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Nycdot Street Design Manual Interior Lores
Nycdot Street Design Manual Interior Lores
Design
Manual
2015
Updated Second Edition
www.nyc.gov/dot
Copyright Copyright 2015 New York City Department of Transportation
ISBN-13: 978-0-615-89775-2
ISBN-10: 0615897754
1. REFERENCE/General.
2. TRANSPORTATION/General.
All photos are courtesy of New York City Department of Transportation unless otherwise noted.
The most current version of the Manual is available for download at www.nyc.gov/streetdesignmanual
Print copies may be purchased through New York City CityStore (www.nyc.gov/citystore ).
Updates and addenda to the Street Design Manual will be posted on the Street Design Manual website
at www.nyc.gov/streetdesignmanual
Readers may register on the website to receive updates by email.
2
Table of Contents STREET DESIGN MANUAL
Introduction 11
2.1 Roadways & Lanes 54
2.1.1 Bike Lane & Path 55
Purpose 15 a Bike Lane 56
Background 16 b Bike Path 57
Street Design Policy 18 2.1.2 Bus Lane & Busway 60
a Bus Lane 62
b Busway 63
1 Process 27 2.1.3 Shared Street 64
2.1.4 Plaza 66
1.0 Introduction 30 a Permanent Plaza 67
Table 1a 31 b Interim Plaza 68
Table 1b 33
2.2 Sidewalks & Raised Medians 69
1.1 Operational Projects 34 2.2.1 Sidewalk 70
1.1.1 Origination 34 a Full Sidewalk 72
1.1.2 Planning & Design 35 b Ribbon Sidewalk 73
1.1.3 Implementation 35 2.2.2 Curb Extension 74
a Curb Extension: Community Facilities 76
1.2 Capital Projects 36 b Curb Extension: Bus Bulb 77
1.2.1 Origination 36 c Curb Extension: Mid-Block Narrowing 78
1.2.2 Planning & Design 36 2.2.3 Raised Median 79
1.2.3 Construction 38 2.2.4 Pedestrian Safety Island 81
2.2.5 Median Barrier 82
1.3 Case Studies 39
1.3.1 Hoyt Avenue South at RFK Bridge 40 2.3 Traffic Calming 83
1.3.2 West Houston Street 42 2.3.1 Lane Narrowing & Lane Removal 84
1.3.3 Willoughby Plaza 44 2.3.2 Raised Speed Reducer 85
a Raised Speed Reducer: Speed Cushion 86
2.3.3 Gateway 87
2.3.4 Raised Crosswalk 88
2.3.5 Chicane 89
2.3.6 Neighborhood Traffic Circle 90
2.3.7 Roundabout 91
2.3.8 Raised Intersection 93
4
STREET DESIGN MANUAL Table of Contents
5
Table of Contents STREET DESIGN MANUAL
5 Furniture 167
6.5
6.5.1
Limited-Access Arterial Plantings
Limited-Access Arterial Plantings
222
223
Table 6e 225
5.0 Introduction 170
5.0.1 General Guidelines 171
6.6 Stormwater Management Practices 226
6.6.1 Stormwater Management Practices 228
5.1 Art Display Case 172
a DEP ROW Bioswale 230
5.2 Automatic Public Toilet (APT) 173
b Stormwater Greenstreet 232
5.3 Bike Parking Shelter 174
Table 6f 234
5.4 Bike Share Station 175
5.5 Bus Stop Shelter 176
5.6 CityBench 177
5.7 CityRack 178 Glossary 235
5.8 Mini CityRack 179
5.9
5.10
Multirack
Newsstand
180
181
Appendices 249
6 Landscape 185
Index 258
6.0 Introduction 188
6.0.1 General Guidelines 190
6
Foreword I am pleased to present this updated Second Edition of the New York City
from the
Street Design Manual, which has become an essential reference for agencies,
designers, engineers, and consultants working on our City streets and public
Commissioner spaces. Since its original release in 2009 and its republishing in 2013, the
way we think about and design streets has progressed. DOT is working hard to
make New York more sustainable, through major efforts like the citywide
transition to LED lighting and the expansion of planted areas on medians in our
roadways. Superstorm Sandy reinforced the importance of a resilient
transportation network, and DOT has been working with its partner agencies
to implement best practices. And through both his Vision Zero initiative and
emphasis on equity, Mayor de Blasio has focused on the need to make the
Citys streets safer and more accessible for all New Yorkers, regardless of
neighborhood or ability. This update to the Second Edition reflects many of
these changes in street design.
As the population grows, it has become increasingly evident that the way we
design our streets determines how people interact in our City. When we build
spaces that make people of all ability levels feel comfortable and encourage
people not only to move through, but to stay, we create a more vibrant public
realm, with safety, health and economic benefits for all. Since 2013, DOT has
refined some of the treatments featured in the Second Edition of the Street
Design Manual. For example, the design of the award-winning CityBench was
changed to make it easier to use for older New Yorkers, and public space
designs now take into consideration navigation by people with impaired vision.
The lessons from Superstorm Sandy are clear: our street network will impact
how the City withstands the next major storm surgeand how quickly it
bounces back once it passes. Consideration of resiliency must be integral to
our planning process. We must plan for water levels twenty years from now,
and build green infrastructure that can absorb and store storm runoff to ease
the stress on our sewer systems. As resiliency design measures develop, the
Street Design Manual will be a critical resource in bringing them together.
This update continues the Manuals record as a living document. By the time
you read this, DOT, our partner agencies, and industry professionals will be
working toward publishing a Third Edition of the Manual in 2017building on
the strengths of previous versions and bringing together the latest successes
and standards into a playbook ready for a rapidly changing future.
Like our City, the Manual is continuously evolving to serve the needs of our
many communities in smarter, stronger and more effective ways.
Polly Trottenberg
Commissioner
7
Preface This Updated Second Edition of the Street Design Manual infuses the
document with a new emphasis on two critical principles, universal design and
resiliency, and transmits the latest findings and standards on a broad range of
street design elements and processes. It is a digital re-release; pages with
new information are noted on the DOT webpage for the Manual (www.nyc.gov/
html/dot/html/pedestrians/streetdesignmanual.shtml), and can be
substituted directly into existing copies. Where feasible, DOT recommends
saving the paper and referring directly to the digital document.
The update includes new content, based on feedback from users and
comprehensive inter- and intra-agency review. Highlights include:
8
Acknowledgments
Street Design Manual Team, 2nd Edition and Streetscape Task Force and
updates Other Contributors
Wendy Feuer Magary Aime, DPR Kate Mikuliak, DOT*
Margaret Newman Fekry Azer, DOT Yelena Minevich, DOT*
Nicholaas Peterson Sameeh Barkho, DOT Connie Moran, DOT
Nicholas Pettinati Barbara Barnes, DPR* Michael Murphy, DSNY
Patrick Smith Eric Beaton, DOT Kass Negash, DDC
Mike Bellew, DSNY* Dino Y.P. Ng, DDC
The completion of the second edition and its Matthew Best, OCPD Signe Nielsen, PDC
update would not have been possible without the Maurice Bruet, DOT* Jon Orcutt, DOT*
participation of the following individuals: Kerry Carnahan, DDC Galileo Orlando, DOT
Tom Cocola, DOT Joseph Palmieri, DOT*
Special Contributors Michelle Craven, DOT Ghanshyam Patel, DOT
Quemuel Arroyo, DOT Philip Damashek, DOT Susan Pondish, DOT
Jeremy Barrick, DPR* Louann Dunbar, DOT* Vadeannand Prashad, DOT
Patricia Browne, DOT Skye Duncan, DCP* Nancy Prince, DPR
Nette Compton, DPR* Alex Engel, DOT* David Ramia, DEP*
Michael Flynn, DOT* Magdi Farag, DEP* Marguerite Riskalla, DOT
Neil Gagliardi, DOT Margaret Forgione, DOT Gale Rothstein, EDC
Steve Gomez, DOT Elisabeth Franklin, DOT Scott Roveto, DOT
Staci Haber, DOT Mikhail Fridman, DOT* Ryan Russo, DOT
Terra Ishee, DOT Steve Galgano, DOT Ashley Ryan, DEP
Adriana Jacykewycz, DPR Jim Garin, DEP Luis Sanchez, DOT
Quinn Kelly, DOT Hilary Gietz, DOT* Vaidila Satvika, DOT*
Kleo King, MOPD Shari Glickman, DOT Brandon Schmitt, DPR
Jeff Malamy, DOT Jennifer Greenfeld, DPR Lacy Shelby, DOT*
Lynden Miller, PUBLIC GARDEN DESIGNER Bram Gunther, DPR* Jeff Shumaker, DCP
Kim Mulcahy, DOT* Nina Haiman, DOT Kate Slevin, DOT*
Sean Quinn, DOT Dalila Hall, DOT Jackie Snyder, PDC*
Matthew Roe, DOT* Leon Heyward, DOT Joseph Sopiak, DDC*
Suchitra Sanagavarapu, DOT Christopher Hrones, DOT* Julie Stein, DEP
Bruce Schaller, DOT* Christopher James, DCAS Carter Strickland, DEP*
David Vega-Barachowitz, NACTO Ed Janoff, DOT* Maria Termini, DSNY
Matthew Wells, DPR* Joseph Jarrin, DOT Sandy Tomas, EDC*
Andy Wiley-Schwartz, DOT* David Jehn, DOT* Keri Tyler, DOT
Elisabeth Wooton, DOT Laurie Kerr, OLTPS* Amie Uhrynowski, DPR
Jared Knowles, LPC Randy Wade, DOT
Aaron Koch, OLTPS Margot Walker, DEP
Joshua Kraus, DOT* Brett Wallace, DOT*
George Kroenert, DPR Alex Washburn, DCP*
Jennifer Leung, DOT Roger Weld, DOT
Timothy Lynch, DDC Andrew Weeks, DOT
Patricia Lyons, DOT* Emily Weidenhof, DOT
Alan Ma, DOT* Keith Wen, DOB
Nicholas Magilton, DOT* Alicia West, PDC*
Tom Maguire, DOT*
Vincent Maniscalco, DOT Copy Editor and Indexer
Michael Marsico, DOT Thomas F. Reynolds
9
Agencies DCA FHWA
New York City Department of Federal Highway Administration
Consumer Affairs
LPC
DCAS New York City Landmarks
New York City Department of Preservation Commission
Citywide Administrative Services
MOPD
DCP Mayors Office for People
New York City Department of with Disabilities
City Planning
MOS
DDC Mayor's Office of Sustainability
New York City Department of
MTA
Design and Construction
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
DEC
NYCT
New York State Department of
New York City Transit, an MTA agency
Environmental Conservation
NYPD
DEP
New York City Police Department
New York City Department of
Environmental Protection NYS DOT
New York State Department
DOB
of Transportation
New York City Department
of Buildings OCPD
Mayors Office of Capital
DOHMH
Project Development
New York City Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene OMB
Mayors Office of Management
DoITT
and Budget
New York City Department of
Information Technology and ORR
Telecommunications Mayor's Office of Recovery
and Resiliency
DOT / NYC DOT
New York City Department PDC
of Transportation New York City Public Design
Commission
DPR
New York City Department of SAPO
Parks and Recreation The Street Activity Permit Office
within the New York City Office
DSNY
of Citywide Event Coordination
New York City Department
and Management
of Sanitation
SBS
EDC
New York City Department of
New York City Economic
Small Business Services
Development Corporation
US ACE
FDNY
US Army Corps of Engineers
New York City Fire Department
US DOT
FEMA
US Department of Transportation
Federal Emergency Management
Agency
10
Introduction Purpose
Background 16
15
13
14
INTRODUCTION Purpose & Background
Purpose The Street Design Manual is New York Citys comprehensive resource on
street design guidelines, policies, and processes. It aggregates a broad range
of resourcesfrom nationally recognized engineering and design guidelines
and standards to federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulationsto
provide information on treatments that are allowed and encouraged on New
York City streets. The Manuals intended audience is diverse, consisting of
design professionals, city agencies and officials, community groups, and
private developers.
15
Until
the early
20th century,
streets served as
the front yards and
public squares
of cities.
16
Introduction Purpose & Background
17
Street Design Policy INTRODUCTION
18
INTRODUCTION: STREET DESIGN POLICY Goals & Principles
Goals & Principles Streets, which take up over a quarter of the citys land
area, are a critical part of New York Citys infrastructure.
The condition of these public spaces has a significant
impact on the citys environmental health and on the
quality of life for its residents.
4 Design Streets as
Public Spaces
6 Design for
Cost-Effectiveness
19
Goals & Principles INTRODUCTION: STREET DESIGN POLICY
Operational safety enhancements: Seventh Balance of local considerations with through Street design to match the context: Eastern
Avenue, Manhattan traffic: Delancey Street, Manhattan Parkway, Brooklyn
1 2 3
Design for Safety Design to Balance Local Access Design for Context
The citys efforts to enhance street and Mobility Streets help define the character
safety through engineering, Street designs should provide of neighborhoods. Except for
education, and enforcement have efficient ways to move people and standard furniture, materials, and
contributed to a dramatic drop in the goods and improve the economic lighting, a streets design should
number of pedestrian fatalities and vitality of the city, but not at the interact with the surrounding
serious injuries in the past 10 years. expense of safety and community context, including its history, land
Designing safe streets will continue to needs; street designs should uses, and nearby landmarks.
be the first priority for DOT. therefore balance access within
oo Preserve the unique character of
neighborhoods with mobility
oo Prioritize safety for all street neighborhoods.
through them.
users, particularly more vulnerable
oo Support connections to adjacent
groups (children, the elderly, those oo Provide safe, accessible,
land uses by providing gathering
with disabilities) and more convenient, and comfortable
spaces and pedestrian access to
vulnerable modes (walking, facilities for walking, bicycling,
and from major destinations.
bicycling). and transit, particularly on
designated routes and at critical oo Maintain aesthetic consistency
oo Design local streets for slower
network connections. within neighborhoods and corridors.
speeds to reduce the number
of crashes and to discourage oo Accommodate truck traffic and
cut-through traffic. deliveries while minimizing their
negative impacts on neighborhoods.
oo Research, test, and evaluate
innovative safety treatments, oo Meet or exceed ADA Standards
particularly those successfully for Accessible Design and
adopted in other cities. Proposed Guidelines for Pedestrian
Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way
(PROWAG).
oo Accommodate emergency-
vehicle access.
