Dallas Complete Streets Update

UrbanAdvantage

Council Transportation and Environment Committee September 24, 2012

Dallas Complete Streets

Background and Impetus
Councils 2011-2012 Strategic Action Plan states - Bring a Citywide complete street vision to reality Growing community desire for sustainable development, alternative modes of transportation and better air quality ForwardDallas! comprehensive plan recommended developing a context sensitive street design manual to establish better street design guidance Federal Transportation and Community and System Preservation (TCSP) grant awarded to Dallas to establish complete streets policy - matching funds provided by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG)
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Complete Street Goals

Multimodal Transportation: Design streets for all users - pedestrians, bicycles, transit, automobiles Context Sensitive Design: Design streets to better suit different contexts with flexibility for evolving needs Enhanced Public Realm: Design streets as multi-functional public spaces, not just as traffic conduits Green Streets: Environmentally sustainable street design solutions
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Dallas Complete Streets Key Products

Community Engagement
A variety of opportunities to promote public awareness and receive input on street design issues

Complete Streets Design Manual

Long term vision, policies, guidelines and standards for better street design

Implementation Strategies
Recommendations for systematic and phased implementation of new policies, programs and projects
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Community Involvement Process

Project kick-off event (Better Block on Ross) Public values survey Visual essay contest Technical Committee Stakeholder focus groups Community workshops (including Better Block on Grand and Davis Walkshop) Presentations to stakeholder groups Public open house Demonstration projects Public adoption process July 11 Aug 11 July Oct 11 Ongoing Sept 11, Feb 12 Sept 12 Ongoing Sept, 12 Sept, Oct 12 Oct Dec 12
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We are here

Community Workshops
Eight community workshops / Better Block events held between July and December 2011 Focused on key streets throughout the city Over 600 community participants

Public Open House

Scheduled for September 27, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at City Hall Flag Room Public review of proposed policies and implementation strategies Opportunity to review projects proposed for complete streets funding in the 2012 Bond Program Display and award ceremony for Great Streets Visual Essay contest

Visual Essay Contest

Youth Category Winner (Video)

Choices Leadership Academy Presents Dallas Streets Go Green

Visual Essay Contest

Amateur Category Winner

Jorge Esteban presents Harwood Transformation

DRAFT

Visual Essay Contest

Professional Category Winner (Video)

Nicholas McWhirter (Good Fulton & Farrell) Presents Knox Street Transformation

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Knox Street Demonstration

Scheduled dates: Sept 27 30, 2012 Collaboration with Knox Street Public Improvement District Temporary installation of street modifications on Knox between Katy Trail and McKinney Avenue Opportunity to test new design concepts, receive community feedback and conduct technical evaluation

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Draft available at www.dallascompletestreets.com

Complete Streets Design Manual

Purpose
Serve as a comprehensive policy guide for professionals involved in street-related project planning, design and review Establish a policy basis for future amendments to regulations and standards affecting street design in the Thoroughfare Plan, Dallas Code, zoning ordinances and engineering manuals

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Complete Streets Design Manual

Table of Contents
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. How To Use the Manual Dallas Complete Streets Vision Complete Streets Policy Framework Pedestrian Zone Design Guidelines Street Zone Design Guidelines Intersection Zone Design Guidelines Green Street Guidelines

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Vision and Policy Framework

All Streets Are Not the Same
Specific design solutions for each street are strongly encouraged to suit the unique conditions of the corridor through early community involvement
Existing land uses and activities Future economic development or redevelopment opportunities Right-of-way or space available Funding options available for capital and maintenance costs
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Vision and Policy Framework

Balanced Street Design Priorities
Design guidelines emphasize balancing street design priorities early in the street improvement planning process based on the street type and community input Enable tradeoffs to be made between competing needs within available street space

