Context Sensitive Design for Urban Transportation in West Philadelphia

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Context Sensitive Design for Urban Transportation in West Philadelphia"

Hubert McDonald
8 years ago
Views:

1 Context Sensitive Design for Urban Transportation in West Philadelphia Transportation Research Board 85 th Annual Meeting 24 January 2006 Jeffrey M. Casello University of Waterloo Robert Wright City of Philadelphia Department of Streets Vukan R. Vuchic University of Pennsylvania

2 Presentation Outline 1. Introduction: University location, character and challenges; Campus / City transportation context sensitive objectives. 2. Design Projects: Traffic calming measures; Intersection configuration and signal timings; Parking / Loading facilities. 3. Policy Needs: Bicycles; Enforcement; Transit. 4. Pedestrian Designs 5. Lessons Learned Transferability of Results

3 Introduction The University of Pennsylvania Campus

4 Introduction The University of Pennsylvania Campus

5 Introduction The University of Pennsylvania Campus I-76 Schuylkill Expressway University of Pennsylvania campus 30 th Street Station Center City Philadelphia Children s Hospital and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) Central campus

6 Introduction Objectives for an Urban Campus 1. Safety: Pedestrian; Bicyclists; Motorists. 2. Capacity: Vehicular capacity; Bicycle network; Commercial vehicle operations. 3. Public Transportation: Increased ridership; Improved operation; Enhanced image. 4. Parking Appropriate supply; Pricing and policy.

7 Design Solutions Walnut Street Bridge 1. Background: Pennsylvania State Highway 3 (westbound). Structure constructed in 1990 to DOT standards. Philadelphia Inquirer: The Walnut Street Bridge, completed in 1990, is a case in point. There, PennDOT inserted a piece of interstate highway into a fine-grained Center City neighborhood, replacing an interesting, century-old span. The new bridge's cartway is wide, the sidewalks are narrow, and the amenities are zero.

8 Design Solutions Walnut Street Bridge Original Design 1. Geometry: 13.4 m curb to curb; 3 (4) through travel lanes; ~4% vertical downgrade. 2. Parking: Limited, off-peak only. 3. Amenities: 2.45 m sidewalk; No designated bike lanes.

9 Design Solutions Walnut Street Bridge Redesign 1. Geometry: 2 through travel lanes; Left turn only lanes. 2. Parking: Increased on-street parking; On- and off-peak. 3. Amenities: Designated 1.5 m bike lanes. New lighting; Proposed streetscaping. 4. Results: Lower speeds; Fewer personal injury accidents.

10 Design Solutions Walnut Street Bridge Cross Sections

11 Design Solutions Walnut Street Bridge Plan View

12 Design Solutions Walnut Street Bridge Plan View

13 Design Solutions 34 th and Walnut St. Intersection 1. Background: Major pedestrian movements; Conflicts for turning vehicles; Commercial vehicle access; Frequent transit service.

14 Design Solutions 34 th and Walnut St. Reconfiguration 34 th and Walnut original design 34 th and Walnut revised design

15 Design Solutions 34 th and Walnut St. Reconfiguration 1. Geometry: Additional through lane; Right turn only lane. 2. Parking: Removal of approximately 8 spaces. 3. Bicycle: Designated 1.5 m bike lanes. 4. Signal Timing: 5 second all-red phase. 5. Results: Improved pedestrian safety; Slightly reduced vehicle delay (Improved LOS).

16 Design Solutions Spruce St. 1. Major traffic generators: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; Children s Hospital of Philadelphia; University commercial and residential space. 2. Careful design for stopping and parking bays; 3. Major pedestrian movements. Union Quadrangle HUP CHOP

17 Design Solutions Spruce St. Redesign 1. Geometry: No reduction in through capacity. 2. Parking: Accommodation of short-term parking; Hospital access; Commercial delivery for University buildings; Taxi for University residences. 3. Bicycle: Designated 1.5 m bike lanes east and westbound.

18 Design Solutions Spruce St. Redesign

19 Policy Needs: Bicycles 1. Large volumes; 2. Desirable mode; 3. Weaknesses in University Policy: Concentrates on behavioral restrictions. Walnut St. Spruce St Bicycles :00 12:00 3:00 5:00 34th St. 37th St. 38th St Bicycles :00 12:00 3:00 5:00 34th St. 37th St. 38th St. Time (30 min.) Time (30 min.)

20 Policy Needs: Bicycle Policies 4. Ubiquitous network; Problems remain in eastbound connection to center city.

21 Policy Needs: Enforcement of Context Sensitive Objectives 1. Success of goals dependent on enforcement; 2. University of Pennsylvania Police Force: Joint jurisdiction with Philadelphia Police; Issue moving and parking violations; Involved in planning and design of facilities.

22 Policy Needs: Transit Systems Enhancements 1. Ubiquitous transit network. 30 th Street Station University City Regional Rail Station Legend: Regular bus on street Light rail in tunnel Light rail on street Heavy rail (subway) Regional rail U. City LUCY service

23 Policy Needs: Transit Systems Enhancements 2. Transit System Integration: Street design elements to improve attraction; Ensure safe pedestrian / bicycle access; Fare payment methods; Coordination with parking policy.

24 Projects Under Consideration: Pedestrian Facilities 1. Two Major Mid-block Pedestrian Crossings:

25 Projects Under Consideration: Pedestrian Facilities 2. Proposal to heighten pedestrian awareness:

26 Achieving Context Sensitive Solutions UPenn Lessons 1. Requires project champions; 2. Should emphasize on safety; 3. Demonstrate that context sensitive solutions need not result in lower capacity; 4. Document technical aspects. Pre- and post-construction speed/delay studies; Give special attention to site-specific conditions (hospital); 5. Engage all stakeholders; 6. Obtain cooperation of higher tier governments; 7. Seek creative funding.

27 Aknowledgements Special thanks to: Christopher Puchalsky Kate Williams University City District

Measuring the Street:

Measuring the Street: New Metrics for 21st Century Streets 1 Measuring the Street: New Metrics for 21st Century Streets New York City s streets are constantly called on to the meet new and varied needs