Applying the Road Diet for Livable Communities

A “road diet” consists of converting a four-lane undivided roadway to a two-lane roadway plus two-way left turn lane by removing a travel lane in each direction. The remaining roadway width can be converted to bike lanes, on-street parking or sidewalks. In cities throughout the world, roadways have been put on “road diets,” generating benefits to all modes of transportation including transit, bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists. These benefits include reduced vehicle speeds, improved mobility and access, reduced collisions and injuries, and improved livability and quality of life. This paper will explore and evaluate the livability impacts of road diet projects. These livability impacts have not been previously evaluated in any research effort or manner. The impacts of the road diet projects evaluated include improved quality of life, street character, and comfort and safety for pedestrians, bicycles, and transit. The content, application, and results of a public opinion livability survey will be presented. The survey was administered along four-lane undivided and three-lane streets with comparable width, character, and traffic flow. The livability survey solicited information from people living and working adjacent to the streets with factors directly related to its livability. Five sites were chosen for the survey and data collection in Washington, Iowa, and Georgia, and in Canada and New Zealand. The focus of the paper will be on the impacts of road diet projects on livability and context sensitivity.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Print
  • Features: CD-ROM; Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 16p
  • Monograph Title: ITE 2005 Annual Meeting and Exhibit Compendium of Technical Papers

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01006875
  • Record Type: Publication
  • ISBN: 1933452080
  • Files: TRIS, ATRI
  • Created Date: Oct 28 2005 3:40PM