Module 3: Road and Traffic Considerations

Question 1

Purpose of road?

Answer 1

Primarily a function of the immediate land use
Provide connections to locations outside of immediate area

Question 2

Road classifications?

Answer 2

Local

Street providing land access with little or no provision for through traffic
Design speed of 40km/h
Low density areas

Generally lower density areas, stop signs, parked cars, kids
10% absolute maximum grade

Pavement structure varies across municipalities, within them; look at successfully existing adjacent pavement structures

Low quality materials in aggregate standards due to scarcity of resources, unless near a good source

No good common standard for wheelchair ramps

Collector

Performs dual function of land access and distribution of traffic between local and arterial streets

1000-12,000 daily volume
Design speed of 60km/h
Medium and high density areas

12% absolute maximum grade

Pavement structure varies across municipalities, within them; look at successfully existing adjacent pavement structures

Low quality materials in aggregate standards due to scarcity of resources, unless near a good source
No good common standard for wheelchair ramps

Arterial

Provides continuous route primarily for through traffic with land across a secondary consideration

5000-30,000 daily volume
15% absolute maximum grade
Pavement structure varies across municipalities, within them; look at successfully existing adjacent pavement structures

Low quality materials in aggregate standards due to scarcity of resources, unless near a good source
No good common standard for wheelchair ramps

There are others, but not important here (possibly forest service?)

18% absolute maximum grade?

Pavement structure varies across municipalities, within them; look at successfully existing adjacent pavement structures

Low quality materials in aggregate standards due to scarcity of resources, unless near a good source

No good common standard for wheelchair ramps

Question 3

Road and right-of-way widths? Determined by?

Answer 3

Determined by density

Low: <16 dwellings/ha
Medium: 16-30 dwellings/ha
High: >30 dwellings/ha
More dense = more wide
Greater land slope = more wide right-of-way for local streets

No less than 20m for right-of-way (roads are actually less wide)
However, there have been provisions made in standards for right-of-ways widths less than 20m

see https://docs.google.com/document/d/13QjXslbKcm56KCcnbQaC6OebBPX7u248o9cNfhDDHKQ/edit

remember: local roads in hillside locations (so that means greater slope) will need wider SRW

Question 4

What generally governs absolute maximum grade in BC? Why will they have to be increasingly used in the future?

Answer 4

Snowfall, heavy snowfall

Due to the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), more housing will be developed on hillsides

Question 5

2 types of storm drainage design. they consist of?

Answer 5

conventional method

storm water management method

Substantial amount of engineering design work for each development proposal and formulation by the municipality of overall watershed design criteria

consist of

They should consist of a minor system component and a major system component (both)
Needed because there is increasing exposure to flooding

Question 6

Water Distribution: main and service connection location? Hydrants? How are hydrants standardized?

Answer 6

Main and service connection location
Must be separate from sanitary sewer mains and service connections (Ministry of Health and Environment)
Saves costs

Hydrants

3-4 hydrant types
80% produced by Vancouver company
Variety of municipal specifications
Sliding gate vs compression type
Type of pumper connection
Main spindle rotation

Municipalities try to standardize hydrants by

Manufacture
Type
Pumper connection
Spindle rotation

Question 7

Who sets out the standards of right-of-way and pavement widths? What do the standards include?

Answer 7

Transportation Association of Canada

Widths, geometric design standards, coding for road standards

Question 8

What ultimately governs design? What plays a large role? What must be reduced?

Answer 8

Its use
Its purpose, with a minimum of disruption and waste
Road must be built to serve its purpose

Engineering knowledge and judgement is needed in preparing transportation and land use plans

Must reduce dislocation of people and business

Question 9

Traffic factors that can be anticipated based on a good plan?

Answer 9

Traffic volume
Vehicular type (truch, bus, car)
Trip type (commuter, local, through, shopping, sightseeing, recreational)
Public transportation needs (future traffic protection)

Question 10

Functional classifications of road

Answer 10

Rural

Freeway
Arterial
Collector
local

Urban

Freeway
Arterial
Collector
Local

Remember: rural and urban refer to the predominant characteristics of adjacent land use, NOT jurisdictional boundaries

see https://docs.google.com/document/d/13QjXslbKcm56KCcnbQaC6OebBPX7u248o9cNfhDDHKQ/edit

Question 11

describe freeways

Answer 11

Heavy volume
High speeds (80-100km)
Free flowing conditions
Long trip traffic

8000 - 20000 (rural to urban)

limited access roads
opposing traffic lanes seperated
overpasses and bridges
restrictions on parking, pedestrains and cycling

connects to freeways, arterials and collectors only

Question 12

describe arterials; primary functions

Answer 12

major routes in networks

connect industrial and commercial centres, concentrations of residential development

use arterials if freeways are not warranted

1000 - 12000, 500-30000 daily users (rural - urban)

usually uninterrupted flow; controlled intersections

public transportation loading zones, turning lanes

restricted parking

50-90km

connect to all other road types, even local, industrial or commercial

Question 13

describe collector streets; primary function

Answer 13

Collect traffic from local roads and distribute it to other local roads, arterials, sometimes freeways

