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STREET NARROW G <br /> <br />CHAPTER <br /> <br />New Curb Ltne -~\ <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 /> Volumes. Little or no effect. <br /> <br /> Speed. Minimal changes. Most studies have <br /> shown actual speed changes in the ran~[e 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 />Tr~-fic Safety. M2nimai 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 />sibil/ty 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 rd_ne <br /> <br />PaYe. rnent <br /> <br />///// / ? / ~ /~ 7//Z // / 2// /// / ///~< ?///? <br /> <br />feet wide. Narrowing roadways to less <br />22 feet 'wide and narrowing travel lane widths <br />to less than nine feet may have adverse traff! <br />safety impacts. <br />Community Reaction. Mixed. Most residerI <br />feel safer due to the narrower street. Loss <br />pavement width has ~esulted in on-streI <br />parking being prohibited and the loss of <br />street parking has caused some hardship and <br />inconvenience for residents. · <br /> <br /> Cos~ <br />Costs can vary considerably. PhysicaLly naul <br /> <br /> rowing the street may be very expensive <br />($50.00 <br /> lineal foot) if concrete curb <br /> per <br />gutter must be replaced and extensive <br />landscaping is involved. Narrowing <br />street by the use of pavement markings <br />relatively inexpensive ($0.20 per Iineal foot) <br /> <br /> Addi~iorzaI Considerations <br />Typicaliy, physical narrowing-of the street <br />accompanied by street beautificatio~ <br />programs which provide landscaping, wider <br />sidewalks, or other amen/ties along the stree~ <br />These amenities are generally perceived as <br />having a positive effect on the neighborhoocI <br /> <br />..Neighborhood Traffic Consol <br /> <br />January t994 <br /> <br /> <br />