Does your community have a traffic safety problem? Perhaps there are too many crashes involving people who walk or bike, or too many drivers speeding or failing to yield at crosswalks? Engineering is an important solution, but it takes a long time to change the built environment. Traffic safety campaigns are a valuable tool to […]
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Throughout the last decade, planners and engineers have been applying the Dutch intersection design principles in the North American context, with the goal of improving safety for all users and improving the accommodation of separated cycling facilities through intersections. The common label for these intersections in North America is “protected intersections”. The City of Ottawa […]
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The Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) Book 18: Cycling Facilities project was led by WSP Canada, in association with Alta, to provide new information and guidance for transportation practitioners across Ontario. This was made possible in collaboration with the Ontario Traffic Council, the Ministry of Transportation, Share The Road, True North Safety Group, Accessibility Simplified and […]
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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.
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Change has always been constant, but the current pace of technological innovation is especially profound. We are experiencing the compounding influence of multiple converging trends — from Uber and Lyft trips, real-time trip planning, and shared micromobility, to Amazon Prime same-day deliveries, grocery and restaurant couriers, driverless taxis, and much more. We want these new […]
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Alta is working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation to develop a Kit of Parts for mobility hubs that will guide mobility hub planning and implementation. The project includes an assessment of typical contexts in the City of Portland, aligning mobility hub types with the land use context, future growth strategy of the region, and […]
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Traditionally, transportation systems have been designed for motorized vehicles to move people, goods and services efficiently. Excluding more active and sustainable modes of travel from these systems in meaningful ways has often influenced Canadians to use motorized vehicles. The design of transportation systems and land use can help achieve public health goals such as increased […]
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