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| Safety, aesthetics, and context-sensitive design as it relates to Washington States population is growing at a rate that is placing ever-increasing demands upon our transportation system. Urban roadways, in particular, are suffering from significant additional functional burden. Engineers and planners from state, federal, and local agencies are challenged by the need to reconcile multiple, sometimes conflicting, expectations for urban roadways. |  |
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Much of the challenge involves balancing regional and local safety needs and requirements with the desire for aesthetic design features. Many of these features are considered fixed objects, as defined in the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide, and are often located within the design clear zone. Decisions are further complicated by a variety of related issues. These include: »
Access management »
Urban median design »
Context-sensitive design »
Utility pole location »
Bike and pedestrian access
and safety »
Transit service »
Trees, landscaping, and other
aesthetic improvements »
Capacity demand »
Traffic calming »
Process issues including the
route development plan approval process and project development schedules WSDOTs Design Policy, Standards, and Research Unit is charged with leadership responsibilities for coordinating and conducting safety-related research and analysis to support the evaluation, development, implementation, and communication of design standards, policies and performance measures. In June 2001, following an evaluation of existing efforts, the unit initiated a new project, Safety and Aesthetics in Urban Roadway Design, in response to the compelling need for consideration of the broader array of issues related to design standards and research. The project is based on the fundamental principles of context-sensitive design and is considered key to the implementation of context-sensitive design in Washington State. |
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Have any creative urban solutions or new ideas you'd like to share? Let us know.
Updated: January 14, 2005
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