Transforming Commuter Corridors and Crossroads Into Sustainable Places

Transforming Corridors and Crossroads
Transforming Commuter Corridors and Crossroads

into Sustainable Places

We are in the midst of a paradigm shift.
1940s
2011
1990s
Car dependent development

and transportation networks
2030s ??
Sustainable Transportation
and Land Use Patterns

Corridor transformation planning is a significant and
recent departure from conventional practices.
NOT THIS: Corridor Improvement Study or
(Corridor Management Plan)
The purpose of this study is to improve

safety, reduce traffic congestion, and
improve traffic flow along Route X.
Vs.
THIS: Corridor Plan
The purpose of this plan is to provide a

unified framework and vision for land use
and multi-modal transportation planning
along Route X.

Many challenges to overcome
Decades of
transportation and land
use policies that have
prioritized the
automobile.
Perceptions and
expectations of the
driving public.

The DC-Baltimore Region has the highest concentration of
corridor transformation efforts anywhere in the U.S.

Common elements of corridor transformation projects
Genuine multi-modalism

Land use and urban design
Create walkable nodes Not entire corridor has to be
walkable.

walkable.
Buildings built to edge of
sidewalk
Mix of uses vertical and
horizontal
Streetscape street trees, ped
lighting, sidewalks, furniture,
landscaping and green
infrastructure, on-street
parking or other buffers
Building height to width
sense of enclosure, outdoor
room

walkable.
Buildings built to edge of
sidewalk
Mix of uses vertical and
horizontal
Streetscape street trees, ped
lighting, sidewalks, furniture,
landscaping and green
infrastructure, on-street
parking or other buffers
Building height to width
sense of enclosure, outdoor
room
Off street parking in rear
Civic plazas and parks

Street design + transportation
network
Interconnected street network
Slower speeds - narrower lanes,
introduce vertical elements,
crosswalks, bulbouts, etc.
Maintain or reduce number of
lanes
Multi-way boulevards are often
a good solution
Creating high quality
alternatives to driving are a
must.

Implementation tools
Financial
TIFs, Special taxing districts
Tax credits, other incentives
T/E funding
Public-private partnerships
Infrastructure
ROW dedication upon redevelopment
Policy
Comprehensive plans + master plans
Zoning/Form-based codes
Greentaping, density bonuses
Multi-modal LOS
Design guidelines
Public education + civic engagement
Everything else
depends on this

New Hampshire Avenue Corridor Concept Plan - Charrette Process
Broad public
buy-in and
support is
essential.

Visualizations

Marketing and branding the
corridor

The adopted plan has aided in securing short term, incremental
corridor improvements through grants
Image Credits: City of Takoma Park

The adopted plan has

aided in securing
short term,
incremental corridor
improvements
through grants
Image Credit : City of Takoma Park
Clarksburg Historic District Transforming

Rockville Pike Streetscape
Survey
CorridorsPreference
and Crossroads
3.5
17

Survey
CorridorsPreference
and Crossroads
4.7
18

Survey
CorridorsPreference
and Crossroads
7.2
19

Preserve Ashton Rte 650 & Rte 108
Community was initially divided about fostering walkability and
sense of place versus ease of driving.
20

A commercial
development
proposal and
roadway widening
became a contentious
issue.
Image Credit: Ashton Meeting Place
21
Preserve Ashton Rte 650 &Transforming

Rte 108
Corridors and Crossroads
Town hall meetings, public education, and

visualization tools were used to work through
disparate views of multiple stakeholders.
22

The plan was ultimately revised to

reflect the communitys vision.
Image Credit: Ashton Meeting Place
23

Final words: Strategies
Place greater emphasis on public education and civic

engagement.
Plan for a regional network of corridors that connect walkable
nodes together.
Focus first on corridors that already have walkable urbanism and
interconnected street networks adjacent to them.
Recognize that corridor transformations align with state and
regional carbon footprint and VMT reduction goals.
Use MMLOS to evaluate corridors.

Transforming Commuter Corridors and Crossroads
into Sustainable Places
Stuart Sirota, AICP

[email protected]
410.377.2815

Transforming Commuter Corridors and Crossroads Into Sustainable Places

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Transforming Corridors and Crossroads