How do you incorporate active transportation and transit-oriented design in your road layouts?

1 What is active transportation and transit-oriented design?

Active transportation refers to any human-powered mode of travel, such as walking, cycling, skating, or scooting. Transit-oriented design is a planning approach that focuses on creating compact, mixed-use, and walkable neighborhoods around transit stations or corridors. Both concepts aim to reduce car dependency, greenhouse gas emissions, and traffic congestion, while improving public health, social equity, and livability.

2 How to plan for active transportation and transit-oriented design?

Before you start designing your road layouts, you need to have a clear vision and strategy for how you want to promote active transportation and transit-oriented design in your project area. This may involve conducting a site analysis, engaging with stakeholders, setting goals and objectives, and developing policies and guidelines. You also need to coordinate with other agencies and departments, such as transit operators, public works, and environmental services, to ensure alignment and integration of your plans.

3 How to design for active transportation and transit-oriented design?

When designing road layouts, it is important to consider the needs and preferences of different types of users, from pedestrians to cyclists to drivers and people with disabilities. The design should also balance the functions and aesthetics of the roads, such as mobility, safety, accessibility, comfort, and attractiveness. To achieve this, key design elements should be included such as sidewalks and crosswalks that are wide and accessible; bike lanes and trails that are separated, connected, and clearly marked; transit stops and stations that are convenient, visible, and comfortable; appropriate road widths and speeds for the context and mode share; street trees and landscaping that provide shade; and street furniture and amenities that enhance the user experience.

4 How to implement and evaluate your road layouts?

Once you have designed your road layouts, you need to implement them in a timely and cost-effective manner. This may involve securing funding, obtaining permits, hiring contractors, and managing construction. You also need to monitor and evaluate the performance and impacts of your road layouts, such as mode share, travel time, safety, emissions, and satisfaction. You can use various tools and methods, such as surveys, counts, sensors, and models, to collect and analyze data and feedback.

5 How to learn from best practices and examples?

One of the best ways to improve your skills and knowledge in incorporating active transportation and transit-oriented design in your road layouts is to learn from best practices and examples from around the world. You can research and visit projects that have successfully implemented these concepts, such as Copenhagen, Portland, Singapore, or Curitiba. You can also network and collaborate with other professionals and organizations that share your vision and goals, such as the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the American Planning Association, or the National Association of City Transportation Officials.

6 How to overcome challenges and barriers?

Incorporating active transportation and transit-oriented design in your road layouts is not always easy or straightforward. You may face various challenges and barriers, such as limited space, budget, or time, conflicting interests or opinions, or institutional or regulatory constraints. To overcome these challenges and barriers, you need to be creative, flexible, and resilient. You also need to communicate effectively, build trust and consensus, and demonstrate the benefits and value of your road layouts to various stakeholders and audiences.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?