20
INTRODUCTION: STREET DESIGN POLICY Goals & Principles
Streetscape enhancements: Columbus Avenue, Bioswale: Dean Street, Brooklyn Raised median: Grand Concourse, Bronx
Manhattan
4 5 6
Design Streets as Public Spaces Design for Sustainability and Design for Cost-Effectiveness
Beyond their use for moving people Resiliency Reconstruction of city streets
and goods, streets comprise an Streets present an extraordinary requires substantial financial
extensive network of public open opportunity to improve the resources. The list of worthy projects
spaces that can facilitate social, civic, environmental health of the city. competing for a limited pool of
and economic interactions. Collaborate across agencies in funding is extensive. Street designs
testing, evaluating, and need to be cost-effective.
oo Expand usable public open space
standardizing new materials so that
by reallocating underutilized oo Consider not only up-front capital
streets are constructed in an
roadway space for pedestrian costs, but also full lifecycle costs
environmentally sound way, and
plazas, expanded sidewalks, corner and benefits; certain options may
respond effectively to more frequent
and mid-block curb extensions, cost more up front, but may have
intense storms and catastrophic
and opportunities for green lower ongoing maintenance and
weather events.
planted areas. operations costs and/or provide
oo Minimize impermeable surfaces long-term benefits.
oo Design streets to encourage
and maximize vegetation on
physical activity for all ages and oo Design streets to meet the citys
streets. Street designs should use
populations by making walking, future needs. Because streets are
stormwater source controls
bicycling, and transit attractive reconstructed infrequently,
wherever possible.
and convenient. consideration of future conditions
oo Utilize resilient materials that and needs should be part of the
oo Design local streets to be traffic-
can withstand periodic temporary planning process.
calmed environments that
inundation by both fresh and salt
encourage walking, bicycling, and oo Maintain a clear and consistent
water.
recreational activities. design-review process to streamline
oo Reduce streets rate of heat project review.
oo Expand the availability of public
absorption by maximizing tree
seating and bicycle racks. oo Establish well-considered and
canopy cover.
clearly defined goals early in project
oo Minimize the overall lifecycle development and focus on meeting
energy use and pollution associated those goals throughout planning
with projects, including the and design.
extraction, transportation,
construction, maintenance, and
replacement of materials.
21
Applicability INTRODUCTION: STREET DESIGN POLICY
Applicability The policies and guidelines in the Street Design Manual are the foundation of
designs for all projects that significantly impact public and private streets in
New York City. It should be used by agency staff, design professionals,
community groups, and other entities involved in the planning and design of
streets. DOT will review projects for consistency with the Manual.
The guidance presented in the Street Design Manual does not supersede any
existing federal, state or city laws, rules, and regulations. All projects remain
subject to relevant statutes, such as the Zoning Resolution of the City of New
York, City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR), and appropriate reviews and
approvals of oversight agencies such as the Public Design Commission (PDC),
Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), and Office of Management and
Budget (OMB).
Establishing Serving as
Setting Providing a
a Clear and a Central,
Appropriate Goals Framework for
Consistent Design Comprehensive
for Each Design
Review Reference
Project Decisions
Process Guide
22
INTRODUCTION: STREET DESIGN POLICY Organization
Organization The Street Design Manual is structured with six chapters and two appendices.
Chapters 2 through 6 contain the bulk of the Manuals design guidance.
Fourth Avenue community workshop: Brooklyn Operational safety enhancement: Louis Nine Concrete pigmented to match adjacent
Boulevard, Bronx bluestone: Pacific Street, Brooklyn
Cobra Head luminaire on Octagonal pole: Pearl CityBenches: Court Street, Brooklyn Planted median: 253rd Street, Queens
Street, Manhattan
23
The Planning Framework INTRODUCTION: STREET DESIGN POLICY
The Planning The Street Design Manual is focused on providing guidance for the design of
Framework streets. But the planning framework that establishes the context and priorities
for each design, and the ongoing management and operation of streets once
built, are also critical steps to create world-class streets (see below). DOT
evaluates the costs and effectiveness of design treatments and management
strategies to inform future designs and initiatives. This section provides an
overview of the larger planning framework for street design. Appendix B
includes a number of useful resources for best planning practices for streets.
24
INTRODUCTION: STREET DESIGN POLICY The Planning Framework
At the first public workshop for a plaza, participants share their ideas for the space: Ozone Park, Queens
25
Design Considerations INTRODUCTION: STREET DESIGN POLICY
Design To define context, set project goals, and help give appropriate thought to
Considerations the full range of factors that should inform a streets design, refer to this
list of design considerations. Projects submitted to DOT for approval will
be reviewed with respect to these topic areas.
26
Process 1.0 Introduction
Table 1a
30
31
Table 1b 33
1 29
1.0 Introduction PROCESS
Pipe installation as part of street reconstruction. Capital projects can impact sub-surface
conditions and are more comprehensive. They are managed by the Department of Design and
Construction (DDC): Second Avenue at East Houston Street, Manhattan
30
PROCESS 1.0 Introduction
TABLE 1A
Operational Capital
Elements Signals, markings, signs, basic concrete work such No restrictions. Project can include full
as islands or medians, street furniture, landscaping, reconstruction, sub-surface infrastructure upgrades
paint, epoxy gravel. No sub-surface work and/or relocation, lighting, permanent streetscape
elements, regrading, resurfacing, and green
infrastructure. Many streetscape elements that can
be Expense-funded can also be Capitally funded
Funding Source Mostly City Expense funds; some federal and Mostly city Capital funds; some federal and
state grants state grants
Coordination Generally not necessary, except for concrete work, Necessary to avoid negative impacts to DEP
with DEP to avoid disruption to DEP infrastructure infrastructure (including right-of-way bioswales
and stormwater greenstreets). Enhancements to
DEP infrastructure in the same project may be
possible, thereby realizing overall efficiencies
and cost savings. DEP requirements may affect
implementation schedule
Reviews by DOT notifies FDNY if there are potential impacts OMB, and, if relevant, DPR, FDNY, LPC, NYPD,
Other Agencies on its operations. Utilities are consulted as ORR, and PDC. Utilities also review. DPR, MTA, and
and Utilities necessary. New York State DOT (NYS DOT) Port Authority are consulted as necessary. NYS
reviews projects funded by the Federal Highway DOT reviews FHWA-funded projects, and the FTA
Administration (FHWA), and the Federal Transit reviews projects that it funds. Coordination with
Administration (FTA) reviews projects that it funds. as many as 40 public agencies and private entities
For major transportation projects*, DOT consults may be required. For major transportation projects*,
with FDNY, NYPD, the Mayors Office for People DOT consults with FDNY, NYPD, the Mayors Office
with Disabilities (MOPD), and SBS. Designs for all for People with Disabilities (MOPD), and SBS
works of art and structures intended for use in a
fixed location for more than one year are subject
to Public Design Commission (PDC) review
No-Build Clause Additional Operational and/or Capital work can be No additional Capital work can be performed at
done at project site post-completion, as needed project site for at least 5 years. Operational work
is allowed
Design DOT or its consultant DDC in-house or consultant, often based upon
a conceptual schematic from DOT
* Major transportation projects are defined by Local Law 90 of 2009 as affecting four or more consecutive blocks or 1,000
consecutive feet (whichever is shorter); a major realignment of the roadway, including either the removal of a vehicular (or
travel) lane(s) or full-time removal of a parking lane(s) or the addition of a vehicular lane(s). For further information, see
Section 19-101.2 of the New York City Administrative Code.
See the definition of structures in Section 854(b) of the New York City Charter.
For further information see Section 854(g) of the New York City Charter.
31
1.0 Introduction PROCESS
32
PROCESS 1.0 Introduction
TABLE 1B
A 10.0 10.0
B > 10.0 and 20.0 > 10.0 and 15.0
C > 20.0 and 35.0 > 15.0 and 25.0
D > 35.0 and 55.0 > 25.0 and 35.0
E > 55.0 and 80.0 > 35.0 and 50.0
F > 80.0 > 50.0
Level of service (LOS) grades. Traffic engineers and planners use LOS analysis at signalized and unsignalized intersections to measure a projects impact
on vehicular traffic. They analyze and compare intersections under existing and post-build conditions. Under the CEQR Manual, project designs that
worsen LOS to below mid-D in a model require a full environmental impact statement and often mitigation.
Reviews by Other Entities The Public Design Commission (PDC) Projects Initiated Outside DOT
Other city agencies and public reviews some Operational projects, While this chapter focuses on
utilities regularly review project depending on whether the design is projects that originate at DOT,
designs. The New York City Fire intended for use in a fixed location other entitiesboth public and
Department (FDNY) reviews any during a period of more than one privatecan plan and design
designswhether Operational or year. At several stages of design, projects that affect the ROW. In
Capitalthat might affect its PDC reviews all Capital projects such cases, DOT works so that
operations. The Department of that feature streetscape treatments the projects meet established
Environmental Protection (DEP) and whose usage is not standard, as criteriaparticularly with regard
public utilities review each Capital indicated in this Manual. These to safetyand provides guidance
project for potential impacts on their reviews may require multiple on meeting other requirements
infrastructure and for opportunities submissions; see Design and guidelines, such as those
to fold in enhancements to their Development and Review Diagram enumerated in CEQR and this
infrastructure as part of the project. for more information on PDC reviews Manual.
and their interplay with typical design
Aside from FDNY and DEP, other city phases. The Landmarks Preservation Project designs must conform
agencies review DOT projects as Commission (LPC) reviews all Capital to existing contexts or, if other,
necessary. The Department of Parks projectsand, under certain nearby projects are planned, to
and Recreation (DPR) reviews all circumstances, Operational future conditions. For instance, a
projects that impact existing trees or projectsin historic districts. project site might be a segment
propose new trees. The New York of an official truck route or of a
City Police Department (NYPD) Major transportation projects (as planned bicycle route, in which case
reviews DOT projects that may have defined by Local Law 90 of 2009) DOT requests that sufficient lane
security implications. The Mayor's require notification to the affected widths be maintained to continue
Office for People with Disabilities community board(s) and council to accommodate trucks, or asks
(MOPD) reviews Operational projects member(s) as well as consultation that bike lanes be incorporated
for consistency with ADA standards. with multiple agencies per Section into the design.
19-101.2 of the New York City
Administrative Code. The New York City Economic
Development Corporation (EDC)
See Table 1A for more information designs and builds many projects in
on reviews of DOT projects by the ROW. DOT collaborates with
other entities. EDC on such projects.
33
1.1 Operational Projects PROCESS
Operational
Projects
1.1.1 Origination
34
PROCESS 1.1 Operational Projects
1.1.2 Planning & Design Design (612 Months) In some cases, if DOT contemplates
DOT surveys the project site and making changes to signal timing or
Scoping (14 Months) creates a base map to establish narrowing or removing lanes, the agency
DOT plans and designs most of its existing conditions. Agency staff then uses computer modelling to anticipate
Operational projects rather than design enhancements that meet future conditions and adjust the plan
engaging a consultant to do so. When project goals. DOT may collect or make improvements as needed.
it begins to plan a project, agency additional information as the project is
staff conduct site visits, talk to developed if other nearby 1.1.3 Implementation (290 Days)
stakeholders, and collect appropriate intersections are determined to be in
information, which typically includes need of modification. Once a project design is completed,
some or all of the following: the relevant DOT unit and/or outside
DOT consults with FDNY to address contractors implement the project.
oo Crash data any concerns about the impact of The work season is usually between
oo Traffic speeds the designs on its operations. The mid-April and mid-November.
oo Pedestrian, bicycle, and motor agency also presents the preliminary
vehicle volumes concepts to the relevant community DOT staff monitor and analyze crash
oo Turning-movement counts board and elected officials for input. data at the project site for up to three
oo Parking utilization If the project is a major transportation years after implementation. DOT also
oo Contextual information, particularly project, as defined in Local Law 90 compares pre- and post-
local land uses, parking regulations, of 2009, DOT also consults with implementation motor vehicle, bicycle,
bus/truck route information, etc. NYPD, the Department of Small and pedestrian data to determine
oo Inventory of existing infrastructure, Business Services, and the Mayors what impact, if any, the project had on
such as fire hydrants, storm drains, Office for People with Disabilities. mobility. If issues arise out of this
manholes, sidewalks and curbs, The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) analysis, DOT may revisit the project
curb cuts, etc. is consulted when a design will clearly to make modifications. DOT is
oo Relevant demographic data, such impact its operations. Designs for increasingly measuring other project-
as high proportions of elderly New all works of art and structures performance indicators as well, such
Yorkers and/or people with intended for use in a fixed location as economic and environmental
disabilities for more than one year are subject to impacts. Much of these data are
PDC review. available in DOTs annual Sustainable
Preliminary design concepts often Streets Index report.
emerge from initial data collection and
information from stakeholders.
DOT's Traffic Safety Data Viewer displays and
exports crash data details and summaries for
corridors and intersections. Information from the
Viewer informs project scoping
35
1.2 Capital Projects PROCESS
36
PROCESS
The likelihood of PDC review should PDC Conceptual Review PDC Preliminary Review PDC Final Review
be determined during scoping. If PDC During Preliminary Design Beginning of Final Design 90% Final Design
37
1.2 Capital Projects
38
1.3 Case Studies PROCESS
Case Studies
39
1.3.1 Hoyt Avenue at RFK Bridge PROCESS: CASE STUDIES
Hoyt Avenue Operational projects can be effective in saving both time and costs; the
at RFK Bridge enhancements around Hoyt Avenue at the RFK Bridge were implemented
quickly, despite some jurisdictional overlap with the MTA. Stakeholders
played a formative role in identifying project goals at the outset, thereby
Short-Term Project
avoiding delays during community board design review.
Enhance safety for all users, improve The land uses in the area are DOTs Queens Borough
mobility, add landscaping, and create generally commercial, with some Commissioner's office co-hosted a
new public space in an area that sees residential. The Astoria Blvd N/Q New York Metropolitan
thousands of pedestrians daily. elevated subway station is a major Transportation Council (NYMTC)
pedestrian generator and Walkable Communities workshop in
Location destination, with many subway riders late March 2009, focused on the
transferring to the M60 bus here to project area. Safety was a major
Astoria, Queens, near where RFK
go to LaGuardia Airport. concern: the intersection of 31st
Bridge (formerly the Triboro Bridge)
Street, Hoyt Avenue, and Astoria
intersects with neighborhood streets The recent construction of a senior
Boulevard was the highest crash
and around the Astoria Blvd elevated center at the intersection of 29th
location in northwestern Queens,
subway station. Street and Hoyt Avenue South
and, although pedestrian injuries in
increased the urgency of the project
the area were low, participants
enhancements.
nonetheless perceived this multi-
segment intersection as dangerous.
40
PROCESS: CASE STUDIES 1.3.1 Hoyt Avenue at RFK Bridge
41
1.3.2 West Houston Street PROCESS: CASE STUDIES
Street Houston Street Capital project was expanded to include DEP and MTA
sub-surface infrastructure upgrades. The end product was therefore
considerably more robust and durable.
Capital Project
Enhance safety, reduce motor vehicle Land uses in the corridor vary: there A number of factors led to the project.
congestion, and replace aging is a mixture of manufacturing with a Houston Street, last rebuilt in the late
infrastructure. commercial overlay at the western 1950s, was in need of upgrading. The
extent and mixed commercial and corridor's crash rate was of concern
Location residential in the center. Parking is to DOT, with rear-end crashes
allowed along most of the street. The involving vehicles turning left off
At its western end, Houston Street
M21 bus runs along the entire length Houston Street being the
serves as the border between SoHo
of Houston Street, and several predominant type of crash. Finally,
to the south and the West Village to
subway lines stop along the street. local elected officials provided
the north. The project includes part of
funding for new plantings in the
East Houston Street.
median to replace dead trees. DOT
determined that widening the median
would be necessary to support
plantings, and this would also
enhance pedestrian safety.
42
PROCESS: CASE STUDIES 1.3.2 West Houston Street
43
1.3.3 Willoughby Plaza PROCESS: CASE STUDIES
Willoughby Plaza Willoughby Plaza was originally built as an Operational project. This
allowed local businesses to experience the street segment as a plaza
Capital Project and to observe the projects impacts in real time. Once it was clear that
the change benefitted the area, DOT reconstructed the site to make it
permanent.
