EVALUATING THE QUALITY OF CITIES' GEOMETRIC DESIGN STANDARDS

Are cities employing state-of-the-practice street design standards? An evaluation of the street design standards used by medium-size and large cities in Oklahoma is presented. The researchers asked city staff in 19 cities to send their various geometric design and subdivision standards, and staff in 12 of those cities responded. The researchers evaluated stopping sight distance, horizontal curvature, gradient, street section width, and intersection radius standards. The standards evaluated were those intended for new developments or streets. The researchers established "recommended" design practices by referring to nationally recognized publications. The standards of each city were compared with the recommended practices to determine the adequacy of the city design standards, and the city standards were evaluated on the basis of a system devised by the researchers. The evaluation results indicated that the 12 cities had good gradient standards. Turning radius standards were generally adequate, and the adequacy of stopping sight distance standards was mixed. The standards for centerline radius and for arterial street section widths were often inadequate. The need to improve the quality of street design standards at the local level was also discussed by the researchers. The 1991 federal transportation bill (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act) mandates a review of state standards for highways that receive federal aid; it is suggested that an outside review of city design standards may be needed.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: References; Tables;
  • Pagination: p. 138-147
  • Monograph Title: Cross section and alinement design issues
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00675340
  • Record Type: Publication
  • ISBN: 0309060516
  • Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
  • Created Date: Mar 20 1995 12:00AM