Complete Streets, Complete PlacesNorman W. Garrick

University of Connecticut

New Generation Manualsfor Urban Streets

Chicagoans experience city life through its streets.

We must build and maintain our roads for healthy business districts, vibrant neighborhoods, and high quality of life

– and move away from the narrow perspectives of the past.

We must measure success on safety, choices, and livability.

Gabe Klein, Commissioner, CDOT

http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/cdot/Complete%20Streets/CompleteStreetsGuidelines.pdf

ReleasedApril 2013

Storrs, CT2011

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Why do we need Complete Streets?

Economic vitality and viability

Traffic safety

Travel choices

Sustainable access and travel

Three Patterns for Complete Streets

1. Connected and Complete Street Network

Complete streets function as part of a connected and complete street network with different types of streets serving different functions

2. Convenience, Comfort and Safety for Vulnerable Road Users

Complete streets are convenient, safe and comfortable for all, but especially for vulnerable road users

3. Sense of Place

Complete streets are places. Never just conduits for travel

Element 1Design Connected and Complete Street

Networks

Street Networks

versus

Risk of Severe Injury or Fatality*

Chance of being Severely Injured

30% Higher

Chance of being Killed

50% Higher

*Given that an injury occurred

Odds of Dying in a Road Accident based on Intersection Density*

1 in 200

1 in 500

*Given that an injury occurred

Percentage of People Walking, Biking or Taking Transit

Percentage of People Walking, Biking or Taking TransitEffect of Intersection Density for Gridded Network

Designing Connected Networks

www.cnu.org/sites/www.cnu.org/files/sustainable_street_network_principles_op.pdf

Characteristicsof a Complete Street Network

1. High Level of Connectivity at Neighborhood

City-wide

Regional Scale

2. Frequent Intersections

3. All streets are walkable and Crossable

4. Wide variety of street types (Boulevard, Avenues, Streets, Lanes)

Element 2Design for Vulnerable Road Users

Who are the Vulnerable Road Users?

A vulnerable user is anyone who takes to the street without armor

- Stephen Plowden

http://technogreatideas.blogspot.com/2008/09/strange-and-unusual-armoured-vehicles.html

Invulnerable Road Users

Complete streets mean that we shouldn’t have to be armored to feel safe on the roads

Vulnerability of Different Types of Road Users

Chance of Dying if Injured in Road Accident

Source: Bicycle Safety and Mode Choice (Garrick 2008)Based on 24 California Cities

Chance of Pedestrian Fatality vs. Impact Speed

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.dft.gov.uk/foi/responses/2005/nov/203040message/paperaboutthedepartments20302445

Street Design Factors affecting Speed

Street cross-section Design

Intersection and Crossing Design

Relationship to Land and Building

Typical Elements of Sidewalk Zone

Context Sensitive Solutions in Designing Major Urban Thoroughfares for Walkable Communities

Typical Width on Urban Thoroughfares

9 to 12 ft

Width of All Elements vary depending on

Context

7 to 8 ft Next to ParkingWe Need > 5 feet

> 7 is probably too much

Radius

Radius

Radius of Return

Element 3Design Streets as Places

Norman W. Garrick

Traditional street in Kingston, Jamaica

Newer street in Kingston, Jamaica

Willimantic, CT

Washington, DC

Charleston, SC

Buffalo, NY

Charleston, SC

Storrs, CT2011

Storrs, CT2011

Storrs, CT2011

Storrs, CT2013

Storrs, CT2013

Storrs, CT2013

Storrs, CT2013