Enhance pedestrian safety, provide The surrounding area is In 2004 EDC and DCP drafted the
more open space and pedestrian and characterized primarily by medium- Downtown Revitalization Plan, which
bicyclist amenities, and address to high-density commercial and recommends a series of zoning map
illegal parking on Willoughby Street. institutional uses and street-level text changes, new public open
retail. On the north side of Willoughby spaces, and other actions. This set
Location Street, two- to 13-story buildings the stage for more intense
house mostly government and development in the area, which led to
The project site is located in the
educational uses, while on the south significantly increased pedestrian
heart of Downtown Brooklyn, a
side, lower-rise buildings house retail volumes on Willoughby Street. DOT
bustling, mixed-use neighborhood
and small offices. C5-4 and C6-4.5 created an interim plaza at this site in
and New York Citys third-largest
zoning regulations surround the site. spring 2006. Willoughby Plaza
central business district. The project
eventually became a Capital project
created a permanent plaza on
and was reconstructed in permanent
Willoughby Street between the
materials. The project budget was
Adams Street East Service Road
$1.8 million.
and Pearl Street, plus about 120
feet along the service road.
44
PROCESS: CASE STUDIES 1.3.3 Willoughby Plaza
45
Geometry 2.0 Introduction
2.0.1 General Guidelines
51
52
2
2.3.5 Chicane 89
2.3.6 Neighborhood Traffic Circle 90
2.3.7 Roundabout 91
2.3.8 Raised Intersection 93
49
2.0 Geometry Reference Guide GEOMETRY
2.1.2b Busway
2.1.4 Plaza
2.3.3 Gateway
2.3.5 Chicane
50
GEOMETRY 2.0 Introduction
Introduction
Applicability and Exceptions
All new projects that significantly
impact public and private streets
should follow these guidelines. DOT
approval will be based on site-specific
conditions and cost-effective
engineering standards and judgment,
with the safety and accessibility of all
street users being of paramount
importance.
Usage Categories
Geometric treatments are divided into
three categories: Wide, Limited, and
Pilot applications.
Streetscape enhancements on Columbus Avenue between West 76th and 77th Streets included Wide
CityBenches, planting areas bounded by reused granite pavers, and new tree-bed guards: Manhattan
Geometric treatments of this type are
About this Chapter Guidance Sources in wide use throughout New York City.
The geometric design of streets is Guidance on the geometric design and They constitute the basic set of
integral to their use; for instance, operations of streets and roadways is elements that are typically found on
overly wide roadways and corners contained in such sources as A Policy city streets. Designs should
with large turning radii tend to invite on Geometric Design of Highways and incorporate them wherever
speeding and create an environment Streets (AASHTO, 2011), the Manual appropriate. These treatments
that is uncomfortable for pedestrians. of Uniform Traffic Control Devices generally require less intensive review
Pedestrian ramps improve transitions (FHWA, 2003), the 2010 ADA than limited or pilot treatments.
for users, particularly people with Standards for Accessible Design
disabilities. Geometry also affects (USDOJ, 2010), the Urban Bikeway Limited
streets economic, community, and Design Guide (NACTO, 2012), and the Geometric treatments of this type are
environmental impacts. Urban Street Geometric Design currently in limited use in New York
Handbook (ITE, 2008). City. While the designs are well-
This chapter establishes general established, their application is
guidelines for the geometric design Other resources include the Guide for contingent on site-specific conditions.
of streets as well as a toolbox of the Planning, Design, and Operation These treatments will require more
geometric treatments that may be of Pedestrian Facilities (AASHTO, in-depth review of appropriateness
used to enhance safety, mobility, 2004), Inclusive Design Guidelines and feasibility.
and sustainability. (MOPD, 2010), Designing Walkable
Urban Thoroughfares: Context Pilot
The recommendations of this chapter Sensitive Approach (ITE, 2010), the Geometric treatments of this type
supplement rather than replace Urban Street Design Guide (NACTO, are currently in, at most, limited use
existing sources of detailed 2013), and New York Citys Active in New York City, but have been
engineering guidance and do not Design Guidelines (2010). Readers employed successfully in other US
supersede any existing federal, state, should also refer to DOTs Measuring and international cites. Appropriate
or city laws, rules, and regulations. All the Street: New Metrics for 21st design criteria are still under
projects remain subject to relevant Century Streets (2012) and the New development for application in New
statutes, such as the Zoning York City Pedestrian Safety and York City. Proposals for pilot usage
Resolution of the City of New York, Action Plan (2010). For additional of these treatments are encouraged
City Environmental Quality Review references, see Appendix B. and will be evaluated on a case-by-
(CEQR) and appropriate reviews and case basis.
approvals of oversight agencies.
51
2.0.1 General Guidelines GEOMETRY
General Guidelines
As the New York State DOTs Project local streets, residential streets, and
Development Manual states, it is alleys; on streets adjacent to schools;
understood that, even for a federally in areas with higher populations of
The following guidelines
funded project, it may not always seniors or people with disabilities;
expand on the general be practicable tofully accommodate and on waterfronts, in parks, or in and
policies and principles design year traffic, or even to fully around other significant pedestrian
address existing traffic congestion. destinations.
outlined in the Introduction, Further, traffic forecasts alone do
with more detailed not dictate project scope. Forecasts DOT applies design interventions as
are only one of many factors (safety necessary to slow down fast and
information specific to
needs, mobility needs, environmental aggressive driving. These
geometric street design. issues, community needs, etc.) to be interventions, known as traffic-
addressed. (See p. 52 Design Year calming measures, include LANE
Traffic Forecasts section of the NARROWING & LANE REMOVAL (2.3.1),
Sustainable Street Design
Project Development Manual for more SPEED CUSHIONS (2.3.2a), CURB
Street reconstruction projects are, as
information: www.dot.ny.gov/ EXTENSIONS (2.2.2), and RAISED
a rule, designed to accommodate
divisions/engineering/design/dqab/ CROSSWALKS (2.3.4), and sometimes
motor vehicle traffic that is
dqab-repository/pdmapp5.pdf.) are intended also to improve
forecasted for a certain year (the
pedestrian comfort. As part of its
design year) in order to meet
Vehicle Target Speed efforts to enhance safety, DOT
requirements of the Clean Air Act; and
Streets should be designed with deploys traffic-calming devices in
in many jurisdictions in the United
target speeds (see Glossary) and neighborhoods around schools and in
States the forecast invariably calls for
speed limits appropriate to their areas with high numbers of crashes
growth in motor vehicle traffic. For
surrounding uses and desired role in involving elderly pedestrians. Community
federally funded projects, the design
the vehicular network. The citywide groups can also request certain traffic-
year is 20 years after the project is
speed limit is 25 mph, except where calming interventions at specific locations
completed (the build year). In New
otherwise noted. New York State by requesting them from their DOT
York City, consideration should be
Vehicle & Traffic Law (VTL) Section Borough Commissioners. Some traffic-
given to recent trends in traffic and
1642(a)(26)(a) currently allows speed calming treatments can be designed in
mode choiceas documented in
limits below 25 mph, and as low as 15 such a way as also to enhance the
DOTs Sustainable Streets
mph in New York City if used in public realm.
Indexand their implication for
conjunction with traffic-calming
traffic volumes in future years (e.g.,
measures. Slower target speeds and
five years after the build year). In most
speed limits should be considered on
parts of the city, motor vehicle traffic
volumes are stable or shrinking, while
transit is growing; this is due to New
York Citys heavy investments in the
last two decades in subway, bus,
pedestrian, and bicycle infrastructure.
These investments have spurred rapid
increases in non-auto travel,
suggesting that there is a positive
relationship between street design
and mode choice: streets that
prioritize the safety and movement of
pedestrians, bus riders, and cyclists
equally with the movement of cars will
produce more sustainable outcomes.
Wide roadways like Queens Boulevard can be mitigated with measures such as pedestrian facilities
on medians: Queens
52
GEOMETRY 2.0.1 General Guidelines
53
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Roadways & Lanes Geometry GEOMETRY
54
GEOMETRY: ROADWAYS & LANES 2.1.1 Bike Lane & Path
Bike Lane & Path A dedicated on-street lane or path for bicycles (see Glossary). Bikeways are
typically designed as BIKE LANES within the roadway delineated with markings
(2.1.1a, also known as Class 2 bike lanes) or as BIKE PATHS physically separated
from traffic for most of their length (2.1.1b, also known as Class 1 bike lanes).
Another typical design is the shared lane (Class 3 bike lane) described in Table 1.
The shared lane is not covered by the Manual. Bikeways in parks, or in other
places with heavy pedestrian traffic can also be designated by bike stamps.
55
2.1.1a Bike Lane GEOMETRY: ROADWAYS & LANES
Bike Lane A portion of a roadway that has been designated by striping, signs, and
pavement markings for the preferential or exclusive use of bicyclists. Also
Usage: Wide known as a Class 2 bike lane. Physical separation of bike lanes is desirable, but
is not always possible due to physical or operational constraints designated by
bike stamps.
See benefits of BIKE LANES & PATHS See application guidance for BIKE See design guidance for BIKE LANES &
(2.1.1) LANES & PATHS PATHS
On-roadway bike lanes that narrow or Consider using a BIKE PATH (2.1.1b) BIKE LANES should be buffered when
replace motor vehicle lanes can calm rather than, or in addition to, a BIKE possible, typically with 3 feet of
traffic LANE where street conditions permit channelization
(e.g., street width, traffic volume, etc.)
At intersections with complex traffic
Considerations
patternsor when bike lanes are
Without physical separation, vehicles located immediately adjacent to the
can block bike lanes, making curbbike lanes can be given visual
enforcement of violations more critical emphasis through the application of
green-colored pavement
56
GEOMETRY: ROADWAYS & LANES 2.1.1b Bike Path
Bike Path A path intended for the use of bicycles that is physically separated from
motorized vehicle traffic by an open space or barrier and either within the
Usage: Limited roadway or within an independent right-of-way. Also known as a Class 1
bike lane. Physical separation of bikeways can sometimes be preferable on wide
or busy streets, on major bike routes, or along long, uninterrupted stretches.
Separation can take the form of a painted buffer demarcating the bike lane
behind a floating parking lane, a narrow curb or raised median, or a wider
raised median with landscaping. An alternative form of separation is grade-
separation, where the bike path is located at sidewalk grade or in between
sidewalk and roadway grade.
Two-way bike path: Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn Two-way bike path located outside the sidewalk: Columbia Street, Brooklyn
57
2.1.1 Bikeway GEOMETRY: ROADWAYS & LANES
TABLE 1
New York City Signal-Protected Path Protected Path with Mixing Zones
On-Street 9th Avenue, West 59th to 16th Streets,
Manhattan
Grand Street, Manhattan
Bicycle
Facilities
58
GEOMETRY: ROADWAYS & LANES 2.1.1 Bikeway
Class 2: Bike Lane (2.1.2a) Class 3: Bike Route (Not Included in Manual)
oo Dedicated cycling space oo Dedicated roadway oo Clear, easy to follow oo I ndicates a preferred
oo Buffer zone enhances space for cycling bicycle route bicycle route
comfort for cyclists oo Preserves curbside oo Heightens driver oo Preserves curbside
oo Preserves curbside access awareness of cyclists access
access oo Simple implementation oo Preserves curbside oo Simple implementation
oo Simple implementation access
oo Simple implementation
oo Vehicular intrusion oo Vehicular intrusion oo Does not provide oo Does not provide
remains possible remains possible dedicated roadway dedicated roadway
oo Width tempts motorists oo Cyclists have minimal space for cycling space for cycling
to intrude separation from traffic oo Cyclists not separated oo Cyclists not separated
oo Perceived as less safe oo Perceived as less safe from traffic from traffic
than protected paths than protected paths oo Sign placement critical,
can be challenging
59
2.1.2 Bus Lane & Busway GEOMETRY: ROADWAYS & LANES
Bus Lane A dedicated on-street facility for buses. BUS LANES are delineated within the
& Busway roadway with markings (2.1.2a) while BUSWAYS are physically separated from
traffic for most of their length (2.1.2b). Both facility types can either be
designed to run along the median of the street or along the outside (curbside or
offset from a parking lane) of the street. Select Bus Service (SBS) is a high-
quality bus service operated by MTA New York City Transit that uses several
techniques to improve the speed and reliability of bus service, including BUS
LANES.
Benefits
Considerations
Application
60
GEOMETRY: ROADWAYS & LANES 2.1.2 Bus Lane & Busway
61
2.1.2a Bus Lane & Busway: Bus Lane GEOMETRY: ROADWAYS & LANES
Bus Lane A portion of a roadway which has been designated by striping, signing,
and pavement markings for the preferential or exclusive use of buses.
Usage: Limited Physical separation of bus lanes is often inadvisable due to physical or
operational constraints. Painted lanes, overhead signs, and soft barriers can
minimize intrusion of other vehicles. Where land use and street width permit, full
or partial physical separation can help enforce the lanes (see 2.1.2b).
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Design
Red-colored pavement can be Curb-aligned double bus lane: Madison Avenue, Manhattan
considered for bus lanes that operate
six or more hours per day
62
GEOMETRY: ROADWAYS & LANES 2.1.2b Bus Lane & Busway: Busway
Busway A physically separated lane reserved for bus traffic. Busways are similar to
BUS LANES (2.1.2a) in most respects, however full or partial physical separation
(typically through a narrow curb or wider RAISED MEDIAN (2.2.3) further
Usage: Limited
improves bus speeds by minimizing blocking of the bus lane by other vehicles.
63
2.1.3 Shared Street GEOMETRY: ROADWAYS & LANES
64
GEOMETRY: ROADWAYS & LANES 2.1.3 Shared Street
Application Design
Consider on narrower streets (at most Curbs should not be used, but
two moving lanes) or outer roadways pedestrian paths of travel alongside
of boulevard-type streets, with little or vehicle zones with guideways using
no through-traffic, and which are not tactile cues and maximum visual
major vehicular or bicyclist through- contrast should be included for
routes or designated truck routes people with vision disabilities
65
2.1.4 Plaza GEOMETRY: ROADWAYS & LANES
Plaza An area located fully within the roadway that is designated by DOT for use
by pedestrians. The space may contain benches, tables, or other facilities.
DOT builds both interim and permanent plazas. Many plazas are built through
DOTs Plaza Program, which aims to enhance the public realm. See Chapter 1:
PROCESS for more information on how DOT projects are planned, designed, and
implemented.
Promotes social interaction and builds The road segments relevance to the Under-utilized, DOT-owned road
neighborhood identity traffic network segments and other city property
Encourages pedestrian activity and Open-space needs Locations with high crash rates
associated health benefits
Surrounding land uses and site Neighborhoods that support
Catalyzes local economic appropriateness repurposing streets for plazas
development
Anyone can apply to the Street
Design
Serves as a venue for a diverse range Activity Permit Office (SAPO) to
of community, cultural, and/or stage events on DOT plazas. To learn Plaza designs should support year-
commercial events more about the event permitting round events and programs
process, contact SAPO by phone at
Enhances safety by narrowing wide See design guidance for PERMANENT
(212) 788-7567 or visit
roadways and/or normalizing PLAZA (2.1.4a) and INTERIM PLAZA
www.nyc.gov/cecm
intersections (2.1.4b)
Advertising is not permitted in plazas
Provide clear paths and tactile cues to
Generally requires a maintenance accommodate people with disabilities
agreement
Furniture should accommodate
people with disabilities; for example,
providing space for knee clearance
for people using mobility devices
66
GEOMETRY: ROADWAYS & LANES 2.1.4a Permanent Plaza
PLAZA
Permanent Plaza A plaza built with Capital funds to be maintained and managed by a local
not-for-profit organization (Partner) or another entity, such as the
Usage: Limited Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR). Such a project completely
reconstructs the street segment, in whole or in part.
