Community Meeting #2 (Design Charrette)
Broad Street Bicycle Boulevard Community Meeting #2 Summary
Overview:
On June 9th, about 50 community residents attended the second in a series of community outreach meetings to develop plans for the Broad Street Bicycle Boulevard. While the first community meeting, held on March 24th, provided a general introduction to the project, the second meeting provided a more interactive opportunity for City Transportation staff and community members to share ideas and recommendations for the boulevard via a collaborative design “charrette”.
Staff Presentation: City staff Jake Hudson, (Transportation Manager), Adam Fukushima (Active Transportation Manager), and Project Managers, Jennifer Rice and Luke Schwartz, presented a summary of existing conditions along the planned bicycle boulevard, including analysis of existing traffic volumes and speeds, relationship to other planned projects in the area, and an assessment of existing barriers to walking and bicycling along the corridor. Staff provided an overview of the various types of elements available in the “design toolbox” to consider for the bike boulevard, and described how each element supports the design objectives of the project. Staff presented their preliminary concept for the Broad Street Bicycle Boulevard, which included the following key features:
Chorro Street Interim Alignment: While the southern segment of the bicycle boulevard will ultimately follow Broad Street from Monterey Street/Mission Plaza north to Lincoln—including a future grade-separated ped/bike crossing of the freeway—an interim alignment for the bicycle boulevard will follow Chorro Street from Downtown to Lincoln Street until the long-term plans to close the Highway 101 ramps at Broad Street are implemented.
Buffered Bike Lanes: Extend the buffered bike lanes on Chorro Street from their current terminus at Walnut Street north to Lincoln Street, extending through the Highway 101 undercrossing.
Traffic Diverters: Provide traffic diverters along Broad Street to reduce auto volumes and speeds to a level conducive to a more comfortable bicycling environment. The preliminary concept includes diverters at three locations: Center Street, Mission Street and Murray Street.
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Broad Street Bicycle Boulevard Community Meeting #2 Summary
Link to Foothill Boulevard: At the northern end of the corridor, the bicycle boulevard alignment continues west of Broad Street along Ramona Drive with a two-way protected bikeway, or “cycle track” provided along the north side of the street. From Ramona Drive, a Class I shared-use path would be proposed through the church property to connect north to Foothill Boulevard across from Ferrini Road. As part of another City-led Safe Routes to School Improvements project, plans for an enhanced bicycle/pedestrian crossing at Foothill/Ferrini are being developed to bridge the connection from the Broad Street Bicycle Boulevard to the neighborhoods north of Foothill.
Corridor-wide Features: While not shown at specific locations in the preliminary concepts, staff noted that crossing enhancements (curb ramps, bulbouts, etc.), bicycle signage/markings/wayfinding, green street elements (planting strips, bioswales, etc.), and pedestrian lighting enhancements would be considered throughout the corridor and would be reflected in more detailed concept drawings in the next project development phase.
NOTE: The staff Powerpoint presentation is attached at the end of this summary. Additional existing conditions summary materials will be available for download at the project website (http://www.peakdemocracy.com/3444).
Design Charrette: The second half of the meeting included an interactive design charrette, where attendees were encouraged to break off into four groups and develop their own design concepts for the bicycle boulevard. Each group was provided with a large aerial map of the corridor, markers and paper symbols of various design elements (i.e. traffic circles, speed humps, diverters, etc.) to use for developing their own recommendations. The attendees were very engaged, asking important questions and providing creative and thoughtful recommendations for the bicycle boulevard design. Below is a summary of some of the key highlights from the design charrette:
Consider a one-way couplet on Broad Street (southbound) and Chorro Street (northbound).
Avoid placing diverters along Broad Street at side streets that don’t have sidewalks, such as Murray Street, as an increase in auto volume/speed may provide an uncomfortable environment for pedestrians.
Consider identifying an alignment that diverts from segments of Broad Street in one or both directions to avoid steep slopes. For example, the Almond Street “wiggle” is frequently used by parents bicycling with children currently to avoid the northbound ride uphill along Broad Street approaching Center and Mission Streets. 2
Broad Street Bicycle Boulevard Community Meeting #2 Summary
Consider potential impacts to emergency access at the Villages retirement communities when placing potential traffic diverters. Attendees recommended that staff solicit feedback specifically from the Villages as part of their outreach efforts.
