What is a “Road Diet” , Livability Evaluation and Case Studies

1. Applying the Road Diet for Livable
Communities
Jennifer A. Rosales, P.E.
Lead Transportation Engineer
Professional Associate
Presentation to ITE International Annual Meeting
August 9, 2005

2. Overview
• What is a “Road Diet”
• Livability Evaluation
• Case Studies
• Conclusions

3. “Road Diet” Concept
• Lane Reduction
• Four-to-two lane
conversion
– Accommodates existing
and future travel without
widening
• Benefits to all modes of
transportation

4. “Road Diet” Concept
Safety benefits
– Reduced vehicle
speeds
– Reduced collisions
and injuries
– Reduced conflict
points
– Improved sight
distance

5. “Road Diet” Concept
Benefits to all users
– Improved mobility and access
– Improved livability and quality of life
– Economic and community goals

6. “Road Diet” Case Studies
• Vancouver, Washington • Toronto, Canada
• Clear Lake, Iowa • Duniden, New Zealand
• Athens, Georgia

7. Livability Survey
• Purpose – examine livability impacts
• Survey modeled from Livable Streets
– Street perceptions including traffic, safety,
comfort
– Street life activities
– Recommended Improvements
– Reactions to Road Diet
• Survey medium varied

8. “Road Diet” Case Studies
Fourth Plain Boulevard in
Vancouver, Washington
– Arterial ~ 17,000 ADT
– Re-striping project in 2002
– Bike lanes
– ADA ramps & utilities
– Improved safety, mobility and
access for all users
Photo credits: Todd Boulanger, COV

9. “Road Diet” Case Studies
Fourth Plain Boulevard in
Vancouver, Washington
– Crashes 52 %
– Traffic speeds 18 %
– No traffic diversion
– Pedestrian & bike benefits
– Redevelopment and renovations
– Measured economic growth
– Easier to cross street
– Street “feels” safer
– 67% Yes, 21% Maybe, 12% No
Photo credits: Todd Boulanger, COV

10. “Road Diet” Case Studies
Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia
– Arterial ~ ADT 20,000
– Safety Demonstration Project
in 1999
– Re-striping
– Bike lanes
Photo credits: David Clark, Athens-Clarke County, GA

11. “Road Diet” Case Studies
Baxter Street in Athens, Georgia
– Overall crashes 53 % and at
unsignalized locations 60%
– Traffic Diversion ~ 4%
– Easier to cross street
– Slower speeds
– Home and business improvements
– Perceived number of lanes and
street width is "just right"
– 47% Yes, 33% Maybe, 20% No
Photo credits: David Clark, Athens-Clarke County, GA

12. “Road Diet” Case Studies
Kaikorai Valley Road in Dunedin,
New Zealand
– Arterial ~ 10,000 ADT
– 4 to 2 lanes with CTL/median
– 2003 conversion
– Cycle lanes and landscaping
– Improved safety, mobility and
access for all users
Photo credits: Ron Minnema, Traffic Engineer, Dunedin City Council

13. “Road Diet” Case Studies
Kaikorai Valley Road in Dunedin, New
Zealand
– Crashes 30 %
– Pedestrians and bicyclists
– No traffic diversion
– Perceived # of lanes and street
width "just right"
– Home and business improvements
– 42% Yes, 31% Maybe, 27% No
Photo credits: Ron Minnema, Traffic Engineer, Dunedin City Council

14. “Road Diet” Case Studies
US 18 in Clear Lake, Iowa
– State Highway ~ 12,000 ADT
– Re-striping project in 2003
– 4 to 2 lanes with CTL
– Extra width – shoulders
– Highway through town

15. “Road Diet” Case Studies
US 18 in Clear Lake, Iowa
– Crashes 65 %
– Aggressive speeding 52%
– Adequate traffic operation & good mobility
– Mixed perceptions - striping confusing
– Livability benefits still to be realized

16. “Road Diet” Case Studies
St. George Street in Toronto,
Canada
– Minor Arterial ~ ADT 7,500
– Through University campus
– Two project phases ’93 & ‘96
– Cycle lanes, on-street parking,
wider sidewalks, urban
landscaping
– Alternate paving materials

17. “Road Diet” Case Studies
St. George Street in Toronto,
Canada
– Crashes 40 %
– Pedestrians and bicycles
– No traffic diversion
– Easier to cross street
– Perceived slower speeds, "feels
safer,” perceived increase in
pedestrians and bicyclists
– 81% Yes, 12% Maybe, 6% No

18. Handbook for Livable Streets:
Setting Trends by Applying the Road Diet
Forward
Acknowledgements
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Previous Studies
3.0 Case Studies
4.0 Guidelines for Identifying and
Evaluating Potential Road Diet
Candidate Sites
References
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations

19. Road Diets - Summary
• Meet transportation need
• Safety benefits
• Livability Benefits
• Asset to the community
• Compatible with the
environment
• Cost-effective
• “Better than Before”

20. Contact Information
Jennifer A. Rosales, P.E.
Parsons Brinckerhoff
Portland, Oregon, USA
rosales@pbworld.com
(503) 478-2347