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Design Incorporate public art where feasible Incorporate trees and other green
cover. See TREE BEDS (6.1) and PLAZA
Each permanent plaza is designed to All permanent public art must be
PLANTINGS (6.4)
reflect the character and context of its coordinated through the Department
neighborhood. DOT and the Partner of Cultural Affairs (DCA) Percent for Utilize stormwater source controls
conduct a public process to develop Art Program and requires approval by wherever feasible
an appropriate design that is the Public Design Commission (PDC).
Increase SRI (solar reflective index)
responsive to the needs of the Permanent art may be completely
value of paved surfaces to reduce
community integrated and functional (e.g.,
urban heat island impact
benches, tables, etc.), or it may be
A consultant design team bases its
stand-alone art (e.g., a sculpture) Utilize recycled content in paving
plans on feedback from the public
materials
process Temporary art can be installed as a
one-time project or cycled through on
Sites smaller than 2,000 square feet
a temporary basis at a designated
are not encouraged
space in the plaza. Temporary art must
Plazas may include movable and/or be coordinated through DOTs Urban
formal and informal fixed seating; Art Program. For guidelines and to
trees and plants (see TREE BEDS [6.1] apply to the Urban Art Program, visit
and PLAZA PLANTINGS [6.4]); lighting; www.nyc.gov/urbanart
paving; information and wayfinding
Minimize impervious paved areas and
signage; subconcessions; public art
utilize permeable paving wherever
(temporary and permanent); bicycle
possible
parking; and drinking-water fountains
67
2.1.4b Interim Plaza GEOMETRY: ROADWAYS & LANES
PLAZA
Interim Plaza A plaza built with interim materials by DOT personnel and on-call
contractors. The interim condition often precedes a permanent plaza. This
Usage: Wide type of plaza can be built quickly, allowing people to use it sooner.
68
2.0 Introduction
Geometry
GEOMETRY Geometry 2.2 Sidewalks & Raised
2.0
Medians
Introduction
69
2.2.1 Sidewalk GEOMETRY: SIDEWALKS & RAISED MEDIANS
Sidewalk That portion of a street, whether paved or unpaved, between the curb
lines or the lateral lines of a roadway and the adjacent property lines
intended for the use of pedestrians. Where it is not clear which section is
intended for the use of pedestrians, the sidewalk will be deemed to be that
portion of the street between the building line and the curb. In denser areas a
FULL SIDEWALK (2.2.1a) reaching all the way to the curb is used, while in less
built-up areas a RIBBON SIDEWALK (2.2.1b), with a vegetated or grass planting
strip between the sidewalk and the roadway, can often be used.
Benefits
Considerations Design
70
GEOMETRY: SIDEWALKS & RAISED MEDIANS 2.2.1 Sidewalk
Color of detectable warning strip Maximize trees and other green cover
should contrast with surrounding wherever clearance allows. See TREE
pavement: dark gray in areas of light BEDS (6.1) and SIDEWALK PLANTINGS
pavement and white in areas of dark (6.3)
pavement. See DOT Standard Details
Utilize stormwater source controls
of Construction drawing H-1011
wherever feasible
The area within 18 inches of the curb
Increase SRI value of sidewalk
should be kept free of all obstructions
materials to reduce urban heat island
New York City Mayors Executive impact
Order No.22 of 1995 (the Clear
Utilize recycled content in paving
Corner Policy) states that to the
materials
maximum extent possible, structures
and objects should not be placed in
the corner quadrant
71
2.2.1a Sidewalk: Full Sidewalk GEOMETRY: SIDEWALKS & RAISED MEDIANS
SIDEWALK
Full Sidewalk A full sidewalk accommodates both pedestrian traffic and a range of
street furnishings and fixtures. The area of the sidewalk closest to the
Usage: Wide curb, where light poles, signs, fire hydrants, waste receptacles, telephone
booths, newspaper boxes, etc., are typically located, is referred to as the
furnishing zone.
Benefits
Application
Design
72
GEOMETRY: SIDEWALKS & RAISED MEDIANS 2.2.1b Sidewalk: Ribbon Sidewalk
SIDEWALK
Ribbon Sidewalk A sidewalk that is separated from the roadway by a continuous, unpaved
planting strip. Most existing ribbon sidewalks in the city have a lawn planting
Usage: Wide strip, more sustainable landscaping options should be utilized whenever
possible. Alternatively, planting strips can be designed as pilot STORMWATER
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (6.6.1) to help collect stormwater runoff.
Benefits
Application
Consider wherever pedestrian Planting strips adjacent to ribbon Similar considerations apply to other
volumes can be accommodated and sidewalks must be planted with elements, such as lampposts and
curbside activity is low groundcover vegetation for erosion signal posts
control if a STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Where feasible, utilize STORMWATER
Design PRACTICE (6.6) is not used;
MANAGEMENT PRACTICE (6.6) within
herbaceous plant material, preferably
See geometric design guidance for planting strip rather than groundcover
native or adapted species, should be
SIDEWALK (2.2.1) and materials vegetation alone to better manage
used rather than grass wherever
guidance for SIDEWALKS (3.1) stormwater
possible, as turf absorbs water from
Ribbon sidewalks should be at least 5 tree roots, has little benefit to habitat,
feet wide or as required to match the and requires the use of pesticides,
existing ribbon width in the immediate herbicides, fungicides, and
neighborhood; they should be wider lawnmowers that can potentially
along arterials and collector roads damage tree roots
73
2.2.2 Curb Extension GEOMETRY: SIDEWALKS & RAISED MEDIANS
Curb Extension An expansion of the curb line into the lane of the roadway adjacent to the
curb (typically a parking lane) for a portion of a block either at a corner or
mid-block. Also known as neckdowns, curb extensions can enhance pedestrian
safety by reducing crossing distances, can relieve sidewalk crowding, and can
provide space for functional elements such as seating, plantings, and furniture.
In addition, two curb extensions can be located on either side of a street to
create a MID-BLOCK NARROWING (2.2.2 c) or at an intersection to create a
GATEWAY (2.3.3).
5' (TYP)
ABOVE :
Curb extension: Seventh Avenue,
Manhattan
Benefits Reinforces lane discipline through Can discourage truck turns onto
intersection, preventing vehicle streets with No Truck regulations
Calms traffic by physically and visually
passing maneuvers in parking lane (See Rules of the City of New York,
narrowing the roadway
Title 34, Chapter 4, Section 4-13)
Provides additional pedestrian space
At a corner, slows turning vehicles and
and reduces crowding, particularly for
emphasizes the right-of-way of Considerations
queuing at crossings and bus stops or
crossing pedestrians
when located at a subway entrance or May impact street drainage or require
Shortens crossing distance, reducing other protrusion catch basin relocation
pedestrian exposure and minimum
Creates space that may be used to May impact underground utilities
required signal time for crossing
locate street furniture, bike parking,
May require loss of curbside parking
Improves the ability of crossing bus stop, public seating, street
pedestrians and drivers to see each vendors, etc., potentially reducing May complicate delivery access and
other sidewalk clutter garbage removal
Makes the crosswalk more apparent Keeps fire hydrant zone clear when May impact snow plows and street
to drivers, encouraging them to stop in located in front of a hydrant sweepers
advance of the crosswalk, and
Defines the ends of angle parking
reduces illegal parking within
crosswalk
74
GEOMETRY: SIDEWALKS & RAISED MEDIANS 2.2.2 Curb Extension
Application Design
75
2.2.2a Curb Extension: Community Facilities GEOMETRY: SIDEWALKS & RAISED MEDIANS
CURB EXTENSION
Curb Extension: A CURB E X TENSION that provides space for community facilities such as
Community bicycle parking, seating, and other street furniture. In areas with
inadequate sidewalk width to accommodate needed functional sidewalk
Facilities elements for the community, the extra space provided by a curb extension
can be used for bike parking, seating, public art, gardens, plantings,
Usage: Wide or trees, alone or in combination. Similarly, all paved curb extensions can
also provide space for consolidating basic sidewalk furnishings such as trash
cans, newspaper racks, newsstands, and light or signal poles, where foot
traffic permits.
76
GEOMETRY: SIDEWALKS & RAISED MEDIANS 2.2.2b Curb Extension: Bus Bulb
CURB EXTENSION
Bus Bulb A CURB E X TENSION at a bus stop that avoids the need for buses to pull in
and out of the moving lane to pick up and discharge passengers. Bus bulbs
Usage: Wide may also be designed to better support bus passengers through the inclusion of
higher curbs, bus stop shelters, seating, pre-boarding payment equipment, and
other bus-supportive facilities.
Benefits
77
2.2.2c Curb Extension: Mid-Block Narrowing GEOMETRY: SIDEWALKS & RAISED MEDIANS
CURB EXTENSION
Mid-Block Two CURB E X TENSIONS that create a pinch point. A mid-block narrowing (also
Design
78
GEOMETRY: SIDEWALKS & RAISED MEDIANS 2.2.3 Raised Median
Raised Median A raised area separating different lanes, traffic directions, or roadways
within a street. The raised median can be either curb height (67 inches) or,
where appropriate, 1224 inches high. The width as well as design of raised
Usage: Wide
medians can vary widely. They can range from narrow raised concrete islands to
tree-lined promenades to intensively landscaped boulevard medians. In
contrast to PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ISLAND (2.2.4), raised medians extend for most
or all of the street block.
35'
68'
8'
1721'
67" H
710'
4'
Raised medians can enhance pedestrian safety: Fifth Avenue at East 138th Street, Manhattan
79
2.2.3 Raised Median GEOMETRY: SIDEWALKS & RAISED MEDIANS
Application
Design
80
GEOMETRY: SIDEWALKS & RAISED MEDIANS 2.2.4 Pedestrian Safety Island
Safety Island separating traffic lanes or directions, particularly on wide roadways. Also
known as a median refuge island and Green Refuge Island. Used at
pedestrian crossings when a full R AISED MEDIA N is not feasible. A
Usage: Wide
pedestrian safety island confers most of the same benefits as full RAISED
MEDIANS at pedestrian crossings. Full RAISED MEDIANS should be used rather
than pedestrian safety islands wherever possible.
8'
6-8'
Island tip aligns
with curbs 35'
710'
ABOVE:Pedestrian safety island: Hillside
4' Corner Radius = 3' 67" H Avenue, Queens
Benefits Considerations
81
2.2.5 Median Barrier GEOMETRY: SIDEWALKS & RAISED MEDIANS
Median Barrier A R AISED MEDIA N or PEDES TRIA N SA FET Y ISL A ND extended through an
intersection to prevent left turns and through-movements to and from
Usage: Limited the intersecting street. Pedestrian access can be maintained with pedestrian
refuges and bicycle access with gaps in the median. As with typical RAISED
MEDIANS , trees or plantings can be included within the median barrier.
Benefits
82
2.0 Introduction
GEOMETRY Geometry 2.3 Traffic Calming
Traffic Calming
83
2.3.1 Lane Narrowing and Lane Removal GEOMETRY: TRAFFIC CALMING
CURB EXTENSION
Lane Narrowing & Lane Narrowings remove excess width from existing moving lanes without
Lane Removal changing the number of moving/traffic lanes. Lane Removals reassign
underused traffic lanes to other functions. These design techniques, while
not traffic-calming devices, have powerful traffic-calming benefits. Both may be
Usage: Wide
accomplished by adding markings, turning lanes, pedestrian refuge islands,
expanded pedestrian space, on-street or separated bicycle lanes, parking, or
other functions.
Benefits
Application
Multilane corridors with excess Lane narrowing and removal should be Design Guidelines
capacity (more traffic capacity than prioritized on corridors with safety or
Lane narrowings and removals should
traffic volume) are excellent speeding concerns, or where
result in standard-width lanes
candidates for lane removal prioritization of non-general traffic is
desirable When other treatments are included in
Multi-lane corridors may be good
a lane narrowing/removal, see specific
candidates for lane removal in concert
guidelines for those treatments
with other treatments, such as signal
timing changes
84
GEOMETRY: TRAFFIC CALMING 2.3.2 Raised Speed Reducer
Raised Speed A raised area of a roadway that deflects both the wheels and frame of a
Reducer traversing vehicle with the purpose of reducing vehicle speeds. The two
basic types of raised speed reducers are speed humps and speed tables. Both
are typically raised 3 to 4 inches above the level of the roadway, and both have a
Usage: Wide
proven speed-reducing track record in New York City. While a speed hump is
relatively short in length (e.g., 13 feet long), a speed table is longer (e.g., 22 to
30 feet long), with a flat section in the middle, sometimes including a RAISED
CROSSWALK (2.3.4). SPEED CUSHION (2.3.2a) are a variation of speed humps
designed to allow easier emergency vehicle, bus, or truck passage.
Benefits
Considerations
Must be requested by a community, The location can be investigated by While raised speed reducers (humps,
with approval based on a DOT field DOT for a Reduced School Speed tables, cushions) are an effective
study of the location using speed Zone if a speed reducer is not feasible method to retrofit existing streets to
survey, geometric, and street but the street has an 85th percentile reduce motor vehicle speeds in lieu of
operations criteria speed of 25 mph or higher and is near street reconstruction, all newly
an eligible school reconstructed streets should be
Avoid on streets that have any of the
comprehensively designed to achieve
following characteristics:
Design desired speeds, e.g., using
oo designated as local or through
appropriate roadway width and
truck routes Space raised speed reducers to
alignment, horizontal deflection,
oo on MTA bus routes, tour-bus routes, maintain desired operating speeds
traffic controls, trees, and other
or routes of any other bus operator
Appropriate warning signs and traffic calming treatments
oo emergency-vehicle response or
roadway markings should accompany
snow emergency routes Utilize recycled content in paving
raised speed reducers
oo Fire Department house located on materials
the block Locate raised speed reducers in the
oo more than one moving lane per middle of the roadway, with the
direction gutters kept clear for proper road
oo wider than 44 feet drainage
85
2.3.2a Raised Speed Reducer: Speed Cushion GEOMETRY: TRAFFIC CALMING
Speed Cushion Narrow speed humps that reduce traffic speeds without causing
vertical displacement of vehicles with wide wheel bases (trucks,
Usage: Pilot buses, and emergency vehicles). Wide vehicles can travel over speed
cushions at moderate speed after aligning properly, making them potentially
appropriate for use on streets with low- to moderate-frequency emergency,
truck, or bus routes.
