BLDG55554

Planning and Urban Design

Fundamentals
Week 06 - Module 04
Transit - Streets

Dr. Amr Merdan

Planning and Urban Design Fundamentals
What We Will Learn in this Course?
Week 1 Module 1: History – City Analysis – Definitions (1)
Week 2 Module 1: History – City Analysis – Historical Analysis (2)
Week 3 Module 2: Scale, Macro/Regional to Micro/Municipal (1)
Week 4 Module 2: Scale, Macro/Regional to Micro/Municipal (2) Assignment 1: City Analysis – Overview of a Place 20%
Week 5 Module 3: Pedestrian – Orientation
 Week 6 Module 4: Transit – Streets Assignment 2: Design Element – Streets Circulation 10%
Week 7 Module 5: Scale – Massing
Reading Week – No Class
Week 8 Module 6: Land Use – Buildings
Week 9 Module 7: Natural Resources – Open Spaces
Week 10 Module 8: Public Realm Assignment 3: Design Element – Building Use/Placement 15%
Week 11 Module 9: Parking
Week 12 Module 10: Density Assignment 4: Public Space/Park/Square 15%
Week 13 Review and Feedback
Week 14 Final Assignment 5 – Final: Urban Design Analysis 40%
Today we will …
Week 6 – Module 4: Transit - Streets
- Introduction
- Streets and Placemaking
- Streets and Modes of Travels
- Street Users
- Users Comparison
- Pedestrians
- Cyclists
- Green Infrastructure
- Transit
- Roadway
- Intersection
- Street Types
- Design Features Toward Complete Street
Introduction
Streets are critical arteries for transporting goods and people, but they are also the places where we live, work,
play and interact. The design and management of an urban street must reflect and accommodate these diverse
and competing uses. The layout and operation of streets can prioritize and enhance particular uses for the
benefit of all.
Streets and Placemaking
Streets and Placemaking
Streets are more than just corridors for movement. They shape
the experience and memory of a city. Streets should:
• Respect and respond to their existing and planned local
context, physical characteristics and civic role.
• Create vibrant and attractive public spaces
• Help support objectives for an environmentally
sustainable and resilient city.
• Support economic vitality
• Enhance social equity
• Be flexible and cost effective
Streets and Mode of Travels
Applying the proper service to each
market segment requires an
understanding of the operating
characteristics of the available
modes and their fit within the
transportation system.
Transit modes are differentiated by:
• average speed,
• carrying capacity,
• availability as measured by
average distance between
stops (called stop spacing),
and
• the level to which exclusive
rights-of-way are required.
Streets and Mode of Travels

