Hello Elliot,
Following up on the last question, the reference guide refers to pedestrian and bicycle connection for culs-de-sac. From your response I assume it applies to all through connections. Am I correct?
As an extension to the previous question, could alleys and plaza count as through connections as they are right-of-ways but not part of the circulation network?
Finally, if plaza can be included and the plaza is very wide at the point of intersection do we have to use the centerline or can we use the end point for the calculation?
Thank you
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Eliot Allen
LEED AP-ND, PrincipalCriterion Planners
LEEDuser Expert
303 thumbs up
October 27, 2016 - 12:27 pm
Hi Martine. If I understand your first question correctly about through-connections generally, not just for cul-de-sacs, the connections are to the "circulation network," which is defined as carrying any single mode or combination of modes, so any through-connection on the project boundary could be ped-only or bike only.
Your second question about whether alleys or plazas in dedicated rights-of-way can be parts of the circulation network hinges on whether they meet the circulation network definition of "travel ways permanently accessible to the public." If they meet that test, then they're part of the circulation network.
Regarding your third question about where to count an intersection, the point where centerlines intersect has been the standard practice. In the case of a plaza where the local government-sanctioned travel way may not follow a dedicated centerline, it may be necessary to assume a travel way centerline based on the established traffic pattern.
Eliot
Martine Desbois
3 thumbs up
October 27, 2016 - 12:40 pm
Thank you Elliot,
Maybe you can clarify then the last sentence on page 37 of the Reference Guide. Our plaza is located on the edge of the project, provides pedestrian access to the project and does allowed for emergency vehicles only. Is it considered or not as part of the circulation network? Thanks
Eliot Allen
LEED AP-ND, PrincipalCriterion Planners
LEEDuser Expert
303 thumbs up
October 27, 2016 - 1:06 pm
Martine, I was just about to qualify my earlier response with the page 37 caveat. I think they key phrase on page 37 is "may occasionally" allow vehicular passage versus the very common urban plaza that functions as a permanent part of a city's circulation system. The page 37 exclusion is aimed at plazas "serving primarily as a public meeting space," and I believe local government documentation of a permanent travel way carrying any mode through a plaza would qualify that travel way to be part of the circulation network. Nonetheless, you've identified an ambiguity that deserves a bit more investigation so I'm going to check with staff.
Eliot
Eliot Allen
LEED AP-ND, PrincipalCriterion Planners
LEEDuser Expert
303 thumbs up
November 4, 2016 - 1:48 pm
Martine, I've discussed this with USGBC staff, who can't recall why the plaza exclusion was inserted in the page 37 paragraph, and agree that the vast majority of plazas function as part of local circulation systems. Staff are going to initiate the formal addenda process to correct this, and in the meantime you can treat a plaza providing permanent public access for any travel mode as part of the circulation network.
Eliot