Agenda Packets - 1995/05/01 - Laserfiche WebLink

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iS: I s F-\\ S1-:II ST. PAUL Wi01i3:u0.1 Mr. Mike Ulrich March 4, 1994 Page 2 continual parking on both sides of the streets occurs regularly, two traffic lanes should be provided. An option would be to prohibit parking on one side of the street. Where on-street parking occurs only occasionally,the likelihood of vehicles being parked on hal sides of the street is less, and opposing vehicles can wait and take turns passing the few parked vehicles_ The inconvenience and additional maneuvers such as backing up or pulling in driveways will be lessened considerably. Because it is essential to have one unrestricted lane of traffic for emergency vehicles and others, the 32 feet of width is still very desirable. With parking on one side of a 32-foot street, traffic still have 22 to 24 feet of pavement beyond the parked vehicle. Thus, a single-parked vehicle or series of vehicles parked on a single side will still allow adequate room for two lanes of traffic to pass. There are a considerable number of other factors affecting street width. We have had opportunities to observe these many factors and how they are impacted by street widths. We have observed traffic on streets as narrow.as 20 to 24 feet with curb and gutter, and on wide streets in residential neighborhoods ranging from 44 to even 52 feet. The many factors which affect width,coupled with our numerous observations and experience,has led us to recommend 32 feet as a general standard for residential areas for the following reasons: • Permits on both parking on both sides of the street. • Permits one lane of traffic at all tames. • Provides a small extra width for winter snow accumulation, etc. • Punctions well for all types of vehicles which may use the street, including emergency, maintenance, delivery, and school busses. • Provides room for bicycle traffic in what is normally the parking lane. • Provides room for pedestrians in what is normally the parking lane_ • Allows turning in and out of driveways with less interference from parked vehicles across the street or adjacent to the driveway. • Permits turning in and out of driveways by larger vehicles, such as delivery vehicles, boat trailers, etc. • Parking lane can also accommodate delivery vehicles such as mail or paper deliveries_ • Parking lane can accommodate disabled vehicles or maintenance vehicles.