TLC Technical Assistance Projects

Streetscape Design / Corridor Planning

Best Practices in Providing Bicycle Facilities in Streetcar Corridors: Arlington County ,VA (2011) Arlington Bicycle Facility Recommendations

Arlington County applied for a TLC technical assistance grant to develop best practices for the design and operation of corridors that include both trains and bicyclists. The county sought recommendations that would be most appropriate for the Columbia Pike and Crystal City/Potomac Yard corridors. The study included a survey and review of domestic and international jurisdictions that have a combination of streetcar and extensive bicycle facilities, a comprehensive review of critical safety factors, as well as key design considerations. This project was completed for $30,000.

Please follow the link below to review the final document developed for this project.

Best Practices in Providing Bicycle Facilities in Streetcar Corridors (7.6 MB)

Central Avenue TOD Corridor Pedestrian and Mobility Study: Prince George's County, MD (2011) Central Avenue Recommendations

Prince George's County applied for TLC technical assistance as part of the Subregion 4 Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Implementation Project, which has been developed to implement the 2010 Approved Subregion 4 Master Plan and Sectional Map Amendment (Subregion 4 Master Plan). The Subregion 4 TOD Implementation Project encompasses two overlapping areas along Central Avenue in Prince George’s County and envisions a fully integrated multimodal transportation system with TOD centered on the Capitol Heights and Addison-Seat Pleasant Road Metrorail stations. The project focused on a pedestrian safety and mobility study of the Central Avenue Corridor to recommend how to spend limited resources to improve pedestrian safety and retrofit existing roads to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. The study identified implementation funding that will enhance pedestrian safety and mobility patterns in the context of the Addison Road Regulating Plan, and its future Metro Center. The pedestrian element of the study presented the pedestrian environment as a community system of interwoven pathways, sidewalks, and open spaces with an emphasis on improving mobility and safety. This project was completed for $30,000.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Central Avenue TOD Mobility Study: Pedestrian and Bicycle Access and Circulation (5 MB)

Complete Streets Policy: City of Rockville, MD (2009)

Complete Streets Comparison

The Complete Streets policy of the City of Rockville was developed to provide guidance for its residents, decision makers, planners, and designers to ensure that multi-modal elements are incorporated into all transportation improvement projects. The graphic to the right shows current conditions above proposed enhancements that meet Complete Streets standards.

The concept of Complete Streets provide streets that have facilities for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and motorists, to the extent appropriate for the land use or the context of the street. Under the Complete Streets framework, minimizing traffic delay for private motor vehicle transportation should not be the only goal of the roadway and could be undesirable depending on the surrounding land use and needs of other roadway users. Other characteristics of Complete Streets are features that create a pedestrian friendly environment, such as narrow traffic lanes, median refuges, curb extensions (“bulb-outs”), accessible pedestrian signals and countdown pedestrian signals.

Like many suburbs, some areas in Rockville were designed for automobile transportation, and lack facilities such as sidewalks, bus shelters, and bicycle lanes. With implementation of Rockville’s Pedestrian Policies, Bikeway Master Plan and the Sidewalk Prioritization Policy, key improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists have been made. As gas prices fluctuate and demand for walking, bicycling and transit facilities grows, safe and accessible transportation accommodations for all modes becomes even more necessary. Additional modal choices for roadways users can also help in improving the air quality and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions by reducing vehicle trips and miles travelled. Complete streets have also shown results in improved health in communities that provide multiple mode choices. In addition, Rockville is committed to serving its residents – children, elderly, and persons with disabilities – by providing safe and accessible transportation facilities in the public right-of-way. This project was completed for $30,000.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Proposed Complete Streets Policy (2.8 MB)

Gateway Transportation Enhancement Project: District of Columbia (2009)

NoMa Alternative AThe NoMa Business Improvement District (BID) applied for technical assistance to complement the District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) plans for the reconstruction of the New York and Florida Avenue, NE, intersection as a virtual traffic circle by making suggestions for public realm improvements. This project was completed for $50,000.

Please follow the links below to review the final documents developed for this project.

