Streets and Traffic

Streets are multi-functional – providing both circulation routes and public spaces. Design for all users in mind to minimise conflict.

Street Types:

Streets are classified in terms of ‘capacity’ and ‘character’.

• Capacity: how movement of every kind can be accommodated safely
• Character: the role of the street in the urban realm and the types of building and landscape that line it

Main Routes:

• Through routes bring life to schemes. Consider how they relate to the centre and links into the grid
• Maximise potential for through routes to create lively, viable mixed-use areas

Streets as Social Places:

• Consider desired street activities when designing street
• To integrate traffic create a network of spaces based on the movement framework. This should be guided by local context

Tracking:

A street designed on the principle of tracking will normally be traffic calmed because of its layout without the need for add on measures.

Junctions:

Buildings, footways and local context should define the design of a junction.

Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Crossings:

• The higher the volume of traffic, the more difficult it is to mix activities
• Provide wide, well lit and well landscaped crossings where major traffic routes cross major pedestrian routes
• Calm traffic through street design, buildings, spaces and activities etc
• New measures for existing street layouts should consider the local context