White Papers - Alta Planning + Design

Resources

Bicycle Detection: A review of available technologies and practical experience to aid in the creation of smarter intersections that work for all users

Across the United States, approximately two-thirds of reported bicycle crashes happen at intersections. Detecting the presence of people bicycling at or approaching signalized intersections and roadway crossings can offer traffic engineers additional tools and flexibility to improve the comfort and safety for this vulnerable user group. This white paper provides a deeper discussion on the various technologies that are available and provides insight on their strengths, weaknesses and practical applications.

White Papers

Next-Generation Trails: New Mobility Trends in Shared-Use Trail Design and Management

Historically, shared-use paths were exclusive spaces for human-powered activity, but new technologies are transforming them into places that may include power-driven personal and shared mobility vehicles. These changes are creating new challenges for trail managers and require an understanding of design, operation, and management of new mobility modes. This white paper provides a framework for the […]

White Papers

Quick-Build Guide + Webinar

How to Build Safer Streets Quickly and Affordably

Guidelines and References, Webinars, White Papers

Corner Design for All Users

Historically, intersections have been designed to facilitate easy turning by infrequent design vehicles. This approach has resulted in countless intersections that are much larger than they need to be; intersections where pedestrians and bicyclists confront long crossings that leave them exposed to turning vehicle traffic moving quickly along large corner radii. Balancing access for more infrequent larger vehicles with […]

Webinars, White Papers

White Paper: Promoting Active Transportation Safety in Preparation for Autonomous Vehicles

Helping communities take near-term action to preserve and improve the experience of active transportation as AV technology develops and is deployed.

White Papers

Advisory Bike Lanes in North America

White Paper: Advisory Bike Lanes in North America Despite being used successfully for decades in Europe, Advisory Bike Lanes (also known as advisory shoulders), are an emerging facility type in North America and can be an effective tool for communities to provide bicycle lanes on streets that are otherwise too narrow to accommodate them. Alta’s […]

White Papers

Alta White Paper: Innovation in Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts, March 2016

This paper outlines the challenges that communities face with conventional pen and paper count programs. It then identifies many new technologies that can automate, simplify, and expedite the collection of bike and ped data.

White Papers

Lessons Learned: Evolution of the Protected Intersection

The evolution of North American bikeway design has progressed to protected intersections. During our work on the development of the NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, Alta staff saw merit in the Dutch junction style design and have spent subsequent effort studying it and attempting to create a framework for adapting it to the North American roadway […]

White Papers

Safe Routes to School Best Practices White Paper

This white paper by Alta Planning + Design documents education best practices in Safe Routes to School programs.

White Papers

FHWA Rails-with-Trails: Lessons Learned

This report offers conclusions about the lessons learned in the development, construction, and operation of “rails-with-trails” so that railroad companies, trail developers, and others can benefit from the history of trails in existence today.

White Papers

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