PAWTUCKET DOWNTOWN DESIGN PLAN FINAL ... - VHB.com

DESIGN Traffic & Street Improvements
STREET IMPROVEMENTS PRINCIPLES
The Turnpike System has a set of physical components that help define the
route, allow for multiple kinds of transportation to work together, and develop
material goals that work as wayfinding. Also, as a system, the components
support one another in a cohesive way, but must also adapt to its specific
location and conditions. Each layer of markings help to define the edges of
one type of movement from the other. The sidewalks function like a continuous
ribbon that connects pedestrians clearly to crosswalks. The spaces between
the sidewalk and the street edge is a buffer area is where lighting, trees,
newspaper racks, utilities and signage are located. The bicycle system is either
located on the sidewalk as a cycle track to avoid putting cyclists between
parked and moving cars, or are on the street where there is no parking. The
components also use a color coded system on signage, lighting and curb
edges where appropriate, to define a wayfinding system.
To follow a turnpike is easy-- just look for a colorful turnpike sign, point yourself
towards downtown and you will end up on Main Street on a route that people
have used for nearly two hundred years. The Turnpikes give residents and
visitors something that, from day to day, is both useful and full of historic
meaning. The follow design principles govern the development of the turnpike
systems, see also Sidewalk Ribbon concept, page 100:
Crosswalk
Intersection distances are minimized to decrease pedestrian and car conflict
areas.
Wayfinding
A color wayfinding system, including paving and signage, is added to make it
easy to locate yourself and find Main Street.
Signage
Signs have two options: a full street sign in the color of the turnpike with each
turnpike having a distinctive color and a “top hat” version that could be added
to existing street signs if they have already been replaced.
Lighting
New energy efficient pedestrian-oriented lighting would be added to the
turnpike routes that would consist of Dark Sky approved lamp-types and
fixtures. Fixtures would reflect a historic character appropriate to the height of
the commercial era of downtown Pawtucket.
Trees
Low maintenance plantings and permeable paving are added wherever
possible in the space between the sidewalk and the roadway.
One Way Traffic Conversion
One way street segments are reconfigured into two ways streets.
On Street Parking Enhancement
Any changes to the streets must be on street parking neutral and, wherever
possible, positive. On street parking is encouraged.
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PDDP DESIGN