2001-03-19 Special Called Regular Meeting and Public Hearing

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2 e Thee specific fonns of "unwanred ttaffict recOgna::~_~i~~~~~~;@ . Traffic using the streets as shortcuts, detours (such as going around a residential block because of a left-turn prohibition on an abutting major street), or overflow from a congested arterial. . Excessive traffic speeds. . Use of curb parking spaces (with related vehicle movements in search for and leav- ing such spaces) by drivers whose destinations are outside the neighborhood. Often, such intrusion is possible because the geometry of street networks and of in- dividual streets was fIxed long before such conflicts had been visualized. But even "modern" residential subdivision streets may experience neighborhood traffIc problems. While newer designs may have mitigated the problem of unwanted through traffIc, they have, with their generous radii of curvature and ample parking lanes, done little"to reduce problems of speeders and unwanted parkers. The pervasive conflict between traffIc and residential uses has been tolerated to a greater or lesser degree throughout the world. However, demands of residents for ameliora- tion of their environment have been growing; since 1960, considerable literature in the planning and transportation fields has been devoted to analyzing the problem and outlin- ing possible solutions. This book sets forth the basic issues and goals involved in designing and operating circulation systems in residential neighborhoods to provide a more compatible relation- ship between home and traffic. It covers the planning principles and processes involved, discusses alternative design approaches, and reviews traffIc management and control tech- niques and their likely impacts. It then sets forth some procedures for evaluating neighbor- hood traffIc management proposals and suggests strategies for implementation. In moving toward a solution to neighborhood traffic problems, the skills of the politician, lawyer, and budget analyst are often needed. But the solutions tend to be those of planning, design, and operations. This book is especially intended for the creators of such solutions-urban planners, traffic engineers, and the neighborhood residents them- selves. The urban planner will bring to this effort a recognition of the importance of healthy , vital residential neighborhoods to the well-being of the urban environment, as well as an understanding of the social role of the street in the daily life ofits residents. The traffic en- gineer will recognize the role of the street as an artery and as a foot and cycle path, and the relevance of residential street problems to the basic goals of traffic control, which are to enhance: ---. -------------------- 1. safety 2. efficient movement of vehicles consonant with local conditions-arid the sat'etjoo:' ' jective 3. environmental goals, such as accessibility forlocal traffic, minimization of unneces- sarytraffic, and enco~gementC)f changes iIfmodat choice where this promotes the quality of life and/or specific objectives of a neighborhood' The residents must be part of the process; their contribution is the articulation of - values and priorities, their response to proposed plans and designs-perhaps offering in- genious alternatives of theirown-and their willingness to assist in the eventual implemen- tation. - Neighborhood traffic management does require ways of thinla"ng that may be new to both planners and engineers. Planners, who have usually focused on land uses, will fmd a need to pay closer attention to the traffic impacts of their work. Engineers, whose tradi-