B . Narrow Streets and Travel Lanes
Wide travel lanes often encourage a higher speed of travel , which is unsafe for all users , especially bicyclists and pedestrians . Narrowed streets are either physically narrower or create a perception that they are narrower as a method of calming traffic . Reduced street widths in residential , suburban , and commercial areas are more commonly allowed by local jurisdictions . Narrow streets not only provide the benefits of traffic calming , but also help to create a more attractive and pedestrian friendly character along the street . When the driver ’ s vision is narrowed , the automatic response is to slow down . An effective method to reduce traffic speed is reducing travel lane width and adding on-street parking when roadway width allows . This alternative would allow drivers to adjust to the available lane width and street conditions , while reducing construction and maintenance costs ( Figure 7.9.5 ).
Design Criteria :
• Where appropriate , reduce travel lanes to a minimum of 10 feet to reduce speeds .
• Provide street trees in planting strip along streets to create the perception of narrow lanes .
• Traffic study should be conducted prior to narrowing lane width to ensure safety and traffic management can be addressed .
• Refer to the City of Arlington Thoroughfare Development Plan for the required dimensions of roadways .
• Select and provide appropriate shade trees to survive harsh roadway and environmental conditions .
• Select street trees that can be limbed up to avoid pedestrians and motorist impacts .
• Locate and plant trees back from travel lane to avoid impacting motorists .
• Evaluate drainage and utility cost prior to narrowing of the road or the relocation of curb and gutter .
Figure 7.9.5 . Examples of narrow streets and travel lanes .
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