Street Design Manual

For all street projects and improvements affecting the public right-of-way, consider and incorporate Complete Street principles and design standards that provide mobility for all types of transportation modes (pedestrian, bicycle, auto, transit, freight) and support mutually-reinforcing land use and transportation decisions. Work with NCDOT to implement these design standards for state- maintained roads within the City’s jurisdiction. The City of Raleigh is dedicated to improving the lives, health, and well-being of our residents and visitors, regardless of age, income, health, or mode of transport. A network of Complete Streets across the City contributes to both livability and sustainability in that it provides safe and equitable mobility choices, recognizes all users regardless of physical ability or mode of travel, provides amenities and infrastructure for all modes, and complements adjoining architectural, economic, community, and land use patterns. With a Complete Streets Policy, the City recognizes that all streets, public and private, are different and that the needs of various users must be balanced. Such a network will be accessible to users of all ages and ability—including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit users, motorists, freight providers, and municipal and emergency service providers—and ensure that all users experience a functional and visually attractive environment. The City of Raleigh supports that complete streets as an important aspect of the quality of life in the City, and has therefore developed a palette of street typologies that accommodate all users within the context of the UDO. While the street typologies adhere to the principles of Complete Streets, some place more emphasis on moving vehicular traffic than others. Complete street designs should be context-sensitive, consider local needs, and incorporate up-to-date design standards appropriate for the project setting. Each project must be considered both individually and as part of a connected network. Design should consider such elements as natural features, adjacent land uses, input from local stakeholders and merchants, community values, and future development patterns as outlined in the City’s Future Land Use Map, Comprehensive Plan, and adopted studies. When determining the community context and the feasibility of implementing Complete Streets concepts, there should be a balance between the safety of all users, the roadway’s vehicular level-of-service, and the multimodal quality-of-service. City streets are a primary source of current and future stormwater runoff. For more sustainable stormwater management the City of Raleigh also supports the use of context-sensitive GSI within certain street typologies. The City of Raleigh’s Comprehensive Plan includes a number of policies encouraging use of green stormwater infrastructure, including but not limited to Policy EP 2.1 Green Infrastructure, EP 3.1 Water Quality BMPs; EP 3.8 Low Impact Development; PU Sustainable Stormwater Management; and PU 5.4 Discharge Control Methods. The City of Raleigh has determined that numerous street typologies in the UDO offer opportunities for using GSI while providing multiple community benefits. Guidance is provided herein on appropriate standard design details and planting features that can allow effective use of GSI in these right-of-way areas while meeting other Complete Street goals and design needs. Implementation of GSI elements can be approached by evaluating opportunities and constraints within each zone of the right-of-way and considering potential benefits, risks, and technical design factors. While the sections contained herein were developed with City’s and NCDOT’s Complete Streets Policy and the City’s GSI policy; some sections may vary somewhat from the NCDOT standards in order to be consistent with a certain land use or development type context.

Raleigh Street Design Manual – Page 2