Then Now
Streets and Mode of Travels

A new Approach to Street Design

Streets and Mode of Travels

A new Approach to Street Design

Streets and Mode of Travels
Existing 60 km/h

Reconstruction: 40 km/h
Street Users
Street Users
Street Users - Pedestrians
Street Users - Cyclists
Street Users – Different Transit Moods
Street Users – Personal Motor Vehicles
Street Users – Moving Goods & City Services
Street Users - Business
Street Users – Users Comparison
Street Users – Users Comparison
Street Users – Users Comparison
Pedestrians
1. Accessibility and Mobility. A top priority is to from sun, rain, wind and snow. Carefully arrange
provide accessible sidewalks and facilities for all street elements to support pedestrian activities, and
Design Principles users regardless of physical abilities or age. Ensure
clear, direct, unobstructed continuous paths of a
to provide a safe buffer between pedestrians and
moving traffic.
suitable context-sensitive width to serve existing and
anticipated pedestrian flows. Minimize or remove 6. Greening Infrastructure and Stormwater
clutter. Management. Incorporate passive stormwater
measures in boulevards where possible. Divert
2. Provide a Network of Continuous Sidewalks. stormwater into rain gardens, planting beds, or
Places that support walking are healthier, more permeable paving in the boulevard to reduce
vibrant, and resilient. Create a network of continuous potential for ponding. Green infrastructure enhances
sidewalks with dedicated space for pedestrians safely the quality of the street environment, and contributes
separated from cyclists and motorized vehicles. to mental and psychological health. Consider
sufficient soil and water for street trees to reach
3. Design for Safe Crossings. Pedestrian-friendly maturity. See Chapter 7 on Green Infrastructure for
design takes into account the frequency of crossing guidance.
opportunities, target speed, street width, intersection
geometry, visibility, signal timing and walk speeds for 7. Design for Efficient Maintenance. Consider
vulnerable pedestrians, such as seniors and persons materials and designs that are durable and easier to
with disabilities. See also Chapter 9 on Intersections maintain. Use City Standard Materials. Provide
for guidance. adequate access to utilities for maintenance.
Consider snow storage and waste and recycling
4. Placemaking. Sidewalks are public spaces where collection. Coordinate repairs and upgrades, if
people interact. Design sidewalks to invite, with feasible, to minimize impact to pedestrians.
seating, trees, cafés, public art, lighting, and places
to gather. Create opportunities suited to the street’s 8. Coordination with Utilities. The location, use,
context. Design to evolve with changing demands. and maintenance of utilities needs to be coordinated
Consider current and future pedestrians and uses. early on in street projects. Ensure pedestrian
clearway needs are met for universal accessibility.
5. Design for Comfort. Provide sidewalks of Seek ways to minimize conflicts among utilities,
adequate width for the context. Design sidewalks and street furnishings, trees, and landscaping.
boulevards for uses all year long. Street trees offer
shade and relief
Pedestrians
Pedestrians
Pedestrians
Pedestrians
Pedestrians
Pedestrians
Pedestrians
Pedestrians
Cyclists
Cyclists
1. Apply context–appropriate designs. Faster, 5. Intersection safety and mixing zones. Continue
busier streets create more risk for cyclists and will bicycle lane markings through intersections and
Design Principles need greater separation and protection for cyclists.
Quiet streets with low traffic volumes and low speeds
pedestrian crossing markings over cycling routes and
clearly mark conflict areas. Consider providing
may provide a comfortable cycling experience without visible, designated space for cyclists to wait and
a dedicated cycling facility. make turns. Avoid pedestrian and cyclist mixing
zones, especially at intersections with high
2. Design for both present and future users. pedestrian volumes.
Cycling ridership numbers will grow if a cycling facility
is provided on a street that was previously 6. Supply adequate bicycle parking and Bike
uncomfortable for cycling. Where cyclist volumes are Share access. Support and encourage cycling
growing, consider widening the cycling facilities. through Toronto’s bike sharing system - Bike Share
Toronto, and a convenient and adequate supply of
3. Prioritize the most vulnerable road users. bicycle parking, including multi-unit corrals especially
Vulnerable users can be seriously injured or killed in in mixed use, institutional, and commercial areas.
even minor collisions. Think of how to design facilities
for all types of cyclists, as well as the protection of 7. Design and maintain bike-friendly curbside
pedestrians of all ages and abilities. Protect conditions. Ensure catch basin covers are bike-
pedestrians from cyclists by providing cycling friendly, and that debris, water and ice do not
facilities that are separated from sidewalks using accumulate where people will be cycling.
design treatments that respond to both pedestrian
and cycling speeds and volumes. Treatments range 8. Surface conditions. Provide smooth riding
from buffers and physical delineators to visual surfaces as much as possible by re-paving before
contrast and tactile indicators. adding cycling facilities, and regular maintenance,
such as sweeping and snow ploughing. Provide
4. Visible, intuitive cycling facilities. Clear pavement markings that guide cyclists safely across
delineation of the cycling path of travel and streetcar tracks.
wayfinding can improve safety for all road users. Use
pavement markings, signs, grade change between
users and physical design, like buffers, to mitigate
hazards, such as car doors opening, or pedestrians
walking into bicycle paths.
Cyclists
Cyclists
 Cyclists