Service land, permitted full access to adjacent land usually

200-5000, 1000-12000 (rural - urban)

flow interrupted by stop conditions at intersections and turning movements at land access points

connect to all other road types, usually not freeways in urban settings; rarely found in central business districts

Question 14

describe local streets; primary function

Answer 14

provide land access

Trips on local roads have their origin or destination within the length of the road

interrupted flow

20-50-80km

mostly passenger vehicles or light service trucking

connect to arterials, collectors, locals; only collectors and locals in urban setting

Question 15

Preliminary and Secondary Groups

Answer 15

Some jurisdictions divide the major classification into primary or secondary

Secondary urban local
A short crescent or cul de sac
Primary urban collector

A collector serving primarily industrial area
Extra width and strength needed to handle trucking

Question 16

What are the design elements for each basic classification of road?

Answer 16

Determine physical limitations of the route
Know anticipated traffic

Question 17

What do physical limitations govern in design?

Answer 17

Grades
Design speeds
Max width (existing/proposed right-of-way)

Question 18

What does traffic govern in design?

Answer 18

Pavement width
Shoulder width
Number of lanes

Question 19

How are roads coded?

Answer 19

Location
Class type of road
Type
Divided vs undivided
Design speed
Ex:
RLU = rural local undivided. 80km/h. So, code is RLU80

see https://docs.google.com/document/d/13QjXslbKcm56KCcnbQaC6OebBPX7u248o9cNfhDDHKQ/edit

Question 20

What identifies the external access and circulation needs of the neighbourood? How?

Answer 20

Site analysis process

Locates the internal circulation pattern to suit the density and type of development being accommodated

Question 21

What aspects of circulation have planning implications?

Answer 21

Vehicles
Trucks
Emergency vehicles
Transit vehicles
Snow plows
Bicycles
Pedestrians

Question 22

Which is planned first: arterial road or neighbourhood? Why? Recommended design features?

Answer 22

Arterial road

They are to provide direct routes for traffic PAST residential neighbourhoods to destinations >2km away

Design features

Widely spaced intersections (250m apart)
No direct access to adjacent land (unless land has internal road system)
Pedestrian crossing only at intersections
Land uses should be buffered by landscaping, berms, fences
Discourage residential parking

Question 23

What do collector roads serve to do? Design considerations?

Answer 23

Distribute vehicular traffic throughout neighbourhood

Design

Intersections should meet at between 70-110 degrees, final alignment maintained for a distance of 30m from the centre of intersection

see https://docs.google.com/document/d/13QjXslbKcm56KCcnbQaC6OebBPX7u248o9cNfhDDHKQ/edit

Discourage intersections of more than 2 streets

Intersections on residential streets should not be closer then 60m between the limits of street right-of-ways

T intersections are preferable to cross roads

Access to land uses should not interfere with intersections (>25m away)

Parking only on one side

Question 24

What do local roads do? What should design ensure?

Answer 24

Provide direct access to residential properties

Channel local traffic onto collector roads within the neighbourhood
Design

Access to residences is more than 25m from centre of intersection of a collector road with a local road

Width, minus permitted parking, should be able to accommodate turning delivery vans, garbage trucks

Driveways may help with this

Question 25

Emergency circulation; characteristics?

Answer 25

Characteristics 2 access points for residential neighbourhood into adjacent arterial road system Secondary access should be 4m wide Dont need to be paved (grass, gravel etc is ok) When neighbourhood is built in phases, create one access in each one On long cul de sacs, P streets or loops (over 150m) a secondary access route for emergency vehicles should be provided see https://docs.google.com/document/d/13QjXslbKcm56KCcnbQaC6OebBPX7u248o9cNfhDDHKQ/edit

Question 26

Transit vehicles: what do roads need to do for them

Answer 26

Provide direct route through each neighbourhood Only on collector, arterial streets (not local); what about freeways? Minimize left turns No loops or switchbacks Same route in both directions

Question 27

Transit route characteristics

Answer 27

Designed within 500m of residential development (May be less with high density areas) Accommodate present and future service Min 150m between stops Max 360-400m distance between stops Bus shelters with densities >32 dwellings/ha

Question 28

Arterial roads may warrant bus bays when :

Answer 28

only one moving lane in each direction Transit vehicles have layovers to meet schedules Anticipate traffic lineups

Question 29

Implications of Snow plows and road maintenance vehicles

Answer 29

If snow is expected to be on ground for long, 6.75 of pavement free of parked cars Min turning radius of 11m If snow is expected to accumulate for longer Designate snow storage locations within neighbourhood, like Boulevards Parks, open spaces Median strips on collectors Street pavement with increased width roads Easements on lots

Question 30

Implications of bicycle circulation? For low density? Medium? High?

Answer 30

Low Bikes can be on local roads Medium Traffic is too heavy for bikes Need separate right of way Should connect residential groupings to major activity areas (parks, recreation facilities) Less changes in elevation Bicycle storage? Protective barriers for arterial bridges High Traffic is too heavy for bikes Need separate right of way Should connect residential groupings to major activity areas (parks, recreation facilities) Less changes in elevation Bicycle storage? Protective barriers for arterial bridges

Question 31

Implications for pedestrian circulation? 3 types of walkways? What must the 2 larger types include? When can sidewalks on only 1 side of a collector be considered? When are sidewalks not needed?