Long-term access and traffic demand from the Foothill Plaza Shopping Center should be considered when assessing traffic conditions, as many of the retail uses are currently unoccupied or under construction.
Multiple groups recommended a traffic circle at the Broad/Lincoln intersection to slow traffic leaving/entering the freeway.
Consider improvements along Chorro Street and Lincoln Street to mitigate potential increases in traffic volumes/speeds in conjunction with the bicycle boulevard improvements on Broad Street.
Next Steps:
Based on the input from the design charrette and first community meeting, as well as input continually being received on the project’s online forum, staff will develop a refined set of concept design alternatives for the Broad Street Bicycle Boulevard. Concept drawings will be developed for each alternative at a level that allows staff to analyze each concept using quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate potential traffic impacts, emergency vehicle access concerns, costs, potential parking impacts, and effectiveness in supporting the objectives of the project. Once the refined design concepts and corresponding screening analyses are prepared, staff will present this information to the community for review and input. Keep an eye out for updates later in the fall of 2016.
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Broad Street Bicycle Boulevard Meeting #2: Design Charrette June 9, 2016 • Introductions & Background • Recap from 1st Meeting • Existing Conditions Summary • Preliminary Concepts • Public Design Charrette • Next Steps
JAKE HUDSON Transportation Manager ADAM FUKUSHIMA Active Transportation Manager JENNIFER RICE Transportation Planner-Engineer LUKE SCHWARTZ Transportation Planner-Engineer
Recap from Meeting #1
•
55+ attendees
•
Key “wants” identified:
•
•
o
Pedestrian Improvements
o
Green Street Features
o
Traffic Calming
Concerns identified: o
Effectiveness of traffic calming elements
o
Traffic diversion to other streets
Majority (78%) supported “diversion” type of bicycle boulevard
Project Background
Focus Areas: • Northern Segment • Foothill to Hwy 101 •
Southern Segment • Hwy 101 to Monterey
•
Bike/Ped Crossing of Hwy 101
Existing Conditions Planning Context
Broad St. Bicycle Boulevard
Existing Conditions Planning Context
Mission Plaza Master Plan improvements provide opportunity for enhanced gateway features at southern terminus of Broad St Bike Blvd
Existing Conditions Planning Context
Future Cerro Romauldo Bike Boulevard
Planned Bishop’s Peak & Pacheco Elementary School Safe Routes to School Improvements provide opportunity for further enhancements to bicycle connectivity and safety at north end of Broad St Bicycle Boulevard
Existing Conditions Bicycling Environment
Broad St Traveling NB @ Palm St
Existing Conditions Bicycling Environment
Broad St Traveling NB @ Peach St
Existing Conditions Bicycling Environment
Chorro St Traveling NB @ Walnut
Existing Conditions Bicycling Environment
Chorro St Traveling NB @ US 101 Undercrossing
Existing Conditions Bicycling Environment
Broad St Traveling NB @ Lincoln St
Existing Conditions Bicycling Environment
Broad St Traveling NB @ Center St
Existing Conditions Bicycling Environment
Broad St Traveling NB @ Mission St
Existing Conditions Bicycling Environment
Broad St Approaching Broad/Foothill Intersection
Existing Conditions Traffic Volumes 6000
Broad Street Traffic Volumes
Average Daily Traffic (veh/day)
5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Foothill to Ramona
Ramona to Murray
Murray to Mission
Mission to Lincoln
US 101 to Palm St
Existing Conditions Traffic Volumes 6000
Average Daily Traffic (veh/day)
5000
Broad Street Traffic Volumes Max Target ADT for Broad St & Chorro St per General Plan
4000 3000 Max Volume for Bike Blvd
2000 1000
Ideal Volume for Bike Blvd
0 Foothill to Ramona
Ramona to Murray
Murray to Mission
Mission to Lincoln
US 101 to Palm St
Existing Conditions Motor Vehicle Speeds Broad Street Vehicle Speeds
85th Percentile Speeds (mph)
35
30
30
26
30 28
27
26
25
20
NB
SB
NB
SB
NB
SB
15
Ramona to Mission
Mission to Lincoln
US 101 to Palm
Existing Conditions Motor Vehicle Speeds Broad Street Vehicle Speeds
85th Percentile Speeds (mph)
35
30
30
26 25
30 28
27
26
Desired Max Speed for Broad St per General Plan
Max Speeds for Bike Blvd 20 Ideal Speeds for Bike Blvd NB
SB
NB
SB
NB
SB
15
Ramona to Mission
Mission to Lincoln
US 101 to Palm
Existing Conditions Pedestrian Environment • Gaps in sidewalk connectivity • Lacking ADA-compliant curb ramps in many locations • Need for additional street lighting
Existing Conditions Pedestrian Environment
Existing Conditions Pedestrian Environment
Design Objectives
• Identity/Branding – Utilize signage, markings and other elements to provide a bicycle boulevard with a look and feel that is unique from surrounding streets to communicate that bicycle travel has a priority on the roadway. • Traffic Calming – Incorporate design features that bring motor vehicle speeds closer to those of bicyclists, improving the safety and comfort of the bicycle and pedestrian environment. • Volume Management – Consider measures to reduce or discourage motor vehicle thru traffic along the boulevard by physically or operationally reconfiguring access along street segments and intersections. • Pedestrian Safety & Comfort – Incorporate design features along the boulevard that provide a continuous, accessible, low-stress environment for pedestrians of all ability levels. • Crossing Enhancement – Improve accessibility, comfort and visibility for bicyclists and pedestrians crossing at intersections.