Parking protected Parking protected Buffered bike lane

bike lane behind bus bike lane on bus lane behind bus lane
lane
Green Infrastructure
1. Street trees and landscaping. Seek ways to people of all ages and abilities. Tree pits, openings
Design Principles incorporate and provide healthy growing conditions and grates on the sidewalk are not considered part of
for trees and/or landscaping to improve air quality, the pedestrian clearway.
mitigate urban heat-island effect, enhance ecosystem
health, and contribute to community character. Select 5. Operations and maintenance. Design for ease of
planting locations, spacing and design details (e.g., maintenance, such as through passive irrigation,
adequate soil volume, water and sun access) so that selecting context-sensitive native plant species and
trees and landscaping will flourish. Trees can frame planning for safe access to maintain green
and define streets, calm traffic by visually narrowing infrastructure. Coordinate green infrastructure with
the roadway, and add texture, shade and visual utilities during design, construction and for the long
interest. term. Seek opportunities to partner with BIAs and
other local stakeholders to assist with the design and
2. Stormwater management. Use a variety of “Low maintenance of green elements.
Impact Development” techniques to minimize
stormwater load on Toronto’s sewer system and 6. Achieving multiple environmental objectives.
improve water quality through natural filtration. Consider ways to combine environmental design,
Reduce stormwater runoff and potential flooding of such as tree canopy expansion, stormwater retention,
streets and natural areas. Strategies include and microclimate moderation into single street
minimizing impervious surfaces and promoting features like roadside rain gardens.
infiltration of rainwater and stormwater runoff.
7. Sustainable energy. Consider energy generation,
3. Visibility and safety. Ensure adequate visibility is use and management by selecting, designing and
maintained, especially at street corners, traffic lights, siting street elements such as solar lighting, parking
traffic signs, transit stops and driveways. Where there machines, Bike Share Stations and street furniture to
is vegetation, ensure maintenance programs contribute to an energy efficient city.
maintain appropriate sightlines. Clear sightlines are
important to the safety of all road users. 8. Sustainable transportation. Provide greener,
healthier mobility choices so that more people walk,
4. Universal accessibility. Design to promote bicycle, take public transit and carpool. Reduce
universal accessibility, such as through the selection vehicular congestion, greenhouse gas emissions and
of materials and elements, to accommodate air pollution.
Green Infrastructure
Green Infrastructure
Transit
1. Enhance transit users’ experience. Enhance the queue, avoiding significant delays. At stops with
Design Principles reliability, frequency and speed for transit by adjacent on-street parking, transit platform bulb-outs
prioritizing space for transit and by implementing can help people board or alight faster, and they make
signal priority. Consider ways to improve it easier for transit vehicles to pull back into traffic.
convenience and comfort for users through amenities Remove or relocate on-street parking away from a
such as transit shelters, bus stop landing pads, transit stop and supplement it with traffic signs to
streetcar platforms, street furniture, lighting, greening, ensure the space is clear for transit vehicles all the
public art and real-time travel and route information. time.

