'metro streets' design guidelines

The Metro Streets Design Guidelines highlight the importance of street design in both community and regional development.  Drafted in conjunction with preexisting planning efforts, the guidelines are consistent with the goals of the region’s Metro 2040 Growth Concept and the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).  All three documents seek to promote community livability by encouraging transportation options and supporting a sustainable pattern of land use. Metro Streets Design Guidelines, a joint effort with Fehr & Peers Associates transportation consultants, recognizes that the unique character of regional streets can be an important tool for encouraging balanced growth and an integrated transportation system that supports transit, vehicles and walking.

The guidelines cross traditional boundaries between land use and transportation planning, focusing on multi-modal street function, community livability, and economic growth. By looking at vehicle lane widths, the pedestrian environment, street trees, and bicycle network connectivity, Metro Streets Design Guidelines encourages street designs and development patterns that comfortably and simultaneously accommodate pedestrians, vehicles, transit users, and bicyclists. The relationship between abutting land uses and buildings is also studied, resulting in recommendations that support existing and new centers of community activity.  The guidelines serve as an important tool for local governments to help implement a livable street network supporting independence and freedom of choice, offering safety and comfort, encouraging community while protecting privacy, and enhancing the economic value of adjacent lands.

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