Design Toolbox Signage & Pavement Markings
Portland, OR
Berkeley, CA
San Luis Obispo, CA
San Luis Obispo, CA
Madison, WI
Design Toolbox Speed Management
Source: NACTO.org
Palo Alto, CA
Speed Humps / Speed Tables
Neighborhood Traffic Circles
Source: NACTO.org
Median Island / Lane Narrowing
Austin, TX
Chicanes
Design Toolbox Volume Management
San Luis Obispo, CA San Luis Obispo, CA
Eugene, OR
Tucson, AZ
Full & Partial Street Closures
Diverters
Design Toolbox Crossing Enhancements
San Luis Obispo, CA
Bike Boxes
Louisville, KY
Curb Extensions (“Bulbouts”)
San Luis Obispo, CA
Stop Signs on Cross Streets / Advance Crossing Signs
Berkeley, CA
Traffic Signal Improvements (Bike Detection & Bike Signals)
Design Toolbox Pedestrian Improvements
Curb Extensions (“Bulbouts”)
Curb Ramps & Sidewalk Improvements
High Visibility Crosswalks
Street Lighting
Design Toolbox Green Street Elements
Design Toolbox Green Street Elements
Preliminary Design Concepts
Preliminary Design Concepts
Preliminary Design Concepts
Preliminary Design Concepts
Preliminary Design Concepts
Preliminary Design Concepts
Preliminary Design Concepts
Preliminary Design Concepts
Preliminary Design Concepts
Preliminary Design Concepts
Preliminary Design Concepts
Preliminary Design Concepts
Preliminary Design Concepts
Preliminary Design Concepts
Preliminary Design Concepts
Preliminary Design Concepts
Design Charrette – Legend Neighborhood Traffic Circles are raised islands, placed in intersections, around which traffic circulates. They are good for calming intersections where speeds, volumes, and safety are problems.
Diverters reduce Bulbouts are sidewalk extensions which reduces the crossing distance for pedestrians and appears to narrow the roadway for motorists. Bulbouts can be effective at reducing vehicle speeds.
Speed Humps are good for locations where very low speeds are desired and reasonable, and noise and EV access are not a major concern.
vehicle overload by redirecting traffic onto different courses. While they are very effecting at reducing vehicle volumes, special attention needs to be paid to the redirected courses to ensure that congestion isn’t simply being displaced.
Next Steps You Are Here
Project Process Initial Concept Development
Concept Refinement
Traffic Analysis
Final Concept
Stakeholder Meetings at Each Phase
o Bicycle Advisory Committee o Planning Commission o City Council Approval
How Can You Continue to Participate? Visit our online Open City Hall Forum for project updates and to provide feedback o www.peakdemocracy.com/3444 OR o Search “Broad Street Bike Blvd” on www.slocity.gov Staff Contacts: LUKE SCHWARTZ Transportation Planner-Engineer (805) 781-7190 [email protected]
JENNIFER RICE Transportation Planner-Engineer (805) 781-7058 [email protected]
QUESTIONS? JENNIFER RICE
LUKE SCHWARTZ
Transportation Planner-Engineer (805) 781-7058 [email protected]
Transportation Planner-Engineer (805) 781-7190 [email protected]
JAKE HUDSON Transportation Manager (805) 781-7255 [email protected]