2. Make connections safe, convenient, and 6. Traffic signal control strategies. Traffic signal
seamless. Facilitate ease of transfers among progression or coordination aims to provide a wave of
different transit routes, walking, cycling and other “green lights” on corridors with on-street transit.
modes of transportation, such as sidewalks and Transit signal priority is another method to enhance
crossings to transit stops, bicycle parking and Bike transit performance and keep transit on schedule.
Share Toronto, and wayfinding information. Time-based turn restrictions can help prevent
significant delays to transit and other drivers on busy
3. Visible, safe and convenient transit stops. routes.
Stops should be located at signalized intersections,
or at controlled crossings (e.g. PXOs), as it allows for 7. Transit streets are safe for walking and cycling.
safe access to stops or when making route transfers. Create safe streets for people to walk and cycle and
Locate stops near pedestrian generators. safe crossings – as they are most often the
customers who use transit.
4. Universally accessible transit stops and
facilities. Design for all users, with universal 8. Transit streets are linear public spaces.
accessibility, comfort and mobility of passengers in Creating streets as places will enhance the
mind, such as accessible transit shelters that attractiveness of transit and its ability to support the
accommodate the pedestrian clearway, curb ramps city’s social, economic and environmental vitality.
for new LRT stops, tactile walking surface indicators Repurpose underutilized space for parklets, plazas
on platforms and at stops delineating raised cycling and cafés.
facilities, and accessible pedestrian signals.
9. Design for growth. Streets can be designed to
5. Curbside design to support transit efficiency. retain current riders and attract new riders through
Where appropriate, queue-jump lanes provide the coordinated planning of transit expansion and
opportunities for buses to move to the front of the new development.
Transit
Transit
Transit
Elements
- Dedicated or exclusive transit
lanes
- Reserved lanes or shared transit
lanes
- Transit Stops
- Transit Platform Bulb-outs
Roadway
1. Multi-modal transportation. Give reliable, along with target speed, can help improve
Design Principles convenient and attractive mobility choices to people consistency in travel times. Peak-hour restrictions for
and support more efficient, active and healthier forms stopping, parking and turn movements can improve
of travel (by foot, bicycle, transit) to reduce vehicular travel times along key routes. This helps to manage
congestion. Provide emergency access and demand and road capacity during peak travel times.
operations. Support goods movement and delivery by
different modes. Identify and support existing and 4. Placemaking. Consider existing and planned land
planned priority networks for each mode. uses, urban form, and the different uses of the street
(e.g., social and economic activities) when making
2. Safety. Fully consider road users who are decisions about competing demands for space on the
particularly vulnerable in a crash or in interactions street. Seek ways to provide space, for example,
with other road users, such as pedestrians through building setbacks and/or repurposing
(especially children, older adults and persons with underused roadway space for streetscaping, street
disabilities) and cyclists. Seek ways to reduce their trees, street furniture, café or marketing areas,
exposure to risk (e.g., rightsized travel lanes, parklets, bicycle parking, pedestrian lighting, snow
repurpose underused road space and separate storage and removal, etc.
pedestrians from cyclists). Provide visible, clear and
predictable travel paths for all road users. 5. Greening and stormwater management. Limit
the area of impervious materials. Seek ways to
3. Context-sensitive target speed and reliable integrate street trees, landscape features, as well as
travel. Create a safer environment for everyone by water retention and treatment strategies and snow
using design to facilitate the intended speed of travel storage. Promote non-motorized modes to reduce
for drivers based on the street’s context. Safer greenhouse gas emissions and air and noise
speeds and driver behaviours result in fewer pollution. Use materials that contribute to
incidents on the roadway that can cause delays and sustainability, life-cycle performance and reduce the
vehicular congestion, which negatively impact urban heat island effect. See Chapter 7 on Green
emergency access and goods movement. Infrastructure for design guidance.
Coordinated signals,
Intersection
1. Safety first: Intersections are where the most They also minimize pedestrian crossing distances
Design Principles points of conflict occur between different street users. and exposure to risk for vulnerable road users. They
The design of intersections should first ensure safe can also shorten signal cycle lengths which benefits
crossing for the most vulnerable users. all modes by reducing delay and improving
convenience.
2. Predictability: Provide clear guidance for all users
on where crossing movements are expected and the 7. Active transportation: Observe and anticipate
correct path of permitted movements. Simplify pedestrian and cyclist desire lines to inform design
complex intersections where possible. based on street context. For example, provide
depressed curb ramps and wider crosswalks in
3. Visibility: Ensure unobstructed sightlines among locations with higher pedestrian volumes, and bike
road users at intersections. Locate crosswalks close boxes where needed to enhance safety for cyclists
to the intersection to improve the visibility of making turns.
pedestrians to drivers. Reduce physical barriers and
visual clutter. 8. Transit: Incorporate transit stops at intersections
to allow for convenient transfers for transit users.
4. Multi-modal: Select traffic controls based on Consider transit priority measures based on street
equitable consideration of all street users, the street’s context.
context and role in the network. Analyze capacity
from a multi-modal perspective, focusing on 9. Placemaking: Depending on street context and
movement of people, rather than vehicles. width, repurpose space to enhance quality of life with
greening, street furniture, or public art gateways,
5. Accessibility: Incorporate accessible design at especially to define the entrance to unique
intersections, such as tactile walking surface neighbourhoods.
indicators, curb ramps or depressed curbs,
accessible pedestrian signals, walk speeds at 10. Maintenance and operations: Intersections
crossings for all ages and abilities, and access to should function well for all users all year, e.g. design
transit stops, etc. to prevent ponding at ramps and snow from blocking
access to pedestrian push buttons.
6. Compact design and shorter crossings:
Compact intersections tend to lower motor vehicle 11. Manage stormwater: Incorporate green street
operating speeds and enable more eye contact, elements depending on street context and width,
which increases safety. such as on curb extension to reduce stormwater
runoff and improve air quality and beautify.
Intersection
Street Types
Streets have many different roles, characters, and functions that depend on their context – whether in a busy,
dense downtown environment, in a quiet low-rise residential neighbourhood, a retail shopping area, near
parkland, or in an industrial area. Streets type is determined by examining the two most fundamental roles of the
streets: movement and placemaking. A street’s design objectives begin to emerge from a greater
understanding and analysis of these roles.

Many factors inform the understanding and identification of street types

Street Types
The Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines present a series of distinct
street types that attempt to best reflect a range of existing and planned
contexts in Toronto. They are based on recent experiences designing
and constructing streets in Toronto. This is not an exhaustive list of
every type of possible street that could exist.