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Vision and Policy Framework

Design for Safer Traffic Speeds
New Target Speed concept emphasizes a comprehensive approach to encouraging appropriate speeds to suit street contexts
Target speeds provide a safer environment for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users Appropriate target speeds encourage economic development Target speeds are intended to be used as the posted speed limit where necessary
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Vision and Policy Framework

A deliberate departure from a one size fits all approach New Complete Street Types are defined as a basis for appropriate design guidance suited to different contexts Complete Streets Vision Map creates an overlay of these new street types on the thoroughfare system Thoroughfare Plan functional and dimensional classification system stays in place

Complete Street Types and Vision Map

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Five Contextual Street Types

Mixed Use Streets: Serves existing and emerging areas with a range of residential and non-residential land uses and relatively high densities with potential demand for alternative transportation Commercial Streets: Serve mostly established commercial or institutional areas with high automobile dependency and traffic volumes Residential Streets: Serve mostly lower density residential areas with limited neighborhood serving uses such as schools, churches and stores Industrial Streets: Serve mostly industrial, warehouse and related land uses with the need to cater to frequent large vehicular traffic Parkways: Serve mostly natural areas or parks
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Proposed Complete Street Vision Map

Mixed Use Streets

Commercial Streets

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Proposed Complete Street Vision Map

Residential Streets

Industrial Streets

Parkways

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Two Alternative Vehicular Network Street Types

Bike Lane (No Buffer)

Bike Network Streets incorporates on-street bike routes from the 2011 Bike Plan to serve as a basis for prioritizing bike facility design considerations Transit Network Streets potential streetcar or other enhanced on-street transit corridors needing special street design considerations to accommodate future transit options

Shared Lane

Buffered Bike Lane

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Proposed Complete Street Vision Map

Bike Network Streets

Bike lane example

Transit Streets

Bus Rapid Transit example 23

Pedestrian Zone Design Guidelines

Design guidelines for a variety of elements between the street curb and the building face
Street Furniture
Seating Bike racks / shelters Bollards Recycling/garbage bins Newspaper racks
Pedestrian Zone Pedestrian Zone

Transit Stops Driveways Urban Open Space

Plazas, pocket parks, parklets Sidewalk cafes

Pedestrian lighting Informational Kiosks Wayfinding and signage

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Street Zone Design Guidelines

Design guidelines for a elements in the street between the curbs
Safe speeds Couplets Slip streets Shared streets Bikeways On-street parking Transit lanes Road diets Chicanes

Street Zone

Speed tables Medians/islands Paving treatment Street lighting

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Intersection Zone Design Guidelines

Controlled and uncontrolled intersections including roundabouts Geometric design guidance Key pedestrian treatments Key bicycle treatments Key transit treatments

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Green Street Design Guidelines

Design guidelines for green elements consistent with iSWM
Landscaping
Bioretention Infiltration trenches Planter boxes Enhanced swales Landscaping in medians Underground detention

Pavement
Porous/permeable pavement Permeable asphalt/concrete Permeable brick pavers

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Implementation Considerations

Dallas Complete Streets

UrbanAdvantage

Complex Agency Roles on City Streets

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Street Improvement Implementation Opportunities

Various types of projects provide different opportunities, challenges and scope limitations for complete street implementation:
Street Construction/Reconstruction Projects Street Resurfacing/Restriping Projects Utility Replacement Projects Private Development Projects

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Street Construction Projects

Street construction / reconstruction projects provide the most comprehensive opportunities for planning and budgeting for complete street design elements from an early stage Recent improvements on Greenville Avenue and Bishop Avenue are examples Typically initiated by the City or other public agency based on scope defined in the needs inventory and bond programs (primary funding source) Proposed 2012 Bond Program includes specific complete street funding for 12 streets

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Proposed Complete Street Projects in Bond Program

Project District Bishop 1 Cedar Springs 14 Davis Street 1 Grand Avenue 7 Greenville 14 Henderson Avenue 2 Jefferson 1 Knox Street 14 Lamar Street 7 Main Street 2 Meadowcreek Drive 12 MLK 7 Alpha Road* 11