Answer 31

Safety is important Separate right of ways from vehicles Types Paths approx 1m wide from individual dwellings to parking, bins, open space, or wider pathways paths/sidewalks 1-1.5m wide connecting dwellings or groups of residential units No barriers for wheelchairs/baby carriages Walkways 1.5-2m wide between groups of dwellings and community, recreation or commercial facilities No barriers for wheelchairs/baby carriages Only 1 side Low traffic volume Internal paths are provided within neighbourhood Housing mix favours households without children Activity centers are grouped in a favourable way (on same side) Not needed on short cul de sacs and P loops (<150m long) if they are not part of pedestrian routes to parks, schools, community facilities

Question 32

Accepted max length of road prior to a secondary access requirement? What about in rural? Who needs to be consulted about standards?

Answer 32

150m, 220m in rural Local fire chief

Question 33

What makes secondary roads not practical? What is a way to maximize land efficiency?

Answer 33

Rural settings, where there is no nearby hydrants or water supply country/rural roads can be long narrow dead ends leading to a farm or ranch Road must be able to handle a fire truck Combine alternate access routes with walkways and sewer right of ways Normal drivers must not use it

Question 34

What else should local roads accomplish? What do collectors/ major local roads accomplish in this context? Arterial roads?

Answer 34

rovide direct access to land and Prevent through traffic in neighbourhoods collectors / majors collect traffic from local roads and disperse it throughout community Also channel the traffic towards arterial roads Arterial roads connect to other communities see https://docs.google.com/document/d/13QjXslbKcm56KCcnbQaC6OebBPX7u248o9cNfhDDHKQ/edit

Question 35

2 basic road patterns? Advantages of cul de sacs?

Answer 35

GRID Most common More efficient 90 degree intersections Numerous cross intersections which have 2 and 4 way stops Most compatible to the subdivision of land based on existing land ownership Can be tedious, monotonous Can deviate to provide opportunities for more open space Meandering or flowing Can still be planned Avoids conventional grid Utilizes curved roads and cul de sacs Cul de sacs are a viable alternative to basic grid Creates more family friendly neighbourhoods with kids Opportunities for parks and open spaces More T intersections (due to curved roads they create mini neighbourhoods There is also a compromise

Question 36

What ultimately dictates road placement?

Answer 36

Topography, public demand and the sequence of development will dictate future road placement and trend of preferred layouts Reflected through lot and house sales

Question 37

Most cities existing grid consists of what? What is needed to create an entire neighbourhood? What makes their development harder?

Answer 37

Basic roads and large parcels of land Development must be large enough to accommodate a conceptual neighbourhood plan Difficult to create when staged development occurs involving different developers of small parcels of land over a long term approach

Question 38

Reason for naming roads and streets related to what? How are grid roads named?

Answer 38

Underlying hierarchy of street system Governed by policy A major consideration in the naming of roads is a clear distinction of location for rapid response by emergency vehicles Place same named roads close together! Ex: Birchwood Drive, Birchwood Crescent, Birchwood Place Grid roads are named either street or avenue

Question 39

Definition of street? Avenue? Boulevard? Drive? Crescent? Place and Close?

Answer 39

Street Road which runs in a north south direction, or at right angles to avenues in a grid system Avenue Road which runs in east west direction, or at right angles to streets in a grid system Boulevard Residential collector meandering through or separating 2 residential areas May commence and end on the same or different arterial road Drive Local road which begins on one collector and ends on another Crescent Local road that begins and ends on the same collector Place and close Local road which dead ends in a cul de sac or P loop

Question 40

When developing a community plan, explain why arterial roads are established first. How does this control the pattern for future neighbourhood planning?

Answer 40

Arterial roads are routes for residential neighbourhoods to reach places more than 2km away neighbourhoods are bounded by arterial roads? Land access is only secondary for arterial roads Collectors and locals must stem from arterials to provide land access Intersections placed 250m or more apart No parking on arterials Landscape buffers arterials Commercial and service development will be on these roads to service the local areas Placement of arterial influences shape of division of remaining land, determine location of required collectors and locals

Question 41

When establishing zones or land uses, which are the most dependent on the arterial roads, and why?

Answer 41

High density residential areas and commercial and industrial centres High volume of traffic Type of flow (uninterrupted)_ Vehicle type: more trucks, transit vehicles

Question 42

Intersections and their location are important for the safe and efficient circulation of traffic. Give the primary considerations for intersections in each of these classes of roads.

Answer 42

Local road Stop signs 70-110 degrees T intersections only Access to residences more than 25m away Connection Intersections at 70-110 degrees; final alignment maintained for a distance of 30m from centre of intersection Only 2 streets intersecting T intersections preferable, with locals 25m away from land accesses 90 degrees to arterials Stop signs at local roads Arterial Widely spaced (250m apart) Traffic should be less interrupted Cross intersections Traffic control devices 90 degrees