Benefits
Application
Design
86
GEOMETRY: TRAFFIC CALMING 2.3.3 Gateway
87
2.3.4 Raised Crosswalk GEOMETRY: TRAFFIC CALMING
Benefits
Considerations
Raised crosswalk: Paris, France
May impact street drainage or require (Note: for illustrative purposes only)
catch basin relocation
Consider as a more robust option for
Attention should be given to
mid-block crossings
accommodation of and navigation by
people with vision disabilities Consider on the outer roadways of
multi-lane boulevards at crossings
Application
Avoid on arterial roadways
Existing stop-controlled crosswalks or
other locations where demand exists Design
for a stop-controlled pedestrian
Appropriate warning signs and
crossing that also meet the criteria for
roadway markings should accompany
RAISED SPEED REDUCERS (2.3.1)
raised crosswalk
Consider at areas of particularly high Raised crosswalk: London, United Kingdom
Use signage or other methods to alert (Note: for illustrative purposes only)
pedestrian crossing demand on
snow-clearing vehicle operators to the
narrower streets (maximum of two
presence of raised crosswalk Use enhanced, high-visibility street
moving lanes), such as locations with
materials to further draw attention to
pedestrian generators (e.g., major Detectable warning strips with high
raised crosswalk
commercial or cultural destinations, color contrast from sidewalk surface
transit entrances, parks) on opposite should be provided at crosswalk See design guidance for RAISED SPEED
sides of the street location REDUCERS (2.3.2)
Forces drivers to drive more slowly Consider on narrower, low-volume, The simplest and most basic approach
and with greater awareness, local streets (maximum of two moving to create a chicane is to alternate
particularly at mid-block locations lanes) with demonstrated speeding on-street parking (parallel or angled)
issues from one side to the other; in this case,
Can green and beautify the
CURB EXTENSIONS (2.2.2) at the
streetscape with trees and/or Avoid on bus routes, truck routes, and
beginning and end of each grouping of
vegetation, improving environmental major bicycle routes
parking
quality and potentially incorporating
stormwater source controls If utilizing CURB EXTENSIONS, see
CURB EXTENSION section for general
Considerations design considerations
May impact street drainage or require Use vertical elements to alert drivers
catch basin relocation and snow plow operators to presence
of chicanes
May impact underground utilities
Locate trees and/or plantings within
May require loss of curbside parking
chicane curb extensions when
Landscaping or stormwater source appropriate. See TREE BEDS (6.1) and
controls require a partner for ongoing ROADWAY PLANTINGS (6.2)
maintenance
Maximize permeable surface of
If outfitted to capture stormwater, chicane curb extensions
careful consideration must be given to
Where feasible, design planted areas
design, overflow control, and plant
within chicane curb extensions to
species
capture stormwater according to
May impact snow plows and street current standards. See STORMWATER
sweepers MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (6.6)
89
2.3.6 Neighborhood Traffic Circle GEOMETRY: TRAFFIC CALMING
Benefits
Neighborhood traffic circle with landscaping: Berkeley, California (Credit: John Allen)
Considerations (Note: for illustrative purposes only)
90
GEOMETRY: TRAFFIC CALMING 2.3.7 Roundabout
Benefits
When used in place of a stop- or Roundabout with public art in residential neighborhood: Delft, Netherlands
(Note: for illustrative purposes only)
signal-controlled intersection, may
reduce vehicle emissions and travel
times by reducing start-and-stop
driving
91
2.3.7 Roundabout GEOMETRY: TRAFFIC CALMING
May require increased spatial Intersections with 1) no more than Deflection should be created for
footprint for intersection, but not 8090% of volume on the main entering vehicles to reinforce yielding
approaches facility and 2) having at least three behavior; at two-way legs of the
approaches, high vehicle-turning intersection, use splitter islands to
May impact street drainage or require
volumes or percentages, or speeding provide deflection as well as to allow
catch basin relocation
issues pedestrians to cross in two segments
May impact underground utilities
Consider at locations with poor safety Detectable warning strips should be
May require loss of curbside parking records, or where signalization has led provided at all crosswalk locations
or may lead to operational issues for with high color contrast from the
Landscaping or stormwater source
pedestrians or bicyclists sidewalk surface
controls require a partner for ongoing
maintenance As a gateway treatment for low-speed Limit entry and exit speeds through
(25 mph speed limit or less) or SHARED deflection and/or raised crosswalks
If outfitted to capture stormwater,
STREETS (2.1.3)
careful consideration must be given to Curves should accommodate the
design, overflow control, and plant design vehicle; use an apron of
species textured paving around the central
island to slow motor vehicle
Attention should be given to
movements while accommodating
accommodation of and navigation by
larger vehicles such as trucks
people with vision and/or ambulatory
disabilities To improve center island visibility, use
reflective signs within the center
island and reflective paint on the curb
92
GEOMETRY: TRAFFIC CALMING 2.3.8 Raised Intersection
Raised An entire intersection raised above the level of the surrounding roadways.
Usage: Pilot
Vertical deflection at entry to Stop-controlled intersections with a Slope of entrance ramps for motorized
intersection encourages reduced high volume of pedestrian crossings traffic can be steep or shallow,
vehicle speeds and low target vehicle speeds (e.g., 25 depending on target speeds
mph or below)
Improves drivers awareness of Use enhanced, high-visibility street
presence of crossings Stop-controlled intersections with a materials to further draw attention to
history of pedestrian crashes or raised intersection
Visually turns intersection into a
speeding issues
pedestrian-oriented zone Minimize impervious paved areas and
Stop-controlled intersections where utilize permeable paving wherever
Enhances access for people with
enhancing pedestrian movement is a possible
disabilities
major goal, such as transit stops or
Increase SRI value of paved surfaces
commercial areas
Considerations to reduce urban heat island impact
Avoid on truck routes and at other
May impact street drainage or require Utilize recycled content in paving
locations where RAISED SPEED
catch basin relocation materials
REDUCERS (2.3.2) are not appropriate
Snow plows must be given advance Coordinate streetscape/utility work to
warning minimize street cuts
93
Materials 3.0 Introduction 98
3
3.3.1 Granite Paver 124
97
3.0 Introduction MATERIALS
Introduction
About this Chapter The review process for Distinctive
Standard
This chapter identifies materials sidewalk and curb materials is as
Standard materials are required
for sidewalks, curbs, and roadways follows:
for use in all contexts outside of
that are either approved citywide
historic districts, unless DOT and
standards or alternatives for specified 1. Adjacent property owner or
PDC approve a Distinctive
locations. jurisdictional organization submits
treatment. Projects utilizing the
proposal to DOTs Urban Design and
Standard materials in the
Applicability and Exceptions Art Unit at udau@dot.nyc.gov. The
identified contexts will generally
All projects that significantly impact submission usually comprises
only require a permit from DOT.
public and private streets should architectural drawings, site
follow these guidelines. DOT approval photographs, project descriptions,
DOT is responsible for the
will be based on site-specific and other supporting materials as
maintenance of roadways and
conditions and cost-effective necessary, and must meet at least one
crosswalks. As such, materials not
engineering standards and judgment of the following criteria:
listed here as Standard are rarely
based on the policies outlined in the
installed in these contexts.
Introduction to this Manual, with the oo Encompasses an entire block
safety of all street users being of oo Pertains to a streetscape project
paramount importance. oo Features a design integral to an
Distinctive
adjacent open plaza space, or
Any material not deemed
Usage Categories oo Is compatible with the prevailing
Standard by DOT will be
Materials are divided into four usage material on blocks adjacent to the
considered Distinctive and
categories: Standard, Distinctive, site for which it is proposed
requires review and approval by
Historic, and Pilot.
DOT and the New York City Public
2. DOT reviews the proposal for
Design Commission (PDC).
consistency with this Manual and for
Distinctive materials identified in
compliance with the criteria listed
this chapter are visually
above. If the proposal does not satisfy
appealing and are proven to be
these requirements, DOT may require
durable, and DOT encourages
design revisions or reject the
their use in certain
proposal. If the proposal is
circumstances.
acceptable, DOT submits it to PDC for
an initial review
All Distinctive sidewalk and curb
materials require a maintenance
3. PDC reviews the proposal for
agreement between DOT and the
its aesthetic impact on the
entity proposing the materials
streetscape and conformance with
(typically the adjacent property
the criteria listed above. PDC
owner(s) or a jurisdictional
strongly discourages proposals for
organization). Per Rules of the
piecemeal treatments. For more
City of New York Section 2-09(f)
information on the PDCs
(4)(xvi), all approved Distinctive
guidelines, visit their website at
materials must be replaced in
nyc.gov/designcommission
kind; however, any changes to
existing Distinctive materials
must be approved by DOT and
PDC prior to their
implementation.
98
MATERIALS 3.0 Introduction
99
3.1 Sidewalks MATERIALS
Sidewalks
See SIDEWALK (2.2.1) in the Furnishing zones are most Issues with pavement heaving due
Geometry chapter for more appropriate on streets with at least to tree root growth in limited soil
information about sidewalks. moderate levels of both pedestrian volume are common and expensive
and vehicle trafficusually to repair. Where feasible, use of
The furnishing zone is the area of commercial shopping streets. suspended pavement systems
the sidewalk usually immediately Furnishing zones are best used when should be considered. Suspended
adjacent to the curb where street applied to entire blocks or a series of pavement systems can be used with
trees, signs, above-ground utilities, blocks comprising a corridor, rather all of the sidewalk materials
and street furniture are typically than to sidewalks in front of featured in this section.
located (see Glossary). Furnishing individual small properties which
zones provide a physical buffer and would create a patchwork effect. All materials listed in this section
a visual transition between the Some materials in this chapter are may be used in PLAZAS (2.1.4) as well.
vehicles in the roadway and the exclusively for use in furnishing
pedestrians on the sidewalk, while zones; all sidewalk materials may be
also affording a clear area for used in furnishing zones.
organizing the various elements of
street furniture that might otherwise
appear cluttered. This area is
generally 5 feet wide, or as wide as
the tree pits along the blockface.
100
MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS 3.1.1 Unpigmented Concrete
Usage: Standard
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Design
Sustainability Opportunity:
Supplementary cementitious
materials (SCM)
101
3.1.2a Pigmented Concrete: Dark MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS
Concrete: Dark pigment for use in high-density commercial districts. This is one of three
kinds of pigmented concretesee also PIGMENTED CONCRETE: BLUES TONE
(3.1.2b) and PIGMENTED CONCRETE: GR A NITE (3.1.2c).
Usage: Standard*
* Standard only for commercial districts C4-4 through C4-7, C5, and C6,
as defined in the Zoning Resolution of the City of New York, per Section 2-09(f)
(4) of Title 34 of the Rules of the City of New York
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Design
Sustainability Opportunity:
Supplementary cementitious
materials (SCM)
102
MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS 3.1.2b Pigmented Concrete: Bluestone
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Bluestone pavers in the foreground and concrete pigmented to simulate the historic pavers in the
background: Hudson Street at Christopher Street, Manhattan
Appropriate, pending LPC review, in
historic districts as replacement of
bluestone that is beyond repair, per Design
LPC guidelines
See design guidance for
Appropriate, pending PDC review, in UNPIGMENTED CONCRETE (3.1.1)
historic, non-landmarked
Flag size and pigmenting to match
neighborhoods as replacement of
existing bluestone flags per LPC or
bluestone that is beyond repair, per
PDC guidelines
PDC guidelines
Specification source: DOT Standard
Adjacent property owners are
Specifications Section 4.13, item
generally responsible for maintaining Concrete pigmented to simulate bluestone
numbers 4.13 ABS (4-inch sidewalk) adjacent to a bluestone flag:
this material
and 4.13 BBS (7-inch sidewalk) Pacific Street, Brooklyn
Sustainability Opportunity:
Supplementary cementitious
materials (SCM)
103
3.1.2c Pigmented Concrete: Granite MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS
Concrete: Granite pigment to simulate granite slabs in historic districts, per LPC guidelines,
or in historic, non-landmarked neighborhoods, per PDC guidelines. This is
one of three kinds of pigmented concretesee also PIGMENTED CONCRETE:
Usage: Historic
DA RK (3.1.2a) and PIGMENTED CONCRETE : BLUES TONE (3.1.2b).
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Concrete pigmented to match adjacent granite: Greenwich Street at Barclay Street, Manhattan
Appropriate, pending LPC review, in
historic districts as replacement of Design
granite that is beyond repair, per LPC
See design guidance for
guidelines
UNPIGMENTED CONCRETE (3.1.1)
Appropriate, pending PDC review, in
Flag size and pigmenting to match
historic, non-landmarked
existing granite slabs per LPC or PDC
neighborhoods as replacement of
guidelines
granite that is beyond repair, per PDC
guidelines Specification source: DOT Standard
Specifications Section 4.13, item
Adjacent property owners are
numbers 4.13 ABS (4-inch sidewalk)
generally responsible for maintaining
and 4.13 BBS (7-inch sidewalk)
this material
Sustainability Opportunity:
Supplementary cementitious
materials (SCM)
104
MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS 3.1.2d Pigmented Concrete with Exposed Light-Colored Aggregate
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Because this is a Distinctive sidewalk Tinted concrete sidewalk with light-colored exposed aggregate (note: this example does not include
the required simulated saw-cut joint scoring pattern): East 42nd Street at Grand Central Terminal,
treatment, it is best used when
Manhattan
applied to entire blocks, rather than
to the sidewalks of individual small
Design
properties which would create a
patchwork effect See design guidance for PIGMENTED
CONCRETE: DARK (3.1.2a)
Use of this material generally requires
a maintenance agreement Aggregate: pebble-sized, light
in color
Sustainability Opportunity:
Supplementary cementitious
materials (SCM)
105
3.1.2e Pigmented Concrete with Silicon Carbide Treatment MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS
Concrete with districts, but treated with silicon carbide to add sparkle.
Silicon Carbide
Treatment
Usage: Distinctive
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Use of this material generally requires Pigmented concrete sidewalk with silicon carbide treatment, shown with non-standard flag size:
Hanover Square at Pearl Street, Manhattan
a maintenance agreement
Design
106
MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS 3.1.3 Sand-Colored Concrete with Exposed Aggregate
with Exposed
Aggregate
Usage: Distinctive
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Sustainability Opportunity:
Supplementary cementitious
materials (SCM)
107
3.1.4 Concrete with Exposed Glass Aggregate MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS
Concrete with Concrete into which select surface aggregates (such as colored glass or
Exposed Glass decorative pebbles) are embedded. Either cast in place or installed in the
form of precast unit pavers. This treatment is for use exclusively in the
Aggregate furnishing zone.
Usage: Distinctive
Benefits Design
108
MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS 3.1.6 Concrete with London Paver Scoring
London Paver
Scoring
Usage: Distinctive
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Design
Sustainability Opportunity:
Supplementary cementitious
materials (SCM) Concrete with London paver scoring: Washington, DC
109
3.1.7 Hexagonal Asphalt Paver MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS
Paver
Usage: Distinctive
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Hexagonal asphalt pavers are Hexagonal asphalt paver sidewalk: Columbus Avenue at West 66th Street, Manhattan
appropriate for sidewalks adjacent to
parks or plazas Design
110
MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS 3.1.8 Bluestone Flags
Bluestone Flag Historic stone unit paver with subtle variations in color, grain, and surface.
The preservation and in-kind replacement of bluestone flags are normally
Usage: Historic required in new construction projects within historic districts; the
installation of new bluestone flags is typically recommended in locations
adjacent to existing bluestone.
