Committee discusses curb radii and curb ramp standards; staff urges engineering-led approach

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee discussed curb ramp consistency and curb radius standards during a subcommittee report on March 13, 2025.

Committee members said past projects had inconsistent curb radii and ramps — for example, corners where a ramp was provided in one direction but not the other — and that smaller curb radii can slow vehicle turning speeds. The intersection subcommittee sought guidance on whether the full committee should make a formal recommendation about a standard curb radius (one attendee said a 12-foot radius had been discussed in subcommittee notes).

City engineer Brandon Steggen and staff explained technical trade-offs: a smaller curb radius tends to slow vehicles and is often preferable for pedestrian safety, but larger radii accommodate larger vehicles, plows, and emergency access. Steggen advised against the committee setting a single numeric standard for curb radii because roadway geometry, snowplow needs, emergency access and engineering constraints vary by location; instead, he recommended the committee recommend general design goals (for example, favor smaller radii where safety and context permit) and defer numeric standards to transportation engineers.

The committee also discussed how to pursue state-owned corridor concerns. Jeremy Mayer (city public works representative) explained that the city must interface with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) through staff; the committee should make a formal motion recommending that the council direct staff to ask ITD to review specific intersections (e.g., the Highway 200 / First Avenue corridor near Smokesmith). Mayer said staff can bring such recommendations to council and then engage ITD as the city’s representative.

Committee members agreed to table a specific numeric recommendation until the subcommittee presents more detailed research and preferred language; staff said a motion from the committee to recommend council contact ITD would be an appropriate next step for state highway corridor issues.

No final numeric standard was adopted; the discussion emphasized context-sensitive engineering and a process for forwarding concerns about state-owned roadways to the council for action.