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STREET NARROW 'G <br /> <br />CHAPTER <br /> <br />71 <br /> i <br /> <br /> P~vement M~rklnss .~ <br /> "k//~/~//?)'/~'///////// <br /> <br /> Street narrowing involves the reduction of the <br /> typical pavement width along a roadway. The <br /> narrowing can be achieved physically by <br /> removing part of the pavement surface or <br /> psychologically by using pavement markings <br /> that indicate narrow travel lanes. <br /> <br /> Effects <br /> <br /> Volumes. Little or no effect. <br /> <br /> Speed. Mirdmal changes. Most studies have <br /> shown actual speed changes in the range of <br /> one to two mph, both positive and negative. <br /> <br /> Traffic Noise, Air Quality and Energy Con- <br /> sumption. Little or no effect. <br /> <br />Trkffic Safety. Minimal effect on overall acci- <br />dent experience. There is the possibility of <br />improved pedestrian safety due to shorter <br />street crossing times, but there is also the pos- <br />sibility of reduced pedestrian safety if there <br />are many parked cars which obscure the <br />vision of drivers. Bicycle safety may be com- <br />promised by physically removing part of the <br />pavement surface. <br /> <br />It should be noted that the studies did not <br />involve any pavement widths narrower than <br />22 feet nor any travel lanes narrower than nine <br /> <br /> feet wide. Narrowing roadways to less than <br /> 22 feet wide and narrowing travel lane widths <br /> to less than nine feet may have adverse traffic <br /> safety impacts. <br /> <br /> Community Reaction. Mixed. Most residents <br /> feel safer due to the narrower street. Loss of <br /> pavement width has resulted in on-street <br /> parking being prohibited and the loss of on- <br /> street parking has caused some hardship and <br /> inconvenience for residents. <br /> <br /> Cost <br /> <br />Costs can vary considerably. Physically nar- <br />rowing the street may be very expensive <br />($50.00 per lineal foot) ff concrete curb and <br />gutter must be replaced and extensive <br />landscaping is involved. Narrowing the <br />street by the use of pavement markings is <br />relatively inexpensive ($0.20 per lineal foot). <br /> <br /> Additional Considerations <br /> <br />Typically, physical narrowing of the street is <br />accompanied by street beautification <br />programs which provide landscaping, wider <br />sidewalks, or other amenities along the street. <br />These amenities are generally perceived as <br />having a positive effect on the neighborhood. <br /> <br />qq,Neighborhood Traffic Control <br /> <br />January 1994 <br /> <br />7-1 <br /> <br /> <br />