Benefits
Considerations
Vulnerable to breakage
Application
Joints: Hand-tight
111
3.1.9 Granite Slabs MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS
Granite Slab Historic stone paver, with varieties of color, texture, and veining. Can be
cut to extremely large sizes to span underground vaults. The preservation
and in-kind replacement of granite slabs are normally required in new
Usage: Historic
construction projects within historic districts; the installation of new
granite slabs is typically recommended in locations adjacent to existing
granite.
Benefits
Considerations
Application
112
MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS 3.1.10 Granite Block
Granite Block Historic smooth-finish granite block unit pavers often referred to as
cobblestones, commonly used throughout New York City in the
nineteenth century. This treatment is for use exclusively in the furnishing
Usage: Distinctive
zone.
Benefits
Considerations
Sustainability Opportunity:
Salvaged cobbles
113
3.1.11 Precast Square Paver MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS
Precast Square Precast, square asphalt or concrete pavers. This treatment is for use
Usage: Distinctive
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Furnishing zone
114
MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS 3.1.12 Permeable Interlocking Concrete Paver (PICP)
Permeable Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavers (PICPs) have voids at the joints
Concrete Paver *PICPs have been approved as standard for use on sidewalks at school locations
(PICP) in lieu of a planting strip. (See: Adopted Zoning Text Amendment 26-421,
adopted April 30, 2012.) In addition, PDC has approved this treatment for use
in the furnishing zone of city sidewalks. In all cases, PICPs are considered a
Usage: Distinctive*
distinctive material, and require a maintenance partner.
Benefits
Considerations
Porosity of the pavers can convey PICPs above a connected tree bed in Hudson Square, Manhattan (Credit: Hudson Square
Business Improvement District)
harmful chemicals into the soil
115
3.1.13 Porous Concrete MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS
Porous Concrete Concrete mixture using minimal cementitious paste to coat the
aggregate, and using little or no sand or fine aggregate, leaving
Usage: Pilot substantial void content. This allows water to pass through
to an open-graded reservoir underneath.
Benefits Application
116
MATERIALS: SIDEWALKS 3.1.14 Rubber Paver
Benefits
Considerations
117
3.2 Curbs MATERIALS
Curbs
118
MATERIALS: CURBS 3.2.1 Unpigmented Concrete
Concrete admixtures, smoothed and then allowed to harden, forming a solid curb.
Usage: Standard
119
3.2.2 Pigmented Concrete MATERIALS: CURBS
Concrete admixture to match the sidewalk. There are three types of pigmented
concrete: PIGMENTED CONCRETE: DA RK (3.1.2a), BLUES TONE (3.1.2b), and
GR A NITE (3.1.2c).
Usage: Standard
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Design
See design guidance and specification Typical pigmented concrete curb with steel facing: Beaver Street at Hanover Street, Manhattan
information for PIGMENTED CONCRETE
sidewalks (3.1.2a, 3.1.2b, and
3.1.2c)
Sustainability Opportunity:
Supplementary cementitious
materials (SCM)
120
MATERIALS: CURBS 3.2.3 Integral Concrete Curb and Gutter
Integral Concrete Concrete curb and gutter precast as single pieces and
Usage: Distinctive
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Flood-prone areas
Design
Sustainability Opportunity:
Supplementary cementitious
materials (SCM)
121
3.2.4 Granite MATERIALS: CURBS
Granite Granite cut to long sections and laid as curbing. Saw-finishing, achieved
by cutting the granite with a stone saw and polishing out saw marks,
Usage: Distinctive provides a smooth, clean look. Split finishing, typically achieved by
hand-chiseling, exposes the natural cleft of the stone, giving a rough-
hewn texture.
Benefits
Considerations
Split-finish granite curb shown with concrete Saw-finish granite curb shown with historic
Difficult to patch and must therefore sidewalk: Houston Street at LaGuardia Place, bluestone sidewalk: Madison Avenue at
be replaced by section if severely Manhattan East 51st Street, Manhattan
damaged
Design Specification source: DOT Standard
Much higher material cost than
Specifications Section 2.12, 4.07
concrete Size: 5 inches to 8 inches wide on top,
3 inches of minimum width on bottom, Saw-finish curb detail source: DOT
Application 16 inches deep Standard Detail drawing # H-1056
This material is appropriate for all Must have lip with batter and Split-finish curb detail source: DOT
streets, especially commercial rounded edge Standard Detail drawing # H-1056A
districts, including use in combination
Slip resistance at top of curb: Sustainability Opportunity: Salvaged
with concrete sidewalk
minimum 0.60 coefficient of friction granite curb
Granite curb is usually required in when wet
historic districts, adjacent to
individual landmarks, or in areas with
existing granite curb where the
historic fabric remains intact
122
MATERIALS 3.3 Crosswalks
Crosswalks
123
3.3.1 Granite Paver MATERIALS: CROSSWALKS
Granite Paver Stone unit pavers are known for durability and associated with high-
quality traditional streets.
Usage: Historic
Visually enhances crosswalk Crosswalks on historic streets or Crosswalks generally should comply
where distinction is desired and there with MUTCD standards
Creates accessible, smooth crossing
are low volumes of heavy vehicle
surface Paver size: minimum 4 inches for
traffic
shortest dimension, maximum
Considerations Should not be used where frequent 30 inches for longest dimension,
utility cuts are likely minimum 5-inch thickness for
Due to the possibility of pavers
vehicular roadbed
cracking or becoming uneven, and Use of this material generally requires
asphalt shoving at the borders, a maintenance agreement Pavers that have a ratio of length to
application requires attentive width greater than 2:1 should only be
maintenance used when set in poured concrete
because of the likelihood of breakage
Significantly higher cost than a
under heavy-vehicle traffic
standard asphalt crosswalk
Granite must have a textured surface
that provides sufficient slip resistance
to meet a minimum 0.60 coefficient of
friction when wet
124
MATERIALS 3.4 Roadways
Roadways
125
3.4.1 Asphaltic Concrete MATERIALS: ROADWAYS
Concrete and stone aggregate, usually laid on a concrete base and compacted by a
roller to form a smooth and solid road surface.
Usage: Standard
Benefits
Asphalt can be recycled Typical asphalt roadway: Delancey Street at Forsyth Street, Manhattan
Considerations Design
126
MATERIALS: ROADWAYS 3.4.2 Porous Asphalt
Porous Asphalt Asphaltic concrete in which the amount of fine particles is kept to a
minimum and in which the binder content is low, allowing water to pass
Usage: Pilot through into an open-graded reservoir.
Benefits
See considerations for ASPHALTIC Can be proposed for use in parking Minimum 3-inch-thick wearing course,
CONCRETE (3.4.1) lanes, parking lots, and recreational typically
paths
Not recommended for use where there Roadway should be crowned to drain
is water-sensitive sub-surface Most effective on slopes less stormwater from the road surface
infrastructure than 5%
Aggregate should be no smaller than
Only certain soil types are appropriate Must have adequate sub-surface 600 m, or the No. 30 sieve
as sub-bases for infiltration conditions to detain stormwater
Asphaltic cement should be
Porosity of pavement can convey Avoid stormwater hotspotssites 5.756.75% bituminous asphalt
harmful chemicals into the soil where there is high potential for soil content by weight
and groundwater contamination
Requires vacuuming of surface to Do not seal coat
restore permeability when clogged Not recommended for implementation
Typically, a 1230-inch open graded
over significant underground utility
Sand should not be applied to surface stone infiltration bed is recommended.
corridors
Bottom of infiltration bed should be at
Use of this material generally requires
least 2 feet above high water table and 2
a maintenance agreement
feet above bedrock
127
3.4.3 Concrete MATERIALS: ROADWAYS
Benefits
Considerations
128
MATERIALS: ROADWAYS 3.4.4 Granite Block
Granite Block Historic smooth-finish granite block unit pavers often referred to
as cobblestones, commonly used throughout New York City in the
Usage: Historic nineteenth century.
Reinforces historic character Should be used wherever there is Can be sand-set for easier installation
existing cobblestone in areas where and maintenance and for greater
Calms vehicle traffic
the historic fabric remains intact permeability, or mortar-set for
Can visually delineate separation of stronger structural properties
Use of this material is subject to LPC
street uses or modal priorities
review when used in historic districts May require concrete base
Cobblestones are relatively easy to with existing cobblestones
Provision must be made for a smooth
remove and reset, especially for utility
May be used to provide visual cycling surface, regardless of whether
access
delineation to separate bike lanes or not the roadway is part of a
from vehicle lanes or vehicle lanes designated bike route. DOT and DDC
Considerations
from pedestrian areas are finalizing a new specification for
Stones can become loose over achieving rideability
Can be used to designate areas of the
time and require intensive, regular
roadbed not intended for regular Specification source: DOT Standard
maintenance
vehicle travel, such as pedestrian Highway Specifications Section 2.06,
May generate significant noise from streets or textured gutters, aprons, 6.04
vehicle tires or medians
Sustainability Opportunity:
Uneven surface can hinder pedestrians, DOT generally maintains this material Salvaged cobbles
cyclists, and people with disabilities; in historic districts, but any third party
Sustainability Opportunity: Permeable
attention must be given to navigation that excavates it must restore it in
installation
by people with disabilities at kind or as directed by the
crosswalks Commissioner pursuant to Rules of
the City of New York, Title 34, Section
See GRANITE PAVER CROSSING (3.3.1)
2-11(e)(12)(vii)
Can be slippery when wet
Use of this material outside of historic
districts generally requires a
maintenance agreement
129
Lighting 4.0 Introduction 134
4 133
4.0 Introduction LIGHTING
Introduction
About this Chapter oo Streetlight Components
This chapter, which constitutes the A streetlight comprises three
current DOT Lighting Catalogue, elements: 1) the base (sometimes
outlines options for both new and with a skirt that covers the base,
replacement street and pedestrian for a desired appearance), 2) the
lighting for New York City streets, pole, and 3) the luminaire, made up
pedestrian bridges, walkways, of the lampi.e., the actual light
bikeways, plazas, and parks. sourceand the fixture, which
Streetlights currently installed on the houses the lamp. The desired
street but not included in this chapter aesthetic and engineering
are not permitted in new projects. The outcomes can be achieved by
streetlights herein meet DOT combining poles with a variety of
engineering standards and technical luminaires; acceptable pole-
requirements for safety and energy luminaire combinations and options
efficiency. Most are appropriate for for lamps are described in this
use in a variety of contexts, pending chapter.
DOT design review; however, with the
city's transition to LED streetlights, In some cases, poles, luminaires,
some luminaires, such as the Helm and bases are integral to the
and Stad, have been discontinued, streetlights. Such streetlights are
and will be reconsidered for use if called integrated streetlights.
LED lamps become available.
oo Energy Standards
Selection Criteria In order to reduce the city's energy
DOT uses guidelines established by use, DOT is phasing in LED lamps
the Illuminating Engineering Society for all streetlights and encourages
Standard poles can be painted black, brown,
or green, and combined with the Helm or of North America (IES) to provide the use of LED fixtures whenever
Stad luminaire. Such modifications are sufficient light intensity and available.
considered Standard but they typically require
a maintenance agreement: West 15th Street, uniformity in the ROW to produce a
Manhattan. comfortable and safe street oo Engineering Review
environment. In addition to lighting In all cases, the suitability of the
characteristics, the agency considers streetlight for particular street and
the design qualities of poles and lighting conditions must be
luminaires with an eye to maintaining approved by DOT engineers.
an aesthetically consistent and
coherent streetscape within each
neighborhood. As part of this effort,
the agency does not approve block-
by-block variations in types of
streetlights.
134
LIGHTING 4.0 Introduction
135
4.0 Introduction
Stad
Lighting Levels & Uniformity
DOTs lighting-levels and uniformity Teardrop
guidelines are based on those Shielded Teardrop
established by the IES Roadway
Lighting standard RP-8-14. The The table above illustrates what pole-luminaire combinations are
allowed, though the Helm and Stad luminaires are only eligible for in-kind
current edition of the Illuminating replacement. Integrated Streetlights are not included.
Engineering Society of North
Americas IESNA Lighting Handbook
should be referenced for applicable
values of illuminance, luminance,
contrast and glare criteria, and color
temperatures.
136
LIGHTING 4.0 Introduction
W Watts
137
4.1
4.1 Poles
Introduction LIGHTING
Poles
138
LIGHTING: POLES 4.1.1 Davit, Round, & Octagonal Poles
Davit, Round, & Each of the Standard poles, combined with the Standard LED Luminaire,
Octagonal Poles constitutes a Standard Streetlight. The Standard poles can also hold other
luminaires. The Davit is DOT's preferred Standard pole with the Round and
Octagonal used for in-kind replacement.
Usage: Standard
Applications
Streetlight Pole:
oo Streets and highways
oo Single and twin mounting
Pedestrian Pole:
oo Parks, plazas, esplanades,
pedestrian bridges, walkways, and
bikeways
Luminaires
Material/Color
Aluminum/silver (highway)
Cost Compared to SS
Octagonal pole with HPS Cobra Head luminaire: Pearl Street, Manhattan
139
4.1.1 Davit, Round, & Octagonal Poles LIGHTING: POLES
3'0"
3'0"
The Helm and Stad luminaires are
eligible for in-kind replacement, and
may be considered in the future if
versions with LED lamps become
available.
30'0"
30'0"
30'0"
22"
22"
22"
Davit Pole with HPS Round Pole with Octagonal Pole with
Cobra Head Luminaire Stad Luminaire Helm Luminaire
18'0"
16'0"
22"
22"
22"
140
LIGHTING: POLES 4.1.2 Flatbush Avenue Pole
Flatbush Avenue The Flatbush Avenue pole was first installed in 1988 on Flatbush Avenue
Pole in Brooklyn. Its post-modern design is appropriate for areas with historic
character.
Usage: Distinctive
Applications
Luminaires
Material/Color
Fabricated steel pole/black, brown, Flatbush pole and Historic Teardrop luminaire:
49th Street, Queens
and green
$$
30'0"
30'0"
141
4.1.3 TBTA Pole LIGHTING: POLES
TBTA Pole The TBTA (Triboro Bridge Tunnel Authority) pole was introduced in the
1950s for mid-twentieth-century bridge construction projects such as the
Robert F. Kennedy Bridge (formerly the Triboro Bridge). The TBTA replaced
Usage: Distinctive
wooden lamp posts that lit parkways during the 1920s and 30s. The
Teardrop and Shielded Teardrop luminaires combine with the TBTA pole to
produce a historic quality.
Applications
Streetlight Pole:
oo Commercial and residential streets
oo Single or twin mounting
oo Streets with roadway width of 36
feet or more
Pedestrian Pole:
oo Parks, plazas, esplanades,
pedestrian bridges, walkways, and
bikeways
Luminaires
Material/Color
Cost Compared to SS
$$$$$
TBTA pole with Historic Shielded Teardrop TBTA pole with Historic Shielded Teardrop
luminaires: 40th Street, Manhattan luminaire: Hudson River Park, Manhattan
142
LIGHTING: POLES 4.1.3 TBTA Pole
TBTA Pole The Teardrop (LED) and Shielded Teardrop (LED) are acceptable for combination with
with Various Luminaires the TBTA Pole. The Stad and Helm luminaires are eligible for in-kind replacement, and
may be considered for new applications if versions with LED lamps become available.
