1999 Eugene Arterial & Collector Street Plan

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public in the context of the overall transportation system; • Facilitates understanding of the functional and operational differences between the different types of streets; • Facilitates understanding of the jurisdictional responsibility for various streets and roads, and the methods of financing roadway improvements; and • Serves as a guide and reference to design and operational decisions that may be made con- cerning the future improvement of any given street segment. Street Design The Arterial and Collector Street Plan provides direction for designing multi-modal improvements to the City's major streets. The document contains design guidelines and standards for streets, side- walks, bikeways, and transit facilities to provide for the safe and efficient operation of each facility type for all users, and to ensure that public space is used judiciously and appropriately. The street design concepts included in this plan attempt to maintain mobility and help ensure neigh- borhood livability, by providing for through travel on arterials and collectors that connect major destina- tions. The concepts also attempt to balance the mobility and accessibility functions of major streets by (1) providing for access from local areas to nearby activity centers, (2) improving bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities on major streets, and (3) offering an array of design approaches suitable to the com- plex and varied conditions found on those streets. These guidelines and standards directly address other livability factors by prescribing appropriate street designs that promote maintenance and improvement of neighborhood character. Major streets serve a development pattern that ranges from low-density residential neighborhoods to more densely developed commercial centers and corri- dors. A "one standard fits all" approach to street design is inconsistent with attempts to maintain livability under these conditions. On the other hand, good design will not always be able to completely mitigate the negative impacts of in- creased traffic levels on major streets-especially those that abut residential neighborhoods. In each situation, the design process will need to achieve a balance among competing objectives. Most situations involving street construction or improvements will require a degree of flexibility in applying the design standards. For both new and existing streets, there may be trees, buildings, right- of-way limitations or other features which may cause a narrower street to be constructed or may require "custom fitting" of certain design features. Public input from residents along the street and users of the street will need to be coupled with technical exper- tise, to create a street design that is sensitive to the specific needs and features of each situation. Street designs must consider the needs of people with disabilities, such as visually impaired pedestri- ans and people in wheelchairs. Efforts must be made to locate street hardware away from pedes- trian locations, provide a continuous route of travel, and provide a surface free of bumps and cracks which create safety and mobility problems. Designs need to provide for access ramps where they are required. Major streets also need to accommodate emergency vehicles and some level of usage by large vehicles such as garbage trucks and moving vans. All designs must conform to the 1991 Ameri- cans with Disabilities Act rules and regulations and to the City's standard specifications and drawings. Figure 1 illustrates elements which are typically incorporated in the transportation right-of-way such as sidewalks, planting strips, parking spaces, on- street bicycle lanes, and vehicle travel space which may include left turn lanes and median islands. The width, size, and design of the elements may differ depending on whether the roadway is classified as a local, neighborhood collector, major collector, minor arterial, or major arterial street. In addition, the exact number and width of travel lanes, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, landscaping, and other design features will need to be determined through a design process involving public input and review, prior to final construction plans being developed. The Arterial and Collector Street Plan is a policy implementation and design standards document. No specific projects are proposed in this plan. 10