Highways provide needed access to destinations in small cities in addition to allowing through travel to other places. Many small city highways are very wide and traffic speeds excessively high. Extensive paved areas, narrow sidewalks, and little greenery has resulted in a dangerous, unpleasant environment for residents and visitors. Increasing traffic volumes and resulting highway reconstruction often make problems worse. City residents recognize these problems and would like to see design solutions that improve the safety and livability of their communities.

Abstract

Highways provide needed access to destinations in small cities in addition to allowing through travel to other places. Many small city highways are very wide and traffic speeds excessively high. Extensive paved areas, narrow sidewalks, and little greenery has resulted in a dangerous, unpleasant environment for residents and visitors. Increasing traffic volumes and resulting highway reconstruction often make problems worse. City residents recognize these problems and would like to see design solutions that improve the safety and livability of their communities.

These problems are not unique to the US. Scandinavia has similar problems. Traffic in small cities accounts for a relatively small amount of total traffic, but for a large share of accidents and fatalities. This is especially true for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

The Danish Road Directorate, Norwegian Public Roads Administration, and Finnish National Road Administration have constructed "Environmentally Adapted Throughroad" pilot projects to address these problems. They have done research, published reports, and revised their highway design guidelines as a result. Designs focus on 1) moderating traffic speeds and fitting motor traffic into city land-use; 2)increasing the safety of pedestrian and bicycle traffic; 3) supporting the cityscape and livability with highway design; and 4) taking all community impacts into account when planning and reviewing proposed design alternatives. The planning technique of "roadway segmentation" is key in addressing these areas.

Positive results have occurred. Traffic speeds and accidents are down, and small city environments have improved. Residents are satisfied with the changes.

This paper presents the history, concepts, processes, and results of the Scandinavian activities. The information comes from reports and from interviews from an FHWA Study Tour that included myself. The reports include: a) "Danish Road Standards, Part 0, Road Planning in Urban Areas" -1991, b) "Danish Road Standards, Part 7, Speed Reducers" - 1991, c) the Danish "A Catalog of Ideas" -1993, d) Miljoprioriterede gennemfarter, Effekter i 21 yer, Rapport nr. 70, Danish Road Directorate - 1996, e) "Improvement of Small City Through Roads" -Finnish National Road Administration - 1993, f) "Summary from the Norwegian Street Enhancement Program" -1996, and other reports.

The paper includes a bibliography and contacts list.

Further Reading:

Improving Small City Highways