8'0" 8'0" 8'0" 8'0"
27' 0"
27' 0"
27'0"
27'0"
TBTA Pedestrian Pole The Teardrop (LED) and Shielded Teardrop (LED) are acceptable for combination with the
with Various Luminaires TBTA Pedestrian Pole. The Stad and Helm luminaires are eligible for in-kind replacement,
and may be considered for new applications if versions with LED lamps become available.
17'0"
17'0"
17'0"
143
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Luminaires LIGHTING
Luminaires
144
LIGHTING: LUMINAIRES 4.2.1 HPS Cobra Head
HPS Cobra Head The HPS Cobra Head luminaire is being phased out and replaced by the
Standard LED Luminaire, see STA N DA R D L ED LU MIN AIR E (4.2.2)
Usage: Discontinued
Applications
Lamp/Optics
Road:
oo 100W HPS, IES Type I
oo 150W HPS, IES Type II
Pedestrian:
oo 70W and 100W HPS, IES Type I
3'0"
30'0"
30'0"
30'0"
22"
22"
145
4.2.2 Standard LED Luminaire LIGHTING: LUMINAIRES
Standard LED DOT is phasing in the 110W and 78W Standard LED Luminaires for wide
Applications
Lamp/Optics
Residential Street:
oo 78W maximum LED
oo IES Type I
Pedestrian:
oo 75W maximum LED
oo IES Type II or III
Cost Compared to SS
Standard LED Luminaire on Flushing Standard LED Luminaire on green Park Pole: Central Park, Manhattan
Meadows Pole: Putnam Plaza, Brooklyn
146
LIGHTING: LUMINAIRES 4.2.3 Helm Luminaire
Helm Luminaire An LED Helm luminaire is not currently available. The Helm luminaire is no
longer permitted for new applications, but may be replaced in kind.
Applications
Lamp/Optics
Cost Compared to SS
$$$$$
147
4.2.3 Helm Luminaire LIGHTING: LUMINAIRES
3'0"
3'0"
are eligible for in-kind replacement,
and may be considered for new
applications if a version of the
luminaire using LED lamps becomes
available.
30'0"
30'0"
30'0"
22"
22"
22"
Davit Round Octagonal
27'0"
148
LIGHTING: LUMINAIRES 4.2.4 Stad Luminaire
Stad Luminaire An LED Stad luminaire is not currently available. The Stad luminaire is no
longer permitted for new applications, but may be replaced in kind.
Applications
Cost Compared to SS
3'0"
Standard poles are
provided and maintained
by DOT.
Stad luminaires on
standard poles are eligible
for in-kind replacement, are
eligible for in-kind
30'0"
30'0"
30'0"
22"
22"
149
4.2.4 Stad Luminaire LIGHTING: LUMINAIRES
30'0"
27'0"
18'0"
16'0"
22"
22"
22"
150
LIGHTING: LUMINAIRES 4.2.5 Teardrop & Shielded Teardrop Luminaires
Teardrop & The Teardrop and Shielded Teardrop luminaires are intended for use in
Shielded Teardrop historic districts and are allowed in areas with substantial, intact historic
fabric. DOT is replacing existing 250W HPS Teardrops and Shielded
Luminaires Teardrops with 150W and 100W LED versions of these luminaires.
Usage: Historic
Applications
Lamp/Optics
Cost Compared to SS
$$$$
LED Teardrop Luminaire
8'0" 8'0"
Teardrop
30'0"
27' 0"
26'3"
Shielded Teardrop
151
4.3
4.1 Integrated
Introduction
Streetlights LIGHTING
Integrated Streetlights
152
LIGHTING: INTEGRATED STREETLIGHTS 4.3.1 Alliance Luminaire & Pole
Alliance Luminaire The Alliance streetlight was originally introduced in Lower Manhattan
Applications
Commercial districts
Lamp/Optics
Material/Color
Cost Compared to SS
$$$$$
8'0'
Alliance luminaire and pole:
Murray Street, Manhattan 19'10"
25'0"
3'7'
153
4.3.2 Bishops Crook Luminaire & Pole LIGHTING: INTEGRATED STREETLIGHTS
Bishops Crook The Bishops Crook was the first of a number of decorative street lights to
Luminaire & Pole be introduced as early as 1900 on narrow city streets. Bracket versions of
the Bishops Crook were also attached to the facades of buildings. The
reproduction of the Bishops Crook was introduced in 1980 at Madison
Usage: Historic Avenue and 50th Street outside the Helmsley Palace Hotel (now the New
York Palace Hotel).
Applications
Lamp/Optics
Material/Color
Cost Compared to SS
$$$$$
154
LIGHTING: INTEGRATED STREETLIGHTS 4.3.3 City Light Luminaire & Pole
Luminaire & Pole for New York City was held in 2004. The City Light design was
selected as the winning entry. The City Light offers the most
contemporary look in DOTs lighting catalogue.
Usage: Distinctive
Applications
Lamp/Optics
Material/Color
Aluminum/silver
Cost Compared to SS
$$$
8'0"
29'-8"
155
4.3.4 Flushing Meadows Luminaire & Pole LIGHTING: INTEGRATED STREETLIGHTS
Flushing Meadows The Flushing Meadows integrated pedestrian light was first installed in
Luminaire & Pole 2004 by the Department of Parks and Recreation in Canarsie Park in
Brooklyn. The pole is now installed in many city parks, plazas, and along
walkways and bikeways. DOT is currently testing this pole with other
Usage: Distinctive luminaires for pedestrian plazas.
Applications
Lamp/Optics
75W LED
Material/Color
Cost Compared to SS
$$
12'0"
156
LIGHTING: INTEGRATED STREETLIGHTS 4.3.5 Type B Luminaire & Pole
Type B Luminaire The Type B integrated pedestrian light was originally introduced in 1911
& Pole by designer Henry Bacon for the Central Park Mall and later installed in
other city parks. This version of the fixture was developed in the late
twentieth century. Type B luminaires with HPS lamps are being phased out
Usage: Distinctive and replaced with LED luminaires. This pole is a more traditional design for
pedestrian areas such as parks and plazas.
Applications
Lamp/Optics
75W LED
IES Type V
Material/Color
Cost Compared to SS
$$
Type B luminaire and pole
with LED lamp
157
4.3.6 Type F Luminaire & Pole LIGHTING: INTEGRATED STREETLIGHTS
Type F Luminaire The Type F pole, originally known as the Reverse Scroll Bracket, was
& Pole developed in 1913 and installed on narrow streets downtown on Seventh
Avenue. Bracket versions of the Reverse Scroll were also attached to the
facades of buildings. The reproduction of the Reverse Scroll was
Usage: Historic introduced in the late twentieth century as the Type F pole.
Applications
Lamp/Optics
Material/Color
Cost Compared to SS
$$$$$
2'10"
158
LIGHTING: INTEGRATED STREETLIGHTS 4.3.7 Type M Luminaire & Pole
Type M Luminaire The Type M pole, originally known as the Mast-Arm post, was introduced in
& Pole 1908 for wide streets at corners on Broadway north of Columbus Circle
and on Seventh Avenue north of Central Park. Bracket versions of the
Mast-Arm were also attached to the facades of buildings. The
Usage: Historic reproduction of the Mast-Arm was introduced in the late twentieth
century as the Type M pole.
Applications
Lamp/Optics
Material/Color
Cost Compared to SS
$$$$$ 10'0"
159
4.3.8 Worlds Fair Luminaire & Pole LIGHTING: INTEGRATED STREETLIGHTS
Worlds Fair The Worlds Fair pedestrian light was first installed in 1964 during the
Luminaire & Pole Worlds Fair held in Flushing Meadows Park in Queens. The pole is now
installed in many city parks, in plazas, and along walkways and bikeways.
Usage: Distinctive
Applications
Lamp/Optics
75W LED
IES Type V
Material/Color
Cost Compared to SS
160
4.1 Introduction
LIGHTING 4.4 Signal Poles
LIGHTING
161
4.4.1 Type M-2A Signal Pole LIGHTING: SIGNAL POLES
Type M-2A Introduced in 1964 as the M-2, the octagonal M-2A traffic signal pole is
Signal Pole standard for use at all traffic signal locations. It can be mounted on a
9-inch concrete cylinder to provide necessary clearance or to avoid
moisture in the base. A 5-foot mast-arm extension can be used to bring
Usage: Standard the signal farther out over the roadway, if necessary.
With a 5-foot 6-inch shaft extension, the M-2A can be used to hold a
standard streetlight arm and a luminaire. It can also be made to resemble
nearby Bishops Crook, Type F, or Type M poles when paired with the Type M
skirt and a matching arm and luminaire.
Type M2A signal pole with HPS Cobra Head luminaire: Murray Street, Manhattan
162
LIGHTING: SIGNAL POLES 4.4.1 Type M-2A Signal Pole
Type M2A signal pole with Historic Bishops Crook arm: Foley Square, Manhattan
8'0"
5'6"
20'0"
29'3"
25'8"
15'3"
163
4.4.2 Type S-1A Signal Pole LIGHTING: SIGNAL POLES
Type S-1A Introduced as the S-1 in 1965, the round S-1A signal pole holds
Signal Pole pedestrian signals at corners where an M-2A signal pole or a light pole is
not necessary. It also holds traffic signals on medians and traffic islands.
Usage: Standard
Applications
Luminaires
Material/Color
Type S-1A signal pole with a pedestrian signal: Hoyt Street, Brooklyn
164
LIGHTING: SIGNAL POLES 4.4.3 Alliance Signal Pole
Alliance Signal The Alliance streetlights were introduced in the Lower Manhattan
Pole financial district by the Alliance for Downtown New York business
improvement district. The signal pole can be used as a contemporary
alternative to the standard M-2A signal pole in conjunction with nearby
Usage: Distinctive Alliance streetlights, but at an additional cost.
Applications
Intersections
Lamp/Optics
Material/Color
165
Furniture 5.0 Introduction
5.0.1 General Guidelines
170
171
5 169
5.0 Introduction FURNITURE
Introduction
170
FURNITURE 5.0.1 General Guidelines
General Guidelines
Clear Path Property Lines Universal Design
City regulations mandate that objects The metes and bounds of private Furniture should be designed to
on sidewalks leave an unobstructed properties, although clearly described accommodate as wide a range of
clear path. Revocable consent rules in deeds and other real property potential users as possible. Relevant
require that the greater of 8 feet or 50 documents, may not be consistent considerations include interface
percent of the sidewalk remain clear; with existing outdoor structures. As height, amount of force that must be
DOT sites bus shelters such that they such, property owners must applied, color schemes and level of
leave 7-foot clear paths, and determine the exact locations of their contrast with surrounding materials,
newsstands must allow 9.5-foot clear property lines before installing any and adjacent clear path.
paths. A clear path minimum of 5 feet outdoor furniture by consulting the
is required to ensure two wheelchair surveys provided to them upon Additionally, the city has begun
users are able to pass each other or purchase of their properties or by installing accessible water fountains
change direction. Most street retaining licensed surveyors to across the five boroughs, in order to
furniture should be placed 18 inches prepare such surveys. enhance the comfort and health of all
from the curb to allow for motor pedestrians using the public realm.
vehicle access. To accommodate Design
pedestrians with vision disabilities Light poles, signs, seating, bike racks, Security Structures
adequately, the lowest edge of any bus shelters, and other fixed elements Security structures are fixed objects,
ground-level protruding object should play a supporting role on New York such as bollards, installed around the
be a maximum of 2.25 feet above the City streets. Consistent design of perimeter of a building to reduce blast
sidewalk, and the lowest edge of any those varied elements is an important impacts from vehicle-born explosives.
suspended protruding object should consideration in their selection and A property owner who wishes to install
be a minimum height of 6.7 feet. siting. security structures must apply for a
revocable consent from DOT. The
Clutter Revocable Consents application is forwarded to the New
DOT generally discourages the The city grants a revocable consent to York City Police Departments (NYPD)
installation of street furniture and construct and use certain structures on, Counterterrorism Division, which
other permanent objects on streets over, or under its inalienable reviews security-related information
where they may restrict pedestrian propertyin this case, city roadways provided by the property owner. If the
circulation and degrade the visual and sidewalks. The city retains the NYPD determines that security
quality of the street. right to revoke this consent at any structures are necessary, it works
time. For more information on with the property owners architect/
City policy restricts the placement of revocable consents, visit www.nyc.gov/ engineer to develop a conceptual plan
movable planters on sidewalks. DOT html/dot/html/permits/revconif.shtml. of an effective security perimeter.
uses movable planters to delineate
pedestrian areas within the roadway, Resiliency DOT then works with the owner and
such as interim plazas or sidewalk Street furniture and other permanent architect/engineer to develop plans
extensions. objects should be constructed using that will provide the security
resilient materials that can withstand perimeter required by NYPD and will
periodic temporary inundation by fit in with all other structures that are
both fresh and salt water. already in, under, and above the
affected streets. DOT then
coordinates an expedited interagency
review of the plans. Plans are
reviewed on a case-by-case basis to
confirm that the structures are
necessary and effective, have a
minimum impact on pedestrian and
vehicular traffic, and are aesthetically
appropriate.
171
5.1 Art Display Case FURNITURE
Art Display Case DOT partners with local institutions to curate rotating, temporary
exhibits in plazas and on large sidewalks around the city.
Description
Siting
Installation
Art display cases are installed temporarily: Willoughby Plaza, Brooklyn
Suggestions for display sites can be
sent to arts@dot.nyc.gov
172
FURNITURE 5.2 Automatic Public Toilet (APT)
Automatic Public In response to the lack of public restrooms in New York City, Cemusa, the
Toilet (APT) Coordinated Street Furniture Franchisee, installs automatic public toilets
(APTs). These state-of-the-art facilities offer comfort, hygiene,
accessibility, and security to the public.
Description
Siting
173
5.3 Bike-Parking Shelter FURNITURE
Bike Parking Bicycle parking shelters enclose four stainless-steel bike racks. The
Shelter design closely resembles the BUS S TOP SHELTER (5.5), using the same
high-quality materials. The side panels display the annual NYC Bike Map
and public service campaigns.
Description
5 feet x 14 feetequivalent to the
regular size BUS STOP SHELTER (5.5)
Siting
Other Clearances:
oo 68 inches: sub-surface
oo 10 feet: fire hydrants, standpipes
oo 5 feet: tree trunks, canopies
oo 5 feet: tree pits, cellar doors
oo 3 feet: streetlights, traffic signal
poles
oo 2 feet: ventilation, street signs
Installation
174
FURNITURE 5.4 Bike-Share Station
Bike Share Station New York Citys bike share system provides access to a network
of public bicycles intended for short, one-way trips. By 2017, the
system will comprise 700 self-service docking stations for
12,000 bikes, available for use 24 hours a day throughout the
year. With a few exceptions, stations hold 15 to 59 bicycle docks.
Motivate will own, operate, and maintain the bike share system,
with oversight from DOT. The station design complements many
of the citys other street furniture elements.
Description
175
5.5 Bus-Stop Shelter FURNITURE
Bus Stop Shelter Bus stop shelters are part of the Coordinated Street Furniture Franchise
that was awarded to Cemusa, Inc., in 2006. The award-winning, stainless-
steel and glass design provides seating and protection for bus users.
