Potential Side Street & Neighborhood Design Solutions
The solutions described below would improve side and residential streets that connect to Rice Street.
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Photo examples
The image gallery below shows an example of each potential neighborhood design solution described on this page.
Tabled intersections/crossings
Tabled intersections create a slow-speed crossing and public space at minor intersections. They reinforce slow speeds and encourage motorists to yield to pedestrians at the crosswalk.
Benefits
- Traffic calming device.
- Improves accessibility.
- Increases visibility between motorists and pedestrians.
Challenges
- ADA requirements.
- Additional costs for site preparation, grading and earthwork.
Project goals addressed
- Safe traffic operations.
- Safe pedestrian accommodations.
- Public safety.
Shared use lanes
Shared use lanes are lower-volume, lower-speed streets that have been optimized for bike traffic. They provide bicyclists a safer and more relaxing place to ride by providing safe crossings at major streets, encouraging motorists to travel at slow speeds, and reducing the frequency of stop signs.
Benefits
- No additional space requirement.
- Increases safety of bicyclists.
- Increases safety of pedestrians due to slower driving speeds.
- Keeps bicyclists off sidewalk.
Challenges
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Slows down traffic along roadway.
Project goals addressed
- Safe bicycle connections.
- Safe traffic operations.
- Healthy community.
Woonerf (residential side street)
A woonerf is a local access side street with limited access and vehicle traffic. The street functions as a shared community space for pedestrians, bicyclists, children playing and local vehicle traffic.
Benefits
- Reduces cut-through traffic.
- Encourages courteous interactions among users.
- Increases the opportunity for pocket parks and community gardens.
- Allows for denser development in the neighborhood.
Challenges
- Not appropriate for non-local, through roads.
- Can reduce vehicle connectivity.
Project goals addressed
- Safe pedestrian accommodations
- Safe bicycle connections
- Healthy community
Gateways
Gateways are curb extensions installed at the entrance of a street, intended to mark the transition to a residential or slower speed street.
Benefits
- Draws attention to the change in speed from a minor arterial street to a residential street.
- Reduces crossing length for pedestrians.
- Reduces vehicle speeds.
- Tightens vehicle turning movements encouraging slower turning speeds.
- Provides more space for transit stops where applicable.
Challenges
- Abrupt bump-outs can be hazardous for drivers in higher speed and high traffic areas.
Project goals addressed
- Safe pedestrian accommodations
- Safe traffic operations
- Healthy community
- Welcoming streetscape
Limiting side street access to Rice Street
Limiting side street access to Rice Street would involve temporarily or permanently closing some side street access points from Rice Street on streets that do not connect across the corridor.
Benefits
- Improves traffic flow along Rice St by limiting access points.
- Provides a natural space for parklets, woonerfs and street festivals.
- Improves bicycle and pedestrian safety along side streets.
Challenges
- Eliminates some access points from Rice Street.
- Reduces vehicle connectivity.
Project goals addressed
- Safe pedestrian accommodations
- Healthy community
- Public safety
- Safe traffic operations
Car-free streets
Car-free streets are community pedestrian routes that are always car free and provide vital connectivity.
Benefits
- Improve community connectivity for pedestrians away from traffic.
- Promote walking instead of local vehicle trips.
- Provides pedestrian routes through a parklike setting.
- Can serve as a community event space.
Challenges
- Private property access considerations.
- Challenging to implement in developed areas.
- Has different public security needs than a traditional street or park.
Project goals addressed
- Safe pedestrian accommodations
- Healthy community
- Public safety
Public eating places along side streets
Eating spaces would involve temporarily or permanently closing some side streets to vehicle traffic to set up dining areas and recreational seating for residents and business patrons. Patrons from nearby restaurants would be able to order food to the public seating area or bring their own food. This solution can address concerns of businesses privatizing public space in the form of restaurant patios.
Benefits
- Improves traffic flow along Rice Street by limiting access points.
- Provides space for community gathering.
- Encourages courteous interactions among users.
- Prevents the privatization of public space.
- Increases pedestrian safety.
Challenges
- Eliminates some access points from Rice Street.
- Reduces vehicle connectivity.
Project goals addressed
- Safe pedestrian accommodations
- Welcoming streetscape
- Economic development and business support
- Safe traffic operations
Advisory bike lanes
Advisory bike lanes are bike lanes marked with a solid white line of the right (next to parked cars) and a dotted line to the left used on low-volume streets that are narrow. These markings give bicyclists a space to ride but are also available to motorists if space is needed to pass oncoming traffic.
Benefits
- No loss of on-street parking.
- Little additional space requirement.
- Increases safety of bicyclists.
- Keeps bicyclists off sidewalk.
Challenges
- Narrow travel lanes require motorists to be more cautious when passing vehicles.
- Not a high-comfort bicycle facility.
- Not a substitute for dedicated bikeways, particularly along high-traffic routes.
Project goals addressed
- Safe bicycle connections
- Healthy community