* Funded through 2006 Bond Program 32

Complete Street Improvement Process

Street Construction Projects Three stage process defines role of the Complete Streets Design Manual relative to other regulations and policies Primarily role of the Complete Streets Design Manual is in the early corridor planning and conceptual design stages

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Complete Street Improvement Process

Street Construction Projects Key steps highlighted to integrate complete street design considerations in the street planning and design and construction process

Public input

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Operation And Maintenance

Complete Streets will introduce new operation and maintenance considerations:
New design elements that the City has not typically maintained in the past, such as enhanced pedestrian and bicycle facilities and landscaping Cost increases and tradeoffs from new complete street design elements will need to be taken into consideration from the early stages of project scopes and budgets Need for testing and evaluation with pilot projects and creative solutions through public-private partnerships
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Street Resurfacing or Restriping Projects

These projects can provide opportunities to implement modest complete street changes within existing curbs, if annual budget constraints allow Implementation of complete street elements through resurfacing or restriping projects should ensure that improvements connect destinations Early implementation of the Dallas Bike Plan has begun linking key trails through street striping projects Proposed 2012-13 annual budget provides additional funding in Streets budget to facilitate bike plan implementation through street striping Proposed 2012 Bond Program includes funding for street resurfacing that will also address bike plan implementation through street striping where feasible
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Utility Replacement Projects

Typically focused on utility replacement with repair of impacted streets Typically initiated by Dallas Water Utilities or private utility companies Typically funded through Dallas Water Utility revenue bonds or by private utility companies based on franchise agreements Opportunities should be explored to coordinate utility replacement projects with street improvement projects to simultaneously implement complete streets along strategic corridors where possible

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Private Development Projects

Private development projects provide opportunities for incremental implementation of complete streets design elements along development frontages in the form of improved sidewalks, streetscape and other pedestrianoriented amenities Zoning and subdivision regulations control streetscape standards for private development City licensing regulations control private investment in improvements in the public right-of-way Integration of new complete street design standards into relevant sections of the Dallas Code is needed to facilitate complete street implementation through private developments

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Implementation Strategies

Dallas Complete Streets

UrbanAdvantage

Implementation Objectives
Introduce and institutionalize new policies into street design and development practices Align the Citys regulations with proposed Dallas Complete Streets policy Ensure phased and systematic implementation across departmental lines
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Implementation Strategies
Action 1 Action 2
Adopt the Complete Streets Design Manual through Council Resolution Task a Team with Effective Leadership, Resources and Responsibility for Complete Street Policy Implementation Across Departments Establish an Effective Implementation Process for Complete Street Improvement Projects Implement Phased Thoroughfare Plan amendments Amend Other Related Policies and Regulations for Consistency and Linkage to Complete Streets Manual Explore Alternative Funding Mechanisms for Complete Streets Capital and Operation / Maintenance Costs Expand Dallas Current Offering of Neighborhood-Initiated Street Improvement Programs to Incorporate Complete Streets Design Options and Considerations Initiate a Monitoring & Evaluation Program
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Action 3 Action 4 Action 5 Action 6 Action 7

Action 8

Discussion

UrbanAdvantage

Appendix: Implementation Actions

UrbanAdvantage

Strategic Action 1
Action 1 FY 12-13, 1st Qtr.

Adopt the Complete Streets Design Manual through Council Resolution

Acknowledge changing trends towards a more sustainable transportation system through proactive implementation of a complete streets program Establish the Dallas Complete Street Manual as the comprehensive street design policy guide and the basis for future Thoroughfare Plan and code amendments

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Strategic Action 2
Action 2

Task a Team with Effective Leadership, Resources and Responsibility for Complete Street Policy Implementation Across Departments
Assign leadership and ombudsman role to one group/department Include city departments involved in planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of street-related improvements:
Public Works & Transportation City Design Studio Sustainable Development and Construction Economic Development Streets

FY 12-13, 1st Qtr.