1. Civic Street 9. Scenic Street

2. Downtown & Centres Main Street 10. Park Street
3. Avenue & Neighbourhood Main 11. Employment Street
Street
Civic Street
4. Downtown & Centres Residential 12. Mixed Use Access Street
Street Civic Streets are streets with symbolic,
5. Apartment Neighbourhood 13. Mixed Use Shared Street cultural or ceremonial importance, often
Residential Street distinguished by their landmark quality, and
unique role in the civic life and identity of the
6. Neighbourhood Residential Street 14. Residential Shared Street city. These streets are destinations typically
7. Mixed Use Connector Street 15. Mixed Use Lane lined with clusters of civic, institutional,
8. Residential Connector Street 16. Residential Lane government, cultural buildings, significant
open spaces or other public landmarks.
Street Types

Downtown & Centres Main Streets Avenue & Neighbourhood Main Street Downtown & Centres Residential
Downtown & Centres Main Streets are vibrant Avenue & Neighbourhood Main Streets are Street
mixed-use streets located in the city’s higher- vibrant streets that serve as a local focus for These streets are found in the Downtown and
density growth areas. They support a wide Toronto’s many neighbourhoods. These Main Centres and support primarily higher-density
range of land uses, activities, and are often Streets typically follow busy surface transit residential neighbourhood uses, with taller
home to prominent commercial, retail and routes with a mix of uses and especially retail buildings and higher levels of pedestrian
mixed-use buildings. These streets are often at street level. activity than the other residential streets.
surface transit priority routes in the City’s
Official Plan and in the Downtown, and many
have busy streetcar routes.
Street Types

Apartment Neighbourhood Neighbourhood Residential Street Mixed-Use Connector Street

Residential Street Neighbourhood Residential Streets are found Mixed Use Connector Streets are found
Apartment Neighbourhood Residential Streets throughout in areas generally considered as throughout the city, but more often outside of
are found throughout the city and are typically physically stable residential areas. A range of the downtown and central neighbourhoods.
lined with a range of residential buildings: building types under four storeys in height are These streets are often longer and more
townhouses, walkups, mid-rise buildings, and permitted in Neighbourhoods, including single continuous, providing direct travel routes for
tall buildings. family residential and multi-family residential people and goods that span and connect
properties. several neighbouring communities and areas.
Street Types

Residential Connector Street Scenic Street Park Street

Residential Connector Streets are similar to Scenic Streets are found throughout the city Park Streets are streets found within,
Mixed Use Connector Streets – their primarily where there is a strong relationship with adjacent to, or leading to city parks. They
role is to facilitate transportation for all modes natural features like ravines and the provide local neighbourhood connections and
– but they provide travel routes and waterfront, or with significant parks and green access to park facilities. Park Streets are
connectivity within and through mainly spaces. primarily intended to support and complement
residential areas of the city. parks and recreation uses.
Street Types

Employment Street Mixed-Use Access Street Mixed-Use Shared Street

Employment Streets support industrial or Mixed Use Access Streets are found mostly Shared Streets are most often found in areas
commercial uses inside Employment Areas. within the Downtown and the Centres. Mixed supported by a high level of pedestrian
Buildings usually range from multi-storey Use Access Streets primarily provide ‘rear’ activity, usually in mixed-use areas in the
commercial offices, to lower-rise wholesale or service and access functions to adjacent Downtowns and Centres. They are
large-format retail, warehouse, and commercial and residential properties, which sometimes designed without curbs. Different
manufacturing buildings. Buildings are often often have their front doors on other nearby modes share the space together, but
set back from the property line with parking or Main Streets. pedestrians typically have the highest priority.
landscaping between the building and street.
Street Types

Residential Shared Street Mixed-Use Lane Residential Lane

Residential Shared Streets are streets in Mixed Use Lanes are found in the Downtown, Residential Lanes are found throughout the
primarily residential areas that mix all modes Centres and Avenues, and other mixed use city and typically provide rear access for
together to blend and blur the spaces and areas in the city. These lanes support vehicle pedestrians and vehicles to garages, parking,
zones of the streets. All modes are expected and pedestrian access to buildings of various and rear entrances of single family homes
to travel no faster than walking speed. uses. They are typically narrow access routes and low-rise residential buildings.
flanked by the rear or side faces of abutting
Residential Lanes have the opportunity to
properties.
become attractive public spaces that support
informal play and social interaction.
Design Features Toward Complete Street
Neighborhood Main Street
Design Features Toward Complete Street
Neighborhood Main Street
Design Features Toward Complete Street
Residential Street
Design Features Toward Complete Street
Residential Street
Design Features Toward Complete Street
Downtown & Centres Main Street
Design Features Toward Complete Street
Downtown & Centres Main Street
Design Features Toward Complete Street
Shared Streets in Commercial Areas
Design Features Toward Complete Street
Shared Streets in Commercial Areas
Design Features Toward Complete Street
Shared Streets in Residential Areas
Design Features Toward Complete Street
Shared Streets in Residential Areas
Complete Street
Complete Street
Complete Street
References

Sydney, Australia