Spring 2023
Description
Over the last decade attitudes towards the design of streets in the US have undergone a dramatic shift. Places all over the country have radically revised their approach, focusing less on vehicle movement and more on the economic and social functioning of their streets. In this class we will look at the theory underlying these state-of-the-art practices and develop a holistic approach for design streets that are safer, more efficient and that support community vibrancy and vitality. In addition to looking at the design of individual streets we will also focus on the art and science of designing street networks. Another goal of this class is to help resurrect this American tradition of excellent in street network design and to pair it with the tools and knowledge needed to design beautiful and safe streets.
If you have any concerns, questions, recommendations, or comments, don’t hesitate to contact:
Instructor: Ge Shi ge.shi@uconn.edu
Time & Location:
Mon. Wed. 5:45pm‑7:00pm; ROWE 122
Office Hours:
Wednesday 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM or by appointment at BRON 201
Lecture Schedule:
(tentative syllabus in pdf file is available in HuskyCT.)
| Week | Date | Topics | Lecture Slides | Textbooks and Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 18 | Introductions | Lecture 1 | Garrick: What Does This Street In Zürich Mean? Garrick: Transportation and the Art of Placemaking in America (scanned file available in HuskyCT) |
| 2 | Jan 23 | Evolution of Street Design in America | Lecture 2.1 | Highway History Timeline |
| 2 | Jan 25 | Character of a Street | Lecture 2.2 | Life on a Dutch Woonerf (“Living Street”) |
| 3 | Jan 30 | Context versus System Time in Design | Lecture 3.1 | Interview with Claes Tingvall on Traffic Safety |
| 3 | Feb 01 | Target Speed and Design Speed | TBA | A case study using “traditional four steps” |
| 4 | Feb 06 | Classifications of Streets and Highways | TBA | Interstate Highway History Photo Gallery; How Highway Changed Urban Form |
| 4 | Feb 08 | Basics of Street Networks | TBA | Self-driving cars in traffic flow |
| 5 | Feb 13 | Design of Street Networks | TBA | Why people are struck in the highway platoon? |
| 5 | Feb 15 | Data for Transportation Design | TBA | Eric, Jeffrey, and Wesley: Bias in LOS |
| 6 | Feb 20 | Design Controls in Transport Design | TBA | AASHTO: Green Book |
| 6 | Feb 22 | Design Controls in Transport Design cont. | TBA | AASHTO: Green Book |
| 7 | Feb 27 | Performance Measures | Lecture 19-22 | References: lecture and tutorial Notes |
| 7 | Mar 01 | Midterm | ||
| 8 | Mar 06 | Guest Lecture: TBD | Lecture 19-22 | References: lecture and tutorial Notes |
| 8 | Mar 08 | Design Project Studio: road safety, ctcrash.uconn.edu | TBA | References: lecture and tutorial Notes |
| No class. Spring Recess | ||||
| 9 | Mar 20 | Elements of Urban Street Design | TBA | Boston Complete Streets Guidelines Shaheen, Totte, and Stocker: Future of Mobility White Paper |
| 9 | Mar 22 | Fundamentals to Intersection Design | TBA | Boston Complete Streets Guidelines Shaheen, Totte, and Stocker: Future of Mobility White Paper |
| 10 | Mar 27 | Fundamentals to Intersection Design cont. Signals | TBA | Boston Complete Streets Guidelines Shaheen, Totte, and Stocker: Future of Mobility White Paper |
| 10 | Mar 29 | Geometric Design: Vertical Alignment | TBA | Boston Complete Streets Guidelines Shaheen, Totte, and Stocker: Future of Mobility White Paper |
| 11 | Apr 03 | Horizontal Alignment Coordination | TBA | Boston Complete Streets Guidelines Shaheen, Totte, and Stocker: Future of Mobility White Paper |
| 11 | Apr 05 | Bike Facilities and Bike Network Design | TBA | Boston Complete Streets Guidelines Shaheen, Totte, and Stocker: Future of Mobility White Paper |
| 12 | Apr 10 | Roundabouts | TBA | Boston Complete Streets Guidelines Shaheen, Totte, and Stocker: Future of Mobility White Paper |
| 12 | Apr 12 | Design Project Studio: GIS with Quinn Molly | TBA | Boston Complete Streets Guidelines Shaheen, Totte, and Stocker: Future of Mobility White Paper |
| 13 | Apr 17 | Design Project Studio: Simulation with Fred Song | TBA | Boston Complete Streets Guidelines Shaheen, Totte, and Stocker: Future of Mobility White Paper |
| 13 | Apr 19 | Design Project Studio: Simulation with Fred Song | TBA | Boston Complete Streets Guidelines Shaheen, Totte, and Stocker: Future of Mobility White Paper |
| 14 | Apr 24 | Term Project Presentations | Boston Complete Streets Guidelines Shaheen, Totte, and Stocker: Future of Mobility White Paper |
|
| 14 | Apr 26 | Term Project Presentations | Boston Complete Streets Guidelines Shaheen, Totte, and Stocker: Future of Mobility White Paper |
|
| TBD | FINAL EXAM |
Other Resources for Learning:
- Student Technology Training course: https://huskyct.uconn.edu/ultra/courses/_80016_1/cl/outline
- Tech Help: https://techsupport.uconn.edu/
- UConn Writing Center: https://writingcenter.uconn.edu/
- UConn library: https://lib.uconn.edu/
- CSD: https://csd.uconn.edu/
- Student Health and Wellness – Mental Health: https://counseling.uconn.edu/