NoMa Gateway Transportation Study - Analysis and Recommendations (7 MB)

NoMa Gateway Transportation Study - Visualizations and Design Guidelines (6 MB)

NoMa Gateway Transportation Study - Appendices (10 MB)

Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) Design Standards: District of Columbia (2010)

GTBID Streetscape

This project evaluated and refined draft streetscape guidelines developed by the BID. The consultant recommended several Implementation strategies. The enhanced design standards will serve to create a cohesive feel for the neighborhood. Low Impact Development (LID) techniques were an integral part of this project. This includes guidelines for the location and type of sidewalk amenities, furniture, paving materials, planters and trees, and other landscaping.

The project is supported by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the final produt will be incorporated into DDOT's internal streetscape review guidelines and be used for the review of projects within the BID boundaries. The guidelines are to be used for renovations and repairs within the public realm that are undertaken by the City or property owners. This project was completed for $30,000.

Please follow the links below to review the final document developed for this project.

Streetscape Guidelines - Golden Triangle Business Improvement District

Recommendations for "Complete Streets" in the Prince George's Plaza Transit District: Prince George's County, MD (2008)

The Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) Planning Office in Prince George’s County applied to the TLC Program for technical assistance to develop a plan to improve pedestrian and bicycle conditions in the Prince George’s Plaza Transit District. The project brought multiple stakeholders together to review recommendations that would best implement the concept of “complete urban streets” in a multimodal manner.

Prince George's Plaza

The consultant identified the accommodations needed for bicyclists and pedestrians, proposed new facilities for bicycles and pedestrians, identified gaps in the existing pedestrian and bicycle network, and outlined potential retrofit opportunities to address these needs. The consultant proposed upgrades to an area built for the automobile but which is seeing a renaissance of bicycle and pedestrian use with the construction of new dense, mixed use development.

The report outlines a list of upgrades with cost and ease of implementation. The consultant cited examples of different traffic calming tools used around the nation and identified locations in the Transit District where they could be easily implemented. The consultant recommended improving pedestrian safety at the intersection of East-West Highway and Belcrest Road by reducing turning radii for cars and installing expanded pedestrian islands. To improve access from the Prince George’s Plaza Metro station and pedestrian bridge, the consultant also proposed reconfiguring the parking spaces in the Mall parking lot to create a diagonal sidewalk linking pedestrians to University Town Center and the offices at the Prince George’s Metro Center. This project was completed for $20,000.

Please follow the links below to review the final report, accompanying graphics and presentation materials.

Prince George's Plaza Metro Area Study

Prince George's Plaza Metro Area Study, Figure 3

Prince George's Plaza Positive Attributes (2 MB)

Prince George's Plaza Problem Areas (4.1 MB)

Prince George's Plaza Consultant Presentations (1.6 MB)

Scoping Assistance: Impacts of BRAC on the Potomac Communities: Prince William County, VA (2007)

Prince William County, Scoping assistance to address BRAC ImpactsPrince William County applied for scoping assistance for a federally-funded planning study to evaluate and address land use and transportation impacts of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decision in the county’s Potomac Communities area, which is located between the Marine Corps Base at Quantico and Fort Belvoir. Both installations will experience a significant increase in staff as a result of BRAC. Assistance from the TLC Program was used to examine issues such as which commuter corridors should be studied, where land use changes might be most effective, and how additional transportation alternatives should be incorporated into the Potomac Communities. Ideally, the federally-funded study will provide recommendations for the update of the Potomac Communities Revitalization Plan and changes in land use and transportation in this area to accommodate increased traffic from BRAC implementation.

The scope of work developed for Prince William County will assist the County in applying for federal funding and soliciting proposals from consultants to conduct an inclusive, thorough study of potential transportation and land-use impacts from the BRAC decision. The main issues highlighted in the scope of work demonstrate the need to balance future growth with transportation improvements that build upon existing infrastructure and services. Several other jurisdictions applied for technical assistance under the TLC program to mitigate potential land use and transportation impacts from BRAC. The collaborative efforts of the consultants and Prince William County staff provide a comprehensive outline of issues jurisdictions should include in applications for federal assistance to study the sudden increase in commuters their communities may experience as a result of the BRAC decision. This project was completed for $20,000.

