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Pace Development Guidelines |
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Pace Development Guidelines |
A. RESIDENTIAL LAND USE
Residential developments can be designed with site features that enhance transit accessibility and development serviceability. These characteristics can minimize traveling distances to transit service, provide direct walking and bicycling routes to transit stops and allow for transit service in appropriate locations within a development.
*Residence should be situated so that walking distances for transit users do not exceed one-quarter mile or, in low density areas having less than 2,000 people per square mile or, in low density areas having less than 2,000 people per square mile, one-half mile to a transit stop. People generally prefer to walk a quarter mile or less to a transit stop. For the elderly and mobility limited, access distance is particularly important when selecting their mode of transportation.
*Walkway systems should be constructed to provide direct pedestrian links from development buildings to transit stops in an effort to minimize walking distances. Walkways can be located through open space areas and along designated easements to provide direct routes from buildings to transit stops. Walkways also should be constructed around the perimeter of all developments and on at least one side of the development's internal roadways to promote pedestrian circulation and convenience. An example of a pedestrian walkway network that provides direct access to transit service can be found in Figure VI-1.
Often walkways will not be used if they are perceived as undesirable by pedestrians. Adequate lighting must be provided along walkways to provide pedestrians with a clear view of the surrounding areas.
As an additional convenience to transit users, route identification signs providing accurate route and schedule information can be located along walkways to direct pedestrians to transit stops. Examples of route information signs are presented in Section V, Figure V-4
*Roadways should be designed to permit transit service to appropriate locations within a development. While grid street layouts are preferred for transit service, acceptable non-grid designs can be established. A central collector street that runs through the residential area can be incorporated into a development's site design to allow resident access to transit and provide a direct transit route. This route should allow transit vehicles to enter and exit a development in a continuous service route direction, facilitating bus movement to minimize travel times (Figure VI-2). The width, pavement and grade guidelines outlined in Chapter IV, Roadway Design, should be considered when designing the collector roadways. In addition, these designs require that particular attention be given to connective internal walkway systems.
A bus turnaround system as described in Chapter IV--although not preferred--can be incorporated into a development's site plan if a through street is not appropriate. Bus turnarounds provide transit access for residents and allow buses to return to major arterial streets.
*Bicycle routes can and should be provided for within and around developments to encourage cycling for commuting and recreational purposes. These routes should be coordinated with existing municipal bikeway networks in an effort to establish major bicycle corridors that provide access to a variety of land uses. Bicycle routes also should be linked to transit stops to provide cyclists with access to public transportation. Convenient storage of bicycles can be offered if bicycle racks, lockers or monitored parking is located near bus stop locations and at all park-n-ride facilities.
Bicycle routes can be separated from vehicle traffic or designated on roadways through pavement markings and freestanding signs. Minimum pavement widths should be 8 feet for a two-way system located on one side of a roadway or 5 feet fora two-way system located on one side of a roadway or 5 feet for a one-way system located on each side of a roadway. The bikeways should be designed with an additional two-foot shoulder on each side.(1) Developments also can be designed with a walkway on one side of a street and a bikeway on the other side to encourage both pedestrian and bicycle mobility.
*Park-and-ride facilities can be provided at appropriate transit service points to concentrate transit riders, particularly those from low density developments that do not receive frequent transit service. These convenient collection and transfer points provide a means for transit users to gain access to transit service such as traditional fixed route, express bus and subscription bus operations. These lots also can be used as "park-n-pool" locations to consolidate riders participating in vanpools and carpools.
To provide a high level of access to transit, park-n-ride lots are generally located along major transit routes and immediately adjacent to one or more limited access highways or major arterials. Site selection is based on such features as travel time from point of origin to destination, competing service and facilities, feeder route length, site access points, service accommodation needs as well as site characteristics and amenities.(2)
As a convenience to transit users, businesses that provide personal services can be located adjacent to park-n-ride facilities. Services such as daycare and dry-cleaning can be offered for transit users in an effort to reduce the need for automobile trips.
Park-n-ride facilities also can be incorporated into transportation centers and transfer facilities where a number of transit routes and modes intersect. Additionally, transit user parking can be combined with parking facilities used for recreational or commercial purposes. Since periods of use oftentimes vary, both demands can be efficiently accommodated.
The design of Pace park-n-ride lots will differ according to facility size and locational features. The Pace Passenger Facility and Park-n-Ride Guidelines outline design criteria such as walkways, pavement design, parking space dimensions and types, synage, lighting, landscaping and passenger amenities for Regional, Subregional, Local and Vanpool park-n-ride lots. This report can be obtained upon request from the Strategic Planning Department Manager at (847)228-2429.
1. American Assocation of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Guide for Development of New Bicycle Facilities (Washington, D.C.: October 1981), pp. 14-18.
2. Pace, Passenger Facility and Park-n-Ride Guidelines (Arlington Heights, IL: May 1991) pp. 7-24.
Revised: November, 1999.