Public Works, consultants outline Complete Streets policy, downtown district plans

Braxton (last name not specified), public works project lead, and Dan Warner, planner, presented an overview of Complete Streets principles and local guidance to the committee. Braxton said the MTPO-adopted design guidelines and the Complete Streets Advisory group created a vision statement: "create balanced, safe, reliable street networks and serve all transportation users and accommodate all ages and abilities." He referenced a 2009 City Council resolution (Resolution 8222) that directs the city, when road construction is financially feasible, to implement design principles that promote safe access for all transportation users.

The presenters summarized the guidelines27 street typologies (nine types based on adjacent land use and street character) and cited local examples: Washburn and Lane (mixed-use boulevard); South Kansas Avenue between 4th and 10th (Main Street type); Woodlawn (historic/brick street); and Wenger Road (industrial street). The presentation included illustrations of sidewalk zones (frontage zone, pedestrian-through zone, amenity zone) and explained accessibility requirements such as a maximum 2% cross slope for pedestrian pathways.

Braxton described bicycle facility selection guidance based on speed and traffic volumes and cited AASHTO principles that a shared-use path should not automatically preclude on-road facilities. He reviewed traffic-calming tools (raised crosswalks, speed humps/cushions, curb extensions, chicanes, traffic circles and neckdowns) and their benefits for lowering speeds, improving visibility and shortening stopping distances. He noted KDOT27s Vulnerable Road User (VRU) emphasis and shared data points on crash severity: a pedestrian/bicyclist struck at 20 mph faces a substantially lower chance of fatal or serious injury than at higher speeds.

Warner summarized how the downtown master plan broke the area into districts with district plans that included Complete Streets recommendations, and he showed the 8th Avenue (Capital District) project as an example where a reconfigured cross-section, KDOT funding and bike facilities produced a multimodal roadway in front of the State Capitol. Warner noted that some downtown projects are on hold until additional traffic data is available after Polk/Quincy work completes.

The presenters told the committee they would prioritize safety, context-sensitive design and data-driven decisions and said implementation will be incremental, coordinated with planned projects, and responsive to changing national best practices. Committee members asked technical and implementation questions; staff said they will continue refining project scopes and return with more data as projects proceed.