an urban context, street design must meet the needs of people walking, driving, cycling, and taking transit - all in a constrained space. Mike Flynn will draw on NYCDOT’s experience in designing complete streets for different sizes and contexts.

10:00-10:10     Break

10:15-10:35     Intersection Design Principles

Michael King, Nelson/Nygaard

As focal points of activity for pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists, intersections are a critical part of the city streetscape and transportation network. Good intersection design maximizes visibility and creates a safe and intuitive space for people driving, walking and cycling, promoting economic growth and active street life.

10:35-10:55     Interim Design Strategies: Programs for Parklets and Public Plazas

Ariel Ben-Amos, Philadelphia

The use of interim materials gives cities greater flexibility when making changes to the streetscape by enabling projects to be implemented in the short term, allowing the community to weigh in on the space’s effectiveness before creating the permanent condition.  Examples of interim materials use are plazas and parklets, pedestrianizing a corridor, or redesigning complex intersections.

10:55-11:05     Break

11:10-11:30     Signalization Strategies:

Peter Koonce, Portland 

The allocation of time by traffic signals is as important as the allocation of space in governing how streets operate. Signal timing tools such as Leading Pedestrian Intervals and Split-Phasing can help ensure safe environments that support walking, bicycling, public transportation, and economic vitality.

11:30-11:50     Green Infrastructure:

Janet Attarian, Chicago

Sustainable stormwater management treats and slows runoff from impervious

roadways, sidewalks, and building surfaces. The use of bioswales, flow-through

planters, pervious strips, or pervious pavements can help capture water closer to

the source, relieving the pressure on waste systems and decreasing ponding and

roadway flooding.