Designing Roads for

Multimodal Safety & Access

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-1

 Context - Stakeholders
 All users of the transportation system
 Caltrans District Bike & Ped Coordinators
 Caltrans Advisory Groups
 Advocacy Groups
 Emergency Providers
 Legislature (AB 1358 – Complete Streets)

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-2

 Overview of pedestrian safety problem
 Nationwide:
 In 2005, 4,881 pedestrians were killed in
traffic crashes, representing 11% of all
fatalities (increase of 4.4% over 2004)
 Approximately 64,000 pedestrians were
injured

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-3

 Overview of pedestrian safety problem
 California:
 17% of all crash fatalities are pedestrians.
 14% of all crash injuries are pedestrians.

Caltrans’ Strategic Highway Safety Plan

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-4

 Overview of pedestrian safety problem
 Most pedestrian crashes occur when the
pedestrian crosses a road
 Most fatalities and serious injuries occur
on roads designed with little attention for
pedestrian safety.
 Pedestrians are rarely killed in walkable
environments.

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-5

 Presentation Outcomes
 Describe that people belong in all
geometric design, operations and safety
considerations, no matter their mode of
travel
 Describe resources for information on
scoping and designing for all modes
 Describe some measures to increase safe
interaction between all road users

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-6

 Why is it important to accommodate
pedestrians?

To reach Caltrans’ Mobility Goal

Minneapolis MN Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-7
Why is it important to accommodate
pedestrians?

Because many cannot drive

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-8
 Why is it important to accommodate
pedestrians?

Because other modes depend on walking

Madison WI Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-9
 Why is it important to accommodate
pedestrians?

Because it’s good for business

Stillwater MN Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-10
 Why is it important to accommodate
pedestrians?

e l o n g ” …
str i an s B
se “ P e d e
Be c a u
…

Because it will make roads safer for all road users

Portland ME Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-11
 Why is it important to accommodate
pedestrians?

AASHTO: “Because of the demands of vehicular traffic in

congested areas, it is often extremely difficult to make adequate
provisions for pedestrians. Yet this must be done, because
pedestrians are the lifeblood of our urban areas…” (1994 ed, p 97)
Sisters OR Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-12
Design information & guidance can be
found in established, respected documents:

Institute of Transportation AASHTO:

Engineers (ITE): www.transportation.org
www.ite.org
Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-13
Design information & guidance can be
found in established, respected documents:

HDM PDPM MUTCD

Highway Design Project Development Manual for Uniform

Manual Procedures Manual Traffic Control Devices
+ Cal Supplement

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-14

Design information & guidance can be found
in established, respected documents:

FHWA
www.walkinginfo.org

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-15

 AASHTO Strategic
Safety Plan
Guidebooks
Website for NCHRP
Report 500:
http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_500v10.pdf

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-16

US Congressional Legislation/US DOT Policy

TEA-21 (1999):
 “The non-motorized modes are an integral part
of the mission of FHWA and a critical element of
the local, regional, and national transportation
system.”
 “… mainstreaming of bicycle and pedestrian
projects into the planning, design, and operation
of our Nation’s transportation system.”

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-17

 US Congressional Legislation

Americans with Disabilities Act:

 “No qualified individual with a disability shall, by
reason of such disability, be excluded from
participation in or be denied the benefits of the
services, programs, or activities or a public
entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any
such entity.”

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-18

US DOT Policy (1999 and 2000)
FHWA Program Guidance on Bicycle and Pedestrian
Provisions of Federal-Aid Program:
 “… bicycle and pedestrian improvements can be
routinely included in federally funded transportation
projects and program.”
 “… bicycling and walking facilities will be
incorporated into all transportation projects
unless ‘exceptional circumstances’ exist.”
 “… FHWA will encourage the development and
implementation of bicycle and pedestrian plans as
part of the overall transportation planning process.”

