roadspace allocation for better streets

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Birmingham Connected: Reallocating Roadspace

for Better Streets

Roadspace Allocation for Better Streets

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Introduction Roadspace Allocation for Better Streets

1. What is Roadspace Allocation? 2. Local Context - Birmingham

Connected 3. Why a Roadspace Allocation

Framework? 4. Developing a Roadspace Allocation

Framework 5. Street Classification 6. Understanding User Requirements 7. Meeting the User Requirements 8. Case Studies

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What is Roadspace Allocation? Roadspace Allocation for Better Streets

• One of the great challenges in contemporary transport planning

• Our inheritance is a highway, built around car users

• In many places, not desirable • mass transit, walking and cycling

becoming increasingly critical • people to make do with the periphery of a

highway dominated environment • the role of high streets is changing, quality

of environment is more important than ever

• So how we allocate scare roadspace is critical • Difficult, inevitably means compromises

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Local Context - Birmingham Connected Roadspace Allocation for Better Streets

• Birmingham Connected White Paper - launched 13 November 2014 • 20 year transport strategy - sets a new direction for transport

• Vision is to create a transport system which puts the user first and delivers the connectivity that people and businesses require.

• At the heart of the vision is an integrated mass transit network of Tram, Metro and BRT routes, underpinned by a bus network.

• Ambitious plans for growth

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Why a Roadspace Allocation Framework? Roadspace Allocation for Better Streets

• So a framework to guide roadspace allocation is critical…

• Provides a mechanism for delivering vision • Translates wider requirements for networks

into localised level design guidance • Provides a consistent basis for prioritising

roads user requirements and allocating roadspace

• Considers place function • Teases out what the priorities are, linking

into Spatial Planning policy • Politicians and members can sell the

compromises more easily if they can point to a compelling wider vision

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Developing a Roadspace Allocation Framework Roadspace Allocation for Better Streets

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Street Classification Roadspace Allocation for Better Streets

• Link and Place – principle is to account for the competing needs of street users

• Link – a road or path where users pass through • Place – a destination in its own right.

• Data gathering and review exercise • Mapped datasets as layers, and applied filters

to assemble Link and Place types.

• Five-by-five Link and Place matrix was developed, plus…

• Off-Network Sites, such as out of town shopping centres and industrial estates

• Interchange sites such as rail stations. • Future networks and spatial plans

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Street Classification Roadspace Allocation for Better Streets

• Bespoke Five-by-five Link and Place matrix for Birmingham

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Existing Network

Future Network

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Understanding User Requirements Roadspace Allocation for Better Streets

• Worked with project partners to understand the requirements of different street user groups:

• street activities (driving, parking, boarding-alighting, window shopping etc.

Sustrans Design Manual • Handbook for cycle-friendly design

• associated street design needs (i.e. bus lane width, area of a cycle stand).

• Design requirements (both minimum and desirable), to identify road space needed.

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Meeting the User Requirements Roadspace Allocation for Better Streets

• Step 1 – Consider Street Classification: identify the link and place functions of the street section

• Step 2 – Consider User Groups’ Requirements within Local Conditions/ Context: and

• Step 3 – Meeting the User Requirements: allocate roadspace in accordance to the notional user hierarchy

• Set out all the user requirements for the selected street section

• Starting point is the idealised design requirement for each

• If there is sufficient roadspace for all - no further guidance is required….

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Meeting the User Requirements Roadspace Allocation for Better Streets

• …in all other cases the Link and Place guidance serves to adjudicate between competing user requirements

• If minimum design requirements cannot be accommodated, the broad options are:

a) Share the space b) Allocate the space by time c) Direction based allocation

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d) Prioritising Key Users …if one or more of the user requirements (e.g. a cycle route, Sprint route, parking) may have to be reassigned/relocated. A strategic decision might be taken to downgrade the Link or Place classification, i.e. regeneration scheme or a by-pass.

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Case Studies - Redesigning Streets Roadspace Allocation for Better Streets

• Case studies were undertaken to road-test the Link and Place framework within different street environments across Birmingham.

• Through which a set of guiding principles for reallocating roadspace were established for each street type.

• The outcome of this process has been ‘to guide the prioritisation of user requirements, which are translated into physical roadspace allocations through the re-design of street layouts, and the application of suitable transport schemes, initiatives and urban design elements.’

• Case Studies included…

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Thanks for listening

Any questions?

Himanshu Budhiraja [email protected]

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Delivering Sustainable Transport

mailto:[email protected]

roadspace allocation for better streets

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