Transportation

Richmond, VA Traffic Department Utters Heresy About Traffic Volumes

By Jason Leach
Published December 18, 2012

Here's a fantastic quote from a planning document in Richmond, VA [PDF]:

Traffic volumes are of secondary or tertiary concern when designing a walkable thoroughfare system. The critical volume issue is the number of lanes required to accommodate peak hour traffic flow, usually estimated at 700-900 vehicles per hour (vph) per lane. Depending on local travel patterns (K and D factors), these peak hour volumes generally equate to 7,000-9,000 vehicles per lane per day. Consequently, a two-lane street is considered sufficient to support up to 14,000- 18,000 vehicles per day, again depending on local travel patterns and peaking characteristics.

Yes, their Traffic department published this document. Using the traffic volume in each 'lane per day' of 7,000-9,000, we would be in line to see Cannon, Queen, Wellington, Bay, Victoria all reduced to two lanes.

This would allow for bike lanes and tons of curb parking - which we will need if we're going to ever stop demolishing buildings for parking in this city.

Jason Leach was born and raised in the Hammer and currently lives downtown with his wife and children. You can follow him on twitter.

2 Comments

View Comments: Nested | Flat

Read Comments

[ - ]

By clue (anonymous) | Posted December 18, 2012 at 13:10:17

Can we send Hamilton's traffic engineers to Richmond on a clue-finding mission?

Permalink | Context

By seancb (registered) - website | Posted December 18, 2012 at 15:54:00 in reply to Comment 84099

Dear CLUE,

We at the traffic department appreciate your comments. Please be aware that we take all of your suggestions seriously, especially ones about RICHMONDVIRGINIA

In all of our projects, we must strike a balance between all modes of transportation. It's all more complicated than you could ever understand so just leave it to us.

Sincerely, ROBOT ENGINEER BRIGADE

Permalink | Context

View Comments: Nested | Flat

Post a Comment

You must be logged in to comment.

Events Calendar

There are no upcoming events right now.
Why not post one?

Recent Articles

Article Archives

Blog Archives

Site Tools

Feeds