Establish team responsibility to include coordination of all aspects of complete streets policy implementation:
Street improvement projects Regulatory changes Private development project review
45 Ongoing staff training to institutionalize complete streets design practices

Strategic Action 3
Action 3 FY 12-13; Ongoing

Establish an Effective Implementation Process for Complete Street Improvement Projects

Maintain an ongoing priority list of capital improvement and resurfacing/restriping projects that are budgeted to include complete street design elements Ensure early and continual inter-departmental coordination to facilitate proper execution of complete streets design principles from corridor planning through conceptual design, engineering and construction Focus on reaching early consensus on conceptual street cross-sections and project scopes through community involvement during the corridor planning stage Conduct temporary complete street demonstrations as needed to test new street design solutions involving significant change from current conditions Ensure coordination with utility repair/replacement projects where relevant
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Strategic Action 4
Action 4 Initiated; Ongoing FY 12-13

Implement Phased Thoroughfare Plan amendments

Implement a strategic work program of targeted, case-by-case thoroughfare plan amendments to incorporate complete street design changes for funded street improvement projects Amend the Thoroughfare Plan to clarify the administrative relationship with the Complete Streets Manual and to incorporate complete street typology and policy guidance Undertake a comprehensive, citywide update of the Thoroughfare Plan functional and dimensional classifications

FY 13-14

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Strategic Action 5
Action 5 FY 12-13 FY 12-13

Amend Other Related Policies and Regulations for Consistency and Linkage to Complete Streets Manual
Update forwardDallas! Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element Incorporate complete street design practices into engineering manuals in coordination with iSWM (Public Works, Streets, Dallas Water Utilities, Trinity Watershed Management) Evaluate ROW use regulations and licensing requirements relative to best practices for encouraging private investment in public ROW:
Landscaping, street furniture, street lighting, awnings and other non-revenue producing public amenities Sidewalk cafes and other private revenue producing uses On-street parking

FY12-13

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Strategic Action 5 (contd.)

Action 5 (Cont.) FY 12-13

Amend Other Related Policies and Regulations for Consistency and Linkage to Complete Streets Manual
Amend Chapter 28 and 43 of the Dallas Code
Consistency in traffic operation and speed standards Encouraging on-street parking where appropriate

FY 12-14

Amend the Dallas Development Code (Chapter 51-A)

Sidewalk and planting zone width requirements and design standards Complete street design guidance for minor streets and subdivisions Sidewalk policy waivers Standards for access management, drive cuts and drive closures Ownership, responsibility and maintenance of rights-of-way

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Strategic Action 6
Action 6 Explore Alternative Funding Mechanisms for Complete

Streets Capital and Operation / Maintenance Costs

FY 12-13

Review TIF and PID requirements to proactively encourage Complete Streets implementation and maintenance through public/private partnerships Explore new opportunities for funding capital and operation/maintenance costs through public-private partnerships and grant opportunities Bring recommendations forward for Council consideration to address enhanced public funding options for complete street project implementation

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Strategic Action 7
Action 7

Expand Dallas Current Offering of Neighborhood-Initiated Street Improvement Programs to Incorporate Complete Streets Design Options and Considerations
Expand on current traffic calming, pavement and sidewalk petition and safe routes to school programs to incorporate a broader list of design options based on the Complete Streets Design Manual Initiate a competitive neighborhood matching grant program focused on modest complete street improvements similar to the Loving My Community program

FY 12-13

FY 13-14

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Strategic Action 8
Action 8 FY 12-13

Initiate a Monitoring & Evaluation Program

Incorporate a Monitoring & Evaluation Plan into the Complete Street corridor planning and development process Identify measures of effectiveness consistent with the Complete Street project context using FHWA and AASHTO as a guide Measure return on Complete Streets investment in quantitative and qualitative terms Establish time horizons and frequency of data collection based on realistic expectations Identify and conduct public surveys that respond to stakeholder goals, objectives and expectations

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