Please follow the link below to review the scope of work developed for this project. Note: This document does not constitute an official Request For Proposals by Prince William County. It is a scoping document that may serve as the basis for a potential future Request For Proposals.

Scope of Work: Impacts of BRAC on the Potomac Communities

South Washington Street Corridor Planning: City of Falls Church, VA

South Washington StreetThe City of Falls Church applied for technical assistance to study potential improvements that will facilitate the transformation of South Washington Street into a walkable, mixed-use corridor. The study reviewed ways to improve the pedestrian experience along Washington Street as a major component of increasing livability and encouraging desired land-use changes.

The consultant created a report listing the impediments to pedestrian mobility in the corridor and recommended a series of potential improvements to Washington Street. Based on the city’s Long Term Vision, the report outlines short- and long-term objectives which can be achieved as steps to fulfilling the Vision. These recommendations include potential new traffic signal locations, intersection realignments, and other forms of traffic calming.

The consultant highlighted one problem spot along the corridor at the intersection of Washington Street and Maple Street. The intersection’s oblique angle exposes pedestrians and encourages drivers to travel through the intersection without slowing. The proposed fix involves creating a different orientation for the intersection and closing the eastbound approach.

The report includes cost estimates and a general timeframe for the implementation of the recommendations. The policies and physical changes that are proposed in the report should help further Falls Church’s vision, notably its objective to make the city “built on a human scale.” This project was completed for $20,000.

Please follow the link below to review the final report and short- and long-term recommendations for this project:

City of Falls Church South Washington Street Corridor Study (3 MB)

Long-Term Recommendations

Short Term Recommendations ( One / Two )

Transportation and Land-Use Strategies for the Yorkshire Corridor: Prince William County, VA (2008)

Current conditions on Route 28 in the Yorkshire Community of Prince William County

Prince William County is trying to develop new walkable, mixed-use nodes in several communities throughout the county. To this end, the County has created an overlay zoning category called “Community Center” zoning. At the same time, the County is trying to integrate mass transit into these areas to reduce dependence on the automobile. This plan is not without challenges and Prince William County applied to the TLC program for a grant to develop a toolkit for addressing these issues. This toolkit was developed using the Yorkshire community along Route 28 in the central portion of the County as a case study. The image at right demonstrates current conditions along Route 28 in Yorkshire.

The report devotes considerable effort to the study of existing conditions, including land-use and transportation systems in the Yorkshire area. The report also reviews the context of the area as a part of the larger Washington region and gives a brief history of its development as a typical post-war commercial corridor. The report goes on to note the policy framework and market conditions which Yorkshire is likely to face into the future.

The report lists strategies for revitalizing the Yorkshire area and creates a toolkit for this and other communities in the County. Some of the potential strategies include: redesigning roadways, improving transit access, creating streetscape standards, and redevelopment of spot locations in each corridor to serve as a catalyst for further redevelopment. This project was completed for $20,000.

Please follow the link below to review the final report.

Yorkshire Revitalization Strategy: Creating a Mixed-Use Center of Community

Van Ness / UDC Metro and Commercial Corridor Enhancement Study: District of Columbia (2011) Van Ness / UDC

The District of Columbia Office of Planning applied for TLC funding to identify streetscape improvements along Connecticut Avenue near the Van Ness / UDC Metrorail Station to improve pedestrian flow and recommend ways to incorporated low-impact design techniques along the streetscape. This project developed a set of guidelines, recommendations, and low impact streetscape design options to enhance bicycle and pedestrian connections to the Metro station. The result is a long-term plan that will make Metro and local retail more accessible and attractive to area residents, thus reducing vehicle use related to working, recreation, and shopping, while resulting in a minimal impact to the environment. This project was completed for $30,000.

Please follow the link below to review the final report developed for this project.

Van Ness - UDC Commercial Corridor Enhancement Study (8.2 MB)

 

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