Red Deer | Going Multi-Modal in the “Texas of the North”

[M II A II R II K]

Going Multi-Modal in the “Texas of the North”


May 21, 2012



Read More: http://www.pps.org/going-multi-modal...-of-the-north/

PDF Report: http://www.reddeer.ca/NR/rdonlyres/3...lldocument.pdf

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Red Deer has experienced substantial growth over the past three decades due to the growth of the oil industry, booming from 30,000 residents in 1975 to just over 90,000 in 2012. As might be expected given that time frame, virtually all of the new growth has taken the form of auto-oriented sprawl. Today, the City Council is seeking to change that, and have developed a new civic vision that is outlined in the Strategic Direction 2012 – 2014 report.

- “Our deliberate decision to create viable alternatives to single occupant vehicle travel in our transportation network encourages healthy active lifestyles, environmental stewardship, supports safety for people of all ages, increases use of our public and green spaces, and integrates our sidewalks, trails, bike lanes, transit service, rail, and roads with our built environment.”

- The first discussion began with photos of several streets, some with designated bike and bus lanes and some with none. Participants were asked to discuss whether the streets were complete. Quite a few of the participants argued that the streets without bike lanes were not complete, but as the discussion unfolded, the group came to understand that Complete Streets policies do not require that designated space be provided for each mode, but rather that travel via all modes be safe, comfortable & convenient for everyone, regardless of age or ability.

- This means that bike lanes are not only not required, but sometimes even discouraged. When street dimensions and adjacent land uses slow vehicular speeds to below 20 mph, for instance, it is actually preferred that bicyclists share the street with the cars. Sharing space forces everyone to be more cautious and observant, and creates safer driving conditions for the drivers and bikers, as well as nearby pedestrians.

- Participants at the Red Deer workshop also quickly grasped the fact that allocating space for all modes doesn’t automatically generate pedestrian and bicycle traffic. With little prompting, participants recognized that streets such as the one from Dublin, pictured to the left, would benefit greatly from a Placemaking process that would engage residents in planning for how the street will be used, ensuring that the space would meet local needs and attract more people out to use the street.

- Starting with the dawn of the private car and accelerating after World War II, street planning policies have completely ignored the diverse uses of streets for generations, sacrificing communities to move automotive traffic as efficiently as possible. What is needed now in Red Deer (and around the world) is a return to the practice of creating a wide palette of street types that are sensitive to the community context. This range is known by planners as a “Street Typology,” and while the name may be cumbersome, Street Typologies are nimble tools that lead to streets that better serve their surroundings. Street Typologies seek not to turn over every one of our streets to the bicycle and pedestrian at the expense of moving goods and vehicles, but instead aim for a balanced transportation system.

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Even in Red Deer's downtown area, pedestrians play second fiddle to automotive traffic / Photo: Gary Toth






A Red Deer City engineer explains how his group retuned the demonstration street to foster Placemaking as well as comfort for all modes. Median, landscaping, mid block crossings and even a roundabout were created. / Photo: Gary Toth






Red Deer began to retune their downtown streets even before the start of the Integrated Movement Study, as evidenced by the rightsizing of Gaetz Avenue. Note the deployment of chicanes. / Photo: Gary Toth






Workshop participants quickly pointed out that while this Dublin Street was technically a “Complete Street”, its value to the community was limited due to lack of fostering the Street as a Place. / Photo: Gary Toth

[feepa]

[Andrewjm3D]

Is this a joke?

[ZeDgE]

Not sure if this is a serious thread or some stealth troll..

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Andrewjm3D

Is this a joke?

That looks like one of those "safety city" places where kids go to learn the rules of the road and how to be a pedestrian safely and such. I'm guessing this team was demonstrating some strategies for multi-modal use and street calming on it.

[Calgarian]

I'm sure this thread would be better off in the Alberta & BC section.

[circle33]

I'm not so sure. What happens in Red Deer is of national interest.

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by circle33

I'm not so sure. What happens in Red Deer is of national interest.

ya right.

[Ayreonaut]

Never mind. I'm an idiot.

[Phil McAvity]

Originally Posted by circle33

I'm not so sure. What happens in Red Deer is of national interest.

National? What an understatement. More like International.

[Centropolis]

I just found out about this, what the heck is going on in Red Deer?!?!?!

[casper]

Originally Posted by Centropolis

I just found out about this, what the heck is going on in Red Deer?!?!?!

Obviously from the first photo that shows someone jaywalking training is required. Second photo contains the new training facility, ready to handle trees that may appear in the centre of the road.

More seriously it looks like the smaller cities in Alberta are growing very quickly and grasping with how to built a sustainable community. Nice to see Red Deer trying to ensure as it grows it still remains a livable city. It is a lot better to think about these things when the cities are smaller and build it properly from the begging that going back and retrofitting......