CHAPTER 7: BUILDING AND CIRCULATION

Question 1

What factors drive building location decisions?

Answer 1

Placement of buildings on a site affects residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional uses

Proximity to customers, ease of access, and visibility are crucial for business success.

Question 2

What is a key principle for building location?

Answer 2

Locate building on previously disturbed sites

This conserves open spaces and minimizes construction disturbance.

Question 3

How should buildings be oriented to minimize grading?

Answer 3

Locate structures with respect to site topography

Question 4

What is the impact of longer roads on development costs?

Answer 4

Increase development costs and create more impermeable surfaces

Longer roads can also reduce pedestrian safety.

Question 5

What orientation is ideal for building entrances to maximize solar gain?

Answer 5

Southern orientation, ideally SSE & SSW

Question 6

What is the recommended height for human-scaled buildings?

Answer 6

2-4 stories

Question 7

What is building articulation?

Answer 7

3D detailing of a building’s exterior through variations in materials, colors, and design elements

Question 8

What should taller buildings avoid to ensure pedestrian comfort?

Answer 8

Casting shadows or creating wind tunnel effects

Question 9

How can energy demands of a building be reduced?

Answer 9

Lowering surface area, building to human scale, increasing natural light and ventilation

Question 10

What does site circulation encompass?

Answer 10

Vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle, and multi-user circulation systems

Question 11

What is an important consideration for site circulation?

Answer 11

Connectivity to existing circulation systems

Question 12

What is the purpose of wayfinding?

Answer 12

Helps users orient themselves through signage, clear sight lines, and landmarks

Question 13

What are the characteristics of a principle arterial roadway?

Answer 13

Highways, controlled access, heavy traffic, long distances, high speeds

Question 14

What is a minor arterial roadway?

Answer 14

Routes through urban areas with major commercial and institutional uses

Question 15

What is the role of collector roads?

Answer 15

Link traffic from local streets to minor arterial roadways

Question 16

What percentage of streets in the US are classified as local roads?

Answer 16

90%

Question 17

What is the recommended alignment for roadways?

Answer 17

Direct as possible while addressing topography and critical features

Question 18

What is the sight distance in roadway design?

Answer 18

Length of road ahead visible to the driver

Question 19

What factors affect sight distance?

Answer 19

Curves, hills, speed limits, alignments, intersections

Question 20

What is a sight triangle?

Answer 20

Area at an intersection ensuring visibility for drivers

Question 21

What are the three basic ways roads relate to topography?

Answer 21

• Parallel to contours
• Perpendicular to contours
• Diagonal across the contours

Question 22

What is a woonerf?

Answer 22

A shared space roadway design prioritizing safety for pedestrians and cyclists

Question 23

What are the components of streetscapes?

Answer 23

• Road
• Buildings
• Street trees
• Open spaces
• Sidewalks
• Site furnishings

Question 24

What is a key benefit of streetscapes?

Answer 24

Reduce vehicle trips by mixing land uses and providing transit options

Question 25

What is the maximum distance most pedestrians are willing to walk?

Answer 25

700 ft (1/8 mile)

Question 26

What should pedestrian circulation systems minimize?

Answer 26

Conflicts with vehicles and cyclists

Question 27

How can pedestrian safety at intersections be improved?

Answer 27

Ensuring unobstructed visibility to crosswalks and reducing crossing distances

Question 28

What is the primary criterion for designing a crosswalk?

Answer 28

Unobstructed visibility ## Footnote This ensures that vehicles and roadway users can see all crosswalks clearly

Question 29

List three ways to increase pedestrian safety at intersections.

Answer 29

* Unobstructed visibility to all crosswalks * Crosswalks oriented perpendicular to the highway * Reduced distance required to cross a street

Question 30

True or False: Lower vehicle speeds enhance pedestrian safety.

Answer 30

True ## Footnote Lower speeds give pedestrians more time to react and cross safely.

Question 31

What are the characteristics of bicycle paths?

Answer 31

* Dedicated for bicycle traffic * Separated from vehicles by open space or barriers * Typically 8-12 ft wide

Question 32

What is the maximum cross slope considered ideal for bike paths?

Answer 32

1.5% ## Footnote A maximum of 2% cross slope is acceptable.

Question 33

What is the width range for bicycle lanes?

Answer 33

5-6 ft ## Footnote Bicycle lanes are designated portions of larger roadways.

Question 34

Describe wide outside lanes.

Answer 34

Located on the right side of traffic, ~14 ft wide, intended for shared use with vehicles

Question 35

What is the most dangerous form of bikeway?

Answer 35

Shared roadways ## Footnote Bikes are treated as cars, affecting traffic flow.

Question 36

List two scenarios that increase the risk of accidents for cyclists.

Answer 36

* Cyclists turn left across oncoming traffic * Cyclists cross an intersection when vehicles are turning from the right

Question 37

What are key design considerations for bicycle circulation networks?

Answer 37

* Adequate sight lines * Suitable topography * Adequate lane widths * Safe conditions at intersections

Question 38

What is the purpose of multi-user trails?

Answer 38

To accommodate a range of users such as cyclists, walkers, runners, and skaters

Question 39

What slope is recommended for ADA accessible trails?

Answer 39

Less than 5% ## Footnote This ensures accessibility for all users.

Question 40

What are the advantages of designing multi-use trails?

Answer 40

* Located within open space * Provide connections to local ecosystems * Minimize interruptions to travel

Question 41

Define nature trails in terms of slope difficulty.

Answer 41

* Easy trails: 3-5% slope * Moderate trails: 8-10% slope * Hard trails: 10%+ slope

Question 42

What should ADA routes be free from?

Answer 42

Obstructions ## Footnote This includes any barriers that would impede access.

Question 43

What is the maximum slope for an ADA walkway?

Answer 43

8.33% ## Footnote This corresponds to a 1 ft elevation change over 12 horizontal feet.

Question 44

What should be provided alongside ramps for accessibility?

Answer 44

Stairs ## Footnote Ramps are not accessible for all abilities, hence both should be included.

Question 45

What are two design considerations for elderly site users?

Answer 45

* Visual cues at grade changes * Comfortable seating

Question 46

What is a common activity that promotes social interaction among elderly users?

Answer 46

Walking ## Footnote Walking paths foster interactions between elderly and other populations.

Question 47

Fill in the blank: The more accessible a site is to a wide range of users, the more they are able to benefit from the _______.

Answer 47

[ecological, social, or economic opportunities]