How can you design streets for all modes of transportation?

Evitar colocar ciclovías en zonas comerciales,ni en calles angostas,las ciclovías serían ideales de acuerdo a la zona que lo necesiten.

Complete Streets Policy: Implement a complete streets policy that ensures streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation. This policy should prioritise the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation users alongside motorists. Multi-Modal Design Standards: Utilise design standards that accommodate multiple modes of transportation. This includes wide sidewalks with amenities such as benches, trees, and adequate lighting for pedestrians; dedicated bike lanes or shared lanes with clear markings for cyclists; and efficient public transportation infrastructure such as bus stops with shelters and clear signage.

Apply the correct design standards and guidelines is great, but still falls short of success. Using more progressive methods, such as the 20 flags method from NCHRP Research Report 948, starts to make your designs not just meet standards, but to also work for all people using them. Many times, the design standards are like a box of crayons. You can use them to create a good picture, or a bad one. We must be careful what we select. We can meet standards, but still fail at our goals. An example of this would be pedestrian facilities. We could have a correctly designed facility that is underused due to an uncomfortable lack of separation from vehicles.

Key strategies include providing dedicated lanes for bikes, buses, and pedestrians to ensure safe and efficient movement. Traffic calming measures such as speed bumps and roundabouts are implemented to slow down vehicle traffic, enhancing safety for all users. Pedestrian priority zones or shared streets with low speed limits are created to prioritize pedestrian safety and comfort. Transit-oriented development is encouraged to increase transit ridership and reduce dependency on private vehicles. Incorporating green infrastructure like street trees and permeable pavements improves environmental sustainability and aesthetics. Additionally, smart traffic management systems are employed for real-time traffic monitoring and signal optimization.

This is incredibly important for taking care of all modes. Many times, it seems that we prioritize for vehicles, then add facilities to other modes in the space we have left. Using guidance such as found in NCHRP Research report 1036 Roadway Cross-Section Reallocation, the practitioner is guided to provide minimum accommodations for EVERYONE, then to maximize the left-over space based on goals and context. For instance, a vehicular travel lane may need to be eliminated in order to fit minimum active transportation space, even if it damages the LOS of the roadway.

When adding multimodal features, we need to be cognizant that the existence of the feature at minimum standards is not always a fair or sufficient accommodation. As FHWA expressed in their bikeway selection guide, there is a wide range of users of the transportation system and comfort plays a factor in how/if it's used. We must keep in mind that we are designing for the people using the right of way, not just the physics of using it.

Designing streets to accommodate all modes of transport require a holistic approach focused on enhancing safety, accessibility and efficiency for road users. 1. Adopting 'Complete Streets' framework ensures streets are designed with all users in mind, incorporating features like sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks and dedicated transit lanes. 2. Implementing traffic calming measures like reduced speed limits, traffic circles and raised crosswalks promote safety and encourage active transportation. 3. Prioritising sustainable modes of transportation through integrated LUTIs and ToD fosters a shift away from reliance on single-occupancy vehicles. 4. Community inputs foster inclusive street design that reflects diverse needs and preferences.

Megenagna, Piasa, and Mexico Squares in Addis Ababa stand out as the bustling hearts of the neighborhoods. The vibrancy of these streets is palpable, with a constant flow of pedestrians crowding their sidewalks and spilling into the “car lanes.” I usually hear drivers lamenting about pedestrians encroaching on what they perceive as their space. Cars stretch out luxuriously across lanes, as if on a grand stage, while the rest squeeze into the wings like awkward stagehands. The streets belong to everyone, and by acknowledging this shared ownership and integrating the mobility pyramid and occupancy-based design principles, streets can be transformed into inclusive, sustainable, and efficient spaces that serve the diverse needs of ALL users.

This involves creating dedicated lanes for different modes, such as separated bike lanes, bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors, and pedestrian pathways, to ensure safe and efficient movement. Incorporating traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps and curb extensions, can reduce vehicle speeds and enhance safety for all users. Implementing intelligent transportation systems (ITS) can optimize traffic flow and improve coordination between modes. Accessibility features, such as curb ramps and tactile paving, are essential for accommodating pedestrians with disabilities. Additionally, integrating green infrastructure, such as street trees and bioswales, can enhance the environmental sustainability of streetscapes.