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-19

 California Vehicle Code Section 21949

“…it is the intent of the Legislature that all

levels of government in the state,
particularly the Department of
Transportation, work to provide
convenient and safe passage for
pedestrians on and across all streets and
highways…”

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-20

 California Vehicle Code Section 21949

“It is the policy of the State of California that

safe and convenient pedestrian travel and
access, whether by foot, wheelchair,
walker, or stroller, be provided to the
residents of the state.”

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-21

 California Vehicle Code Section 21200
 “Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway
has all the rights and is subject to all the
provisions applicable to the driver of a
vehicle…except those provisions which by their
very nature can have no application”
 All roads where bicycling is not prohibited
should be designed for their use

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-22

 Streets & Highways Code Section 888,
PDPM Chapter 31, Section 2

“ The Department shall not construct…a

freeway that will result in the severance
or destruction of an existing major route
for non-motorized transportation traffic
unless it provides a reasonable, safe, and
convenient alternate route or such a route
exists.”

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-23

 Rule on. . . …
WORK ZONE
……Safety and Mobility
23 CFR 630 Subpart J

Developing and Implementing

Transportation Management Plans
for Work Zones
Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-24
 Deputy Directive (DD)-64
Complete Streets – Integrating the
Transportation System

 “ The Department views all

transportation improvements as
opportunities to improve safety,
access, and mobility for all travelers
in California and recognizes bicycle,
pedestrian, and transit modes as
integral elements of the
transportation system.” 1-25
Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction
Planning and street design elements
that affect bicyclist & pedestrian safety:
 Land use
 Connectivity
 Access management
 Site design
 Level of Service (LOS)
standards

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-26

Post WW2
development
patterns favor:
 Segregated Land Uses
 Long travel distances
 Commercial activities
concentrated in auto-
dominated corridors.
 Not very nice for
walking or biking!

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-27

 Generica

Missoula MT Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-28

 Connectivity

You live here, your

child wants to visit a
friend who lives not
far away; how do you
get there?

Cul-de-sac patterns increase walking distances

& increase reliance on arterials
Phoenix AZ Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-29
High Connectivity Travel Lanes Required

Moderate Connectivity

Low Connectivity

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-30

 Access
Management

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-31

 Access Management:
Every driveway is a potential conflict
Atlanta GA Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-32
 Drivers and pedestrians must make choices:
Walk in front or in back? Pull forward or back up?
Portland OR Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-33
Site Design

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-34

 Principles:
Access for each mode should be:
• Direct
• Safe
• Convenient

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-35

 Level of Service (LOS)
standards:
Their impact on street design
and pedestrian safety
Rethinking the role of urban
streets

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-36

 A “complete street” accommodates many uses;
Pedestrians are at low risk in this environment
Portland OR Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-37
 How have we built our highway system?

To facilitate travel over longer distances

Las Vegas NV Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-38
The various purposes
for roads:
 To move from A
to B
 For mobility
 To access our
homes,
businesses,
schools & other
community
centers
 To walk or bike:
Sidewalks provide
access & mobility
both access and
mobility
Washington DC Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-39
A multi-modal street can meet these
needs, with some tradeoffs
Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-40
 Auto-oriented street: high risk
Albuquerque NM Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-41
 What is the core safety issue?
Pedestrians and drivers must use the streets
together

 On-street parking
 Narrow cross-section
 Buildings close to street
 Sidewalks
 Crosswalk
 People!

Discussion: what does the driver see that says

“slow down, watch for pedestrians”?

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-42

Why are pedestrians are at high risk on this
street?
Multi-lane roadway, high speeds

Las Vegas NV Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-43

 Reinventing the roadway:
Transform a 5-lane commercial strip to …

Portland OR Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-44

…a safer road for everyone
Discussion: 1. What changed?
Discussion: 2. What didn’t change?
Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-45
Next:
Crash Reduction Factors

Designing Streets for Pedestrian Safety - Introduction 1-46