Liability issues, social needs dictate design

Moving people efficiently and safely through the places they live and work is a common challenge for developers. And although trends in transportation systems are changing, it still tends to follow commercial and residential development, not the reverse. The result: a need for well-designed roads, turn lanes and intersections.

This requires balancing Traffic Impact Analysis data and models (requirements of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 ISTEA) with the technical requirements of designing streets and access points.

For transportation Planners, the process typically begins with Traffic Impact Analysis procedures that vary from city to city. Consultants turn to data extrapolated from trip generation manuals as beginning tools in the planning process.

This data predicts vehicle usage based on empirical data such as number of vehicles per employee or number of vehicles per 100,000 square feet of space.

With residential analysis, however, transportation planners analyze vehicle usage based on the number of lots or houses.

The biggest challenge in residential traffic planning, according to Bruce Russell, an engineer and Fort Worth, Texas-based Carter and Burgess principal, is creating a balance of present and future needs and “to plan in such a way that future needs can be satisfied by future capital conditions.”

For example, residential developments require traffic systems that can move heavy traffic in the mornings and evenings. Industrial parks require systems that can accommodate cars and large trucks throughout the day.

With traffic simulation computer programs — such as TRAF-NETSIM transportation planners can graphically create traffic systems as they will appear in real-world conditions. Planners then come up with a model based on both real and simulated information.

Increasingly, planning for transportation networks is being done by private developers in close coordination with cities and state highway officials.

As the percentage of Americans living in urban areas climbs, governments are taking an active hand in regulating development compatibility.

In 1985, Florida legislators passed a law that created revolutionary changes in transportation planning,

“Our biggest issue as planners in Florida is dealing with concurrency — the idea that nothing can be developed independently of other elements,” says Bill Miller, who worked 32 years for the Florida Department of Transportation. “Road systems, water and sewer systems, school systems and retail facilities must be developed with each of the other components in mind.”

Increasingly, developers and planners must look globally at how one community links to the next. Where 30 years ago the challenge to transportation planners was creating roads sufficient for vehicles, today they must consider ways to move people and goods by means of car, truck, train, plane, sometimes boat — and always human feet.

Pedestrian flow is a transportation issue marching quickly to the top of the list. Whether the development is residential, retail or industrial, pedestrians are at the forefront of planning considerations;

Air quality considerations for new developments can include street design to allow access by buses and shopping center layouts that include special bus drop-off lanes.

Additionally, with passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, planners must design pedestrian routes that are efficient and safe for everyone, including those unable to see or hear traffic. In areas of heavy vehicular traffic, pedestrian paths can create many challenges.

And, liability issues and overall social needs are forcing cities across the country to build more sidewalks and trails. The challenge for planners, then, is to create ways to funnel pedestrians so that a dangerous pattern of foot traffic is not created.

In the years to come, a mix of vehicles, trains and pedestrians will become more the norm than the exception as development projects stretch to comply with government funding requirements.

Visitors will be able to input areas of interest into kiosk computers, which will be able to handle several different languages, and view travel and public transportation information according to location from the digital map. They will even be able to print Olympic event itineraries including route maps of favorite destinations based on current traffic conditions.

At GDOT, the data transmitted from field detection devices will be integrated with the software and displayed as real-time, color-coded traffic information on operator consoles and on a computerized, large-screen map.

This map shows the roadway network, locations of various detection devices and the traffic conditions monitored by the devices. The detectors will measure such factors as traffic volume, vehicle occupancy, speed and type of vehicle and then feed the information into the system.

“This is a regional project that gives transit riders and travelers real-time transportation information for the first time,” says Jerry Pachucki, MARTA director of planning and policy development. “With the coming of the Olympic Games, there has been a real push to showcase cutting-edge technology in transportation in a very high-profile way.”

Automatic Vehicle Locators. Nearly 250 MARTA buses will also feature Automatic Vehicle Locators (AVLs), which will help the agency track the vehicles on the computer map to provide real-time information for passengers.

In-vehicle stop announcements will be incorporated on 100 of the AVL-equipped buses, and automated bus passenger counters are being installed on 15 buses. Current plans are for 1 0 to 15 bus stops to feature changeable message signs by 1996.

Let The Games Begin!

As of press time, less than six months remain to get everything in shape for the millions who will descend on the city.

It has taken an incredible amount of work, dedication and cooperation by many people, companies, authorities and agencies.

“All of the people working on the project now and during the Games are going through a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says MARTA’s Simonetta.

“What we’ll all learn about transportation during the Games will be something we’ll carry with us throughout our professional lives,” he says. “After the Games, there will be other events … but nothing like this one. It’s not every day the world comes to visit.”