A.
Purpose. The purpose and intent of this section is to provide guidance for creating an accessible, interconnected network of
streets
that accommodate all ages, abilities, and modes of transportation, including walking, cycling, driving, and public transit. Integration of the street
design components described in this section will provide the framework for creating new memorable, enjoyable places, not just conduits for moving a single mode of transportation; while preserving the many existing examples of good streets
in Kingston.B.
C.
General street standards.
(1)
Context classifications.
(a)
To facilitate context-sensitive street design, Context classifications have been established to guide the design of new streets and improvements to existing streets. The context classifications relate to the Transect Zones on the Kingston Regulating Map as described in Table 405.22.C.
(b)
The context and functional classifications for Kingston's existing street network are identified on the Street Type Map. (See Regulating Maps, Article 2.)
Table 405.22.C Context Classifications | ||
|---|---|---|
Context Classification | Applicable Transect Zones | |
Urban center | C5 | T5MS, T5F, T5N, T4MS |
Urban general | C4 | T4MS, T4-O, T4N, T3-O, T3N |
Suburban | C3 | T3-O, T3N, T3L, T2C, T1 |
Rural | C2 | T3-O, T3N, T3L, T2C, T1 |
Natural | C1 | T1 |
(2)
Functional classifications.
(a)
Background.
[1]
Access is a key parameter in the definition of conventional functional classifications. Arterials are intended to provide less motor vehicle driver access to adjacent
building
or land uses. Local streets provide much more motor vehicle driver access to adjacent buildings
/land uses. Collectors connect arterial and local motor vehicle travel and should provide intermediate motor vehicle driver access to adjacent buildings
/land uses. Trip length is the other defining parameter for functional classifications. Arterials should carry longer motor vehicle driver (and passenger) trips. Collectors carry intermediate length driver trips and locals carry the shorter motor vehicle driver trips.[2]
The emphasis on motor vehicle drivers is noted here to show that most reference material for functional classification has assumed these specific users only and thus prioritized their function in the networks. This inadvertently excluded other travelers moving on foot, by bicycle, by transit and by any other mode from the definition of functional classification. This organizing theory was motor vehicle focused. The assumption also held that demand for other modes was negligible. The 21st Century's emerging complete streets, multimodal, pedestrian and bicycle policies require a new definition of functional classification. Given the current emphasis on more diverse mobility than the single purpose of motor vehicle travel, policies for planning and programming transportation facilities should adjust to incorporate a broad range of travelers and their travel modes.
[3]
To achieve this, access by all modes, from each classified street or road to adjacent land use/
buildings
should be considered essential. Access limitations should primarily be considered in rural context areas.(b)
This Code focuses on the following purposes for all functional classifications:
[1]
Local streets provide access to all land uses by travelers moving a short distance.
[2]
Collector streets provide access to all land uses and serve to connect local and arterial streets for travel of a medium distance.
[3]
Compact arterial streets provide access to all land uses by all modes for longer distance travel in all context areas.
[4]
Arterial streets provide access to all land uses, with some limited access control in the C3 Suburban Context Classifications or C2 Rural Context Classifications where safety requires access control at higher speeds.
(3)
Street hierarchy. On each parcel that has multiple street frontages (i.e., corner lots), applicants shall work with the
Planning Administrator
to determine the applicable front build-to zone
or setback
based on the hierarchy of the adjacent streets and pattern established by surrounding development. Front build-to zones
or setbacks
should generally apply to streets closer to the top of the hierarchy, for example along regional streets that connect between neighborhoods and where adjacent land use is most intense; the orientation of surrounding lots shall also be considered. If both intersecting streets have the same classification, the pattern established by existing buildings
within 150 feet of the subject lot
shall establish the front condition.(4)
Sight triangle requirements. Intersection design shall facilitate eye contact between street users, ensuring that motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit vehicle drivers intuitively read intersections as shared spaces. The following sight triangle standards shall apply in addition to any New York State minimum sight distance requirements:
(a)
The visibility of pedestrians and bicyclists can be improved by lowering target speed, prohibiting parking within 25 feet of the intersection corner, improving streetlighting, providing raised crosswalks/intersections, and locating stop bars well in advance of a crosswalk.
(b)
Streetscape objects within a sight triangle that would obstruct a driver's view shall be modified in order to provide a clear sight triangle. At all street intersections, no obstruction to vision (other than buildings, posts, columns or trees) exceeding 30 inches in height above street level shall be erected or maintained within 25 feet distant from a cross street edge line extended through the intersection. Trees may remain within sight triangles if all limbs below five feet in height above the elevation of the adjacent roadway are removed.
(5)
Target speed. To achieve a safe and
walkable
community, managing motor vehicle speed through design is critical. Speed management achieves two primary goals: 1) reduction of crash probability and severity, especially with pedestrians; and 2) increased economic benefits. When traveling at lower speeds, drivers have a wider cone of vision, allowing the driver to better see and react to pedestrians, bicyclists, or parking maneuvers. Slower motor vehicle speeds also allow motorists to see attractions beyond the curb and enable pedestrian traffic to increase as the environment becomes more walkable
. In most circumstances, accessibility for all users and modes should be prioritized over mobility for motorists.(6)
Curb radius. Several walkability benefits can be gained by decreasing the radius of curbs at intersections. These benefits include the following: decreased crossing distances for pedestrians crossing multilane streets, greater visibility of pedestrians by motorists, and traffic calming. The appropriate curb radius for each street type is established by context in the Design Standards Matrix (Table 405.23.A).
(7)
Intersection design/size. While intersection design shall accommodate large design vehicles (such as WB 40, minimum), the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists shall be the highest priority. The following guidelines are intended for arterial, compact arterial, and collector streets:
(8)
Traffic calming. Ideally, proper vehicle speed is achieved through street design with a target speed that prioritizes all users and modes over mobility for motorists. However, there may be streets where the existing design is resulting in undesirably high motor vehicle speeds and street reconstruction is cost prohibitive. In these circumstances, traffic calming measures should be considered by context:
(a)
C2 and C3 context. Dramatic warning devices can be used to attract the attention of drivers and help slow speeds. Examples include large chevron signs, flashing pedestrian crossing lights, textured pavement, and speed radar trailers.
(b)
C4 and C5 context. Slower driving speeds can be achieved with interventions that are more compatible with livable,
walkable
and bikeable urban centers; these include lane narrowing, curb extensions/bump outs, adding on-street parking, or installing street trees, roundabouts, textured pavement (in nonresidential areas), raised crosswalks or traffic tables.(9)
Streetlighting.
(a)
A combination of pedestrian-scaled streetlight fixtures (up to 15 feet in height) and intersection streetlight fixtures (25 feet to 40 feet in height, typical) may be required to ensure a well-lit street. Pedestrian-scaled fixtures should be used on all C4/C5 streets; intersection-scaled lighting may be used in addition to pedestrian-scaled lights.
















