Document Cover Image: An ITE Recommended Practice - Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach - Graphical cover image includes photo collage of various walkways, sidewalks and roads in an urban context, includes logo of ITE: Institute of Transportation Engineers and logo for Congress for the New Urbanism

 

Notices, Preface and Acknowledgements

 

Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach

Table of Contents

 

Part 1: Introduction

Chapter 1. Foundation

Purpose of This Report

CSS and This Report

Objectives of this Report

Walkable Communities

Applicability of this Recommended Practice

Relationship to Other Guidance

Organization

Who Should Use This Report

Works Cited

Sources of Additional Information

 

Part 2: Planning

Chapter 2. Planning and Developing Context Sensitive Urban Thoroughfares

Purpose

Objectives

CSS in the Transportation Planning Process

CSS in the Project Development Process

Sources of Additional Information

 

Chapter 3. Network and Corridor Planning

Purpose

Objectives

Introduction

CSS in Network Planning

Effective Network Planning for Walkable Areas

Urban Form and Transportation Networks

Planning Urban Transportation Networks

Network Planning Principles for Walkable Urban Thoroughfares

Network Design Guidelines

Urban Corridor Thoroughfare Planning for Walkable Urban Areas

CSS Example in Corridor Planning—Developing Evaluation Criteria

An Important Note About Implementation

Works Cited

Sources of Additional Information

 

Chapter 4. A Framework for Walkable Urban Thoroughfare Design

Purpose

Objectives

Introduction

Features that Create Context

Context Zones

Thoroughfare Types

Works Cited

Sources of Additional Information

 

Part 3: Design

Chapter 5: Thoroughfare Design Process

Purpose

Applicability of Design Criteria

Objectives

Definitions

Overview of the Design Process

Flexibility in Application of Design Criteria

Design Process in Constrained Right of Way

Works Cited

 

Chapter 6: Thoroughfare Designs for Walkable Urban Areas

Purpose

Objectives

Basis for Thoroughfare Design Examples

General Walkable Thoroughfare Design Parameters

Specialized Thoroughfare Designs

Traveled Way

Streetside

Intersections

Multiway Boulevards

Design Examples

Works Cited

Sources of Additional Information

 

Chapter 7: Design Controls

Purpose

Objectives

Introduction

Design Controls Defined by AASHTO

Differences from Conventional Practice

Thoroughfare Speed Management

Additional Controls to Consider in Thoroughfare Design

Works Cited

Sources of Additional Information

 

Chapter 8: Streetside Design Guidelines

Purpose

Objectives

Introduction

The Urban Streetside: Uses and Activities

Design Principles

Design Guidance

Streetside Width and Functional Requirement

Edge Zone Principles and Considerations

Furnishings Zone Principles and Considerations

Throughway Zone Principles and Considerations

Frontage Zone Principles and Considerations

Driveway Crossing Principles and Considerations

Recommended Practice

Additional Guidelines

Justification

Works Cited

Sources of Additional Information

 

Chapter 9. Traveled Way Design Guidelines

Purpose

Objectives

Introduction

Design Considerations

Design Guidance

Lane Width

Background and Purpose

General Principles and Considerations

Recommended Practice

Medians

Background and Purpose

General Principles and Considerations

Recommended Practice

Additional Guidelines

Trees and Landscaping in Medians

Justification

Bicycle Lanes

Background and Purpose

General Principles and Considerations

Recommended Practice

Justification

On-Street Parking Configuration and Width

Background and Purpose

General Principles and Considerations

Recommended Practice

Additional Guidelines

Justification

Geometric Transition Design

Background and Purpose

Recommended Practice

Additional Guidelines

Four-Lane to Three-Lane Conversions (Road Diets)

Midblock Crossings

Background and Purpose

General Principles and Considerations

Recommended Practice

Justification

Pedestrian Refuge Islands

Background and Purpose

General Considerations

Recommended Practice

Justification

Transit Design

Background and Purpose

Types of Transit on Thoroughfares

Transit Facilities on Thoroughfares

Planning for Transit

Bus Stops in the Traveled Way

Background and Purpose

General Principles and Considerations

Recommended Practice

Justification

Special Consideration with Stormwater Management

Background and Purpose

General Principles

Guidelines

Recommended Practice

Justification

Special Consideration with Snow Removal

Background and Purpose

Recommended Practice

Works Cited

Sources of Additional Information

 

Chapter 10. Intersection Design Guidelines

Introduction

Objectives

Design Elements for Intersections in Walkable Areas

Design Guidance

Intersection Geometry

General Intersection Layout

General Principles and Considerations

Curb Return Radii

Background and Purpose

General Principles and Considerations

Recommended Practice

Justification

Channelized Right-Turns

Background and Purpose

General Principles and Considerations

Recommended Practice

Modern Roundabouts

Background and Purpose

General Principles and Considerations

Recommended Practice

Justification

Pedestrian Treatments at Intersections—Crosswalks

Background and Purpose

General Principles and Considerations

Recommended Practice

Justification

Curb Extensions

Background and Purpose

General Principles and Considerations

Recommended Practice

Justification

Bicycle Lane Treatment at Intersections

Background and Purpose

General Principles and Considerations

Recommended Practice

Justification

Bus Stops at Intersections

Background and Purpose

Recommended Practice

Works Cited

Sources of Additional Information

 

Appendix 1. Key Terms and New Concepts

 

Appendix 2. Introduction to Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS)

What is CSS

Why CSS is Important

Elements of Effective CSS

Conventional Process Versus CSS

CSS Principles, Processes and Outcomes