Description
Siting
Other Clearances:
oo 68 inches: sub-surface
oo 10 feet: fire hydrants, standpipes
oo 5 feet: tree trunks, canopies
oo 5 feet: tree pits, cellar doors
oo 3 feet: streetlights, traffic signal
poles York Avenue at East 69th Street, Manhattan (Credit: Jennifer Yao)
oo 2 feet: ventilation, street signs
For More Information
Installation
To learn more about the Coordinated
Cemusa generally installs bus stop Street Furniture Franchise, call 311,
shelters at bus stops that meet visit nyc.gov/dot, or email
clearances, upon request and at streetfurniture@dot.nyc.gov
DOTs discretion
176
FURNITURE 5.6 CityBench
CityBench Through its CityBench program, DOT installs a standard street bench at
bus stops without shelters and in commercial areas to support transit use
and to encourage walking. In 2014, after analyzing feedback from a wide
range of users, DOT updated the design of the arm rests to enhance
usability for aging New Yorkers; the seat depth was also slightly
decreased to improve comfort. Structural enhancements include more
stable footings and a significant reduction in the number of separate
pieces, extending the bench's lifespan and reducing its unit cost.
Description
Update:
Siting
Benches adjacent and parallel to the Updated CityBench Design with more ergonomic arm rests and seat depth (Credit: Ignacio Ciocchini)
curb must be placed 1824 inches
from the curb Installation
A bench that is not anchored to the New Yorkers can request the bench at
sidewalk shall be placed against the nyc.gov/Citybench
building face during hours that the
DOT personnel installs CityBenches
benefited property is open to the
public and shall be stored inside the Outside of the CityBench program, a
building when the building is closed revocable consent is necessary to
install a bench on the sidewalk, and a
Minimum clear path: 8 feet
maintenance agreement is required
for benches installed in a plaza. For
complete regulations regarding
revocable consents, including siting
requirements, refer to Rules of the
City of New York, Title 34, Chapter 7
and on the web at:
www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/permits/
revconif.shtml
177
5.7 CityRack FURNITURE
CityRack DOT installs CityRacks on sidewalks and, through its Bike Corral program,
in clusters in the curbside lane of the roadway. In both cases, installations
are driven by requests from the general public and business and property
owners. The product of an international design competition held in 2009,
the CityRack has been recognized for its combination of function and
elegance, and has been added to the permanent collection of the
Madsonian Museum of Industrial Design.
178
FURNITURE 5.8 Mini CityRack
Mini CityRack DOT developed the Mini CityRack in 2011 to provide more bike parking
cost-effectively and to repurpose parking meter poles that are rendered
obsolete by new MuniMeters. The Mini CityRack will be the predominant
bike rack on sidewalks.
Description
Siting
Installation
Mini CityRack
179
5.9 Multirack FURNITURE
Description
Siting
Installation
180
FURNITURE 5.10 Newsstand
Newsstand Newsstands are part of the Coordinated Street Furniture Franchise. They
are fabricated from stainless steel and glass. The product displays can be
customized by each operator from a standard kit of parts. All existing
newsstands that were licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs
(DCA) as of July 13, 2006, will receive a replacement newsstand at no cost
to the licensee.
Description
5.10 Newsstand
Newsstands are available in nine
sizes:
oo 4 x 8 feet, 4 x 10 feet,
and 4 x 12 feet
oo 5 x 8 feet, 5 x 10 feet,
and 5 x 12 feet
oo 6 x 8 feet, 6 x 10 feet,
and 6 x 12 feet
Siting
Other Clearances:
oo 15 feet: subway entrances, curb
cuts
oo 10 feet: hydrants
oo 5 feet: tree beds, canopies 6th Avenue at 39th Street, Manhattan (Credit: Jennifer Yao)
oo 3 feet: streetlights, traffic signal
poles
oo 2 feet: street signs, manholes,
cellar doors, parking meters
Installation
181
5. 11 WalkNYC Wayfinding System FURNITURE
WalkNYC Walking accounts for 31% of all trips in the city and is a component of
Wayfinding nearly all travel by public transit and many car journeys. DOTs
comprehensive wayfinding system helps visitors and residents alike
System navigate the citys streets, further encouraging walking. In addition to the
Area, Path and Neighborhood signs, DOT is installing Select Bus Service
totems with real-time arrival information along current and future routes.
182
FURNITURE 5.12 Waste Receptacle
Waste Receptacle Among its other responsibilities, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
services over 25,000 waste receptacles known as baskets that are
placed on thoroughfares citywide. As part of the citys initiative to double
the recycling rate to 30 percent by 2017, DSNY has ordered new recycling
baskets that are consistent in design with other streetscape furniture.
These will reduce the number of regular trash baskets.
Siting
SponsoraBasket Program
For More Information Prototype of DSNY's new 44-gallon recycling receptacle. A 32-gallon version is also available
183
Landscape 6.0 Introduction
6.0.1 General Guidelines
188
190
6
6.6 Stormwater Management Practices 226
6.6.1 Stormwater Management Practices 228
a DEP ROW Bioswale 230
b Stormwater Greenstreet 232
Table 6f 234
187
6.0 Introduction LANDSCAPE
Introduction
About this Chapter
This chapter provides general
guidelines for the selection, design,
installation, and maintenance of
plantings in the public right-of-way
(ROW). It reflects current practices
and initiatives such as PlaNYC,
MillionTreesNYC, DOTs Plaza
Program, and DEPs Green
Infrastructure Plan.
188
LANDSCAPE 6.0 Introduction
189
6.0.1 General Guidelines LANDSCAPE
General Guidelines
Appropriate plant selection includes a diversity of species with year-round interest: Park Avenue and
97th Street, Manhattan (Credit: Lynden B. Miller)
190
LANDSCAPE 6.0.1 General Guidelines
Willow Oaks planted at the same time with different available soil volumes. Note that the trees on the left, which have more soil than the trees on the
right, are much larger: Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC (Credit: Urban Horticulture Institute, Cornell University)
191
6.0.1 General Guidelines LANDSCAPE
Brooklyn
Staten Island
DPR tracks ALB infestation and updates the quarantine map regularly. For more information, visit
http://www.nycgovparks.org/trees/beetle-alert (Credit: DPR)
Diseases and Pests destroy them by chipping or burning. State Department of Environmental
Diseases and pests can pose For more information, visit the USDAs Conservation. Pesticides may only
significant risks to plant health and Animal and Plant Health Inspection be applied by a NYSDEC Certified
survival. Plants should be selected Service webpage or the USDAs Commercial Pesticide Applicator or
that are resistant to common APHIS publication regarding ALB in under the direct supervision of
ailments, such as anthracnose (leaf New York. same. Additionally, pesticides
spot), or that can withstand applied to property owned or leased
outbreaks. EAB (Agrilus planipennis) is an by the city must comply with
invasive beetle that is destroying ash Chapter 12 of Title 17 of the
Several pests affect trees in New York populations across the Northeast and Administrative Code of the City of
City. The two most damaging are the Midwest. As such, ash tree species New York (Local Law 37 of 2005).
Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) and are no longer being permitted within Note that this law does not apply to
the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). ALB the city. private property. For more
(Anoplophora glabripennis) is an information on this law, visit the New
invasive beetle known to attack Application of pesticides (including York City Department of Health and
several species of trees. Currently the herbicides, insecticides, and Mental Hygiene webpage (a816-
only effective means to control the fungicides) is regulated by the healthpsi.nyc.gov/ll37) or call 311.
beetle is to remove infested trees and federal EPA as well as New York
192
LANDSCAPE 6.0.1 General Guidelines Dont
Just t
Ask N
Clearance Diagram
STREET TREE
DEP Tre
6' 8 fe
0' tren
dent
) 20-3 nt) 5'
sd epen dep ende Var
pecie ecies 4'
traffic sign
0' (s nd ent) (sp whe
min 3 epe
cies d
In n
e 2'
fire hydrant
5' (sp 7'
min 2 We
c. M
d. M
e. M
f. S
g. M
h. M
i. M
5-8' 6'
8' j. M
k. M
l. M
m.
n. A
o. T
b
p. D
Sid
GAS Ma
Gas
NYCT Sub
Wh
Bus
Exceptions may be approved by DOT
and DPR on a case-by-base basis but a Electric 10'
and expressways, the placement of directly over DEP water and sewer
trees and other plants has a direct mains and near steam lines.
bearing on safety and the cost of
No Trees in this Area
maintenance. Plants, excluding tree Trees and other plantings must not
35' or Greater
canopies, in the public ROW should block sight lines at intersections for
not infringe upon the roadway or drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. At
sidewalk beyond the planting bed. all intersections, trees and any plants
Ultimately, all plantings must follow that would naturally grow to greater
MUTCD, AASHTO, NYSDOT, DPR, than 2 feet in height must be placed no
and DOT design standards and closer than 35 feet from the curb of
guidelines. (See Clearance Diagram the intersecting street and in a manner
above.) that does not block the signal or stop
sign. (See Corner Clearance Diagram,
Careful consideration must be given right.) Trees on medians must be set
to above- and below-ground back 35 feet from the curb at the end
constraints; utilities, vaults, and other of the median.
193
6.0.1 General Guidelines LANDSCAPE
Include DPR's Certified Arborist (CA) CA to identify potential CA to advise and Tree protection
Borough Forestry to inventory and assess tree impacts and review designs for implemented and
Office in the Scope all trees within and necessary tree potential tree impacts enforced by DPR's
review to consider immediately adjacent removals Borough Forestry
potential impacts to to project limit lines CA to advise and Office and/or CA
trees in siting project All tree removals must develop tree protection
scope be approved by DPR's plan CA to perform initial
Borough Forestry inspection and
Office 50% and 90% approval of installed
construction tree protection
documents reviewed measures
by DPR's Borough
Forestry Office CA to supervise all
work within and
immediately adjacent
to Tree Protection
Areas
194
LANDSCAPE 6.0.1 General Guidelines
1 2 3
Tree Stem
DBH: Diameter at Breast Height
(measured 4.5' above ground)
195
6.0.1 General Guidelines LANDSCAPE
Carefully remove
pavement in
large pieces
Preserve and
re-use sub-bases
mat/plate
wood chips
Sub-base
Prune roots
before excavating
196
LANDSCAPE 6.0.1 General Guidelines
Plant Installation
All plants must be installed per DOT
and/or DPR standards. See DPRs
Planting Specification Checklist. In
addition, contact DigNet or call 811
prior to installation to identify utilities
and have them field-verified by proper
authorities. The optimal time for
planting trees, shrubs, and perennials
is during the spring and fall, with some
trees restricted to spring planting
only. In New York City, this
corresponds generally to March
1May 31, and October 1December
31, weather permitting. No plants
should be installed once the ground
has frozen.
Period of Establishment
Newly installed plants require
Combinations of plantings create interesting contrasts of texture and color: New York Botanical
consistent maintenance throughout Garden, Bronx (Credit: Lynden B. Miller)
the growing season in order to
Maintenance resistant, compete well, and have the
become established and thrive.
Site design and species selection appropriate form at maturity will
Establishment periods vary, but under
should correspond to the anticipated reduce maintenance needs.
a DPR planting permit, the installer is
level of maintenance a planting will
required to water and provide regular
receive following installation. Planting
care for the first two years.
areas should be designed to provide
sufficient space for personnel to
maintain them. Such design
Another strategy to promote
considerations may include, among
successful establishment of plants
other things, paths within or
is to include a progress payment
surrounding the planting areas. The
schedule as part of the landscape
frequency of available maintenance
portion of the contract. This is a
and skill levels of those providing
mechanism whereby the landscape
maintenance are important
portion of the contract is paid in DOTs Adopt-a-Highway program provides
considerations that must be opportunities for enhanced plantings and
installments throughout the period maintenance along limited-access arterials: Belt
addressed during design.
of establishment only when the Parkway and East 12th Street, Brooklyn
contractor performs required tasks
Maintenance should include an
such as watering. This incentivizes
appropriate level of watering,
the contractor to perform regular
weeding, pruning, cultivating, and
maintenance instead of just
waste removal. Repair of minor
replacing plants that have died at
washouts, mulching, soil replacement,
the end of the establishment period.
plant replacement and other
horticultural operations may also be
necessary. Any existing invasive
plants that cannot be removed or
outbreaks of new invasive species will
have to be managed through ongoing
maintenance. Selecting plants that
are drought tolerant, are disease
197
6.1 Tree Beds LANDSCAPE
Tree Beds
198
LANDSCAPE: TREE BEDS 6.1.1 Tree Bed
Tree Bed Excavated pits that allow for the planting of street trees and other
vegetation within the public ROW. This is a standard treatment that DPR
installs and maintains. Other entities are also encouraged to pursue this
treatment but require a permit from DOT and DPR.
Tree beds are used extensively all over the city and should be used
wherever sidewalks exist if conditions allow. INDIVIDUA L TREE BEDS
(6.1.1a) are currently the only required design, however CONNEC TED TREE
BEDS (6.1.1b) should be used wherever possible to provide improved tree
health, and DEP ROW BIOSWA L ES (6.6.1a)those that take water from the
roadwayshould be considered wherever DEP Priority CSO Tributary
Areas are affected.
Benefits
Considerations
Street trees along a sidewalk. Spacing is dependent on species. The open tree beds allow for water
and air to get to the tree roots: Post Avenue, Manhattan (Credit: DPR)
199
6.1.1 Tree Bed LANDSCAPE:TREE BEDS
Design
200
LANDSCAPE: TREE BEDS 6.1.1a Tree Bed: Individual Tree Bed
TREE BED
Individual A tree bed within a sidewalk, median, triangle, or plaza, disconnected from
Tree Bed other tree beds, where a tree is planted. This is a standard treatment that
will be installed and maintained by the city.
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Design
201
6.1.1b Tree Bed: Connected Tree Bed LANDSCAPE: TREE BEDS
TREE BED
Tree Bed provide increased root space and stormwater detention. This is a
standard treatment that will be installed and maintained by the city.
Benefits
Considerations
Application
Consider RIBBON SIDEWALK (2.2.1b) Connected tree beds with permeable-paver-covered trench: Columbia Street, Brooklyn (Credit: DPR)
202
LANDSCAPE: TREE BEDS 6.1 Planting Recommendations
TABLE 6A
Tree-Bed Planting The DPR list of approved street trees can be found on its website. Tree
Grasses/Grass-like Plants
Miscanthus sinensis Little Kitten
Little Kitten Eulalia Grass 1"-3" 1'-1.5' au g
f eb
Festuca glauca Elijah Blue
Elijah Blue Fescue
.5'-1' 1' jun
jul
Carex morrowii Ice Dance
Ice Dance Sedge
.5'-1' 1'-2' apr
jun
Perennials
Echinacea purpurea Magnus
PowWow Wildberry Coneflower
2'-2.5' 1'-1.5' jun
s ep
Heuchera villosa Miracle
Miracle Coral Bells
1'-1.5' 1' jul
Hosta sieboldiana Frances Williams
Frances Williams Hosta
2' 3'-4' jul
Lysimachia nummularia Goldilocks
Goldilocks Creeping Jenny
4" 1'-3' jun
jul
Phlox subulata Red Wings
Red Wings Creeping Phlox
6" 2'-3' m ay
Rudbeckia City Garden
City Garden Black-Eyed Susan
.5'-1' 1'-1.5' jun
s ep
Sedum Abbeydore
Abbeydore Stonecrop
1.5' au g
n ov
Tiarella cordifolia Brandywine
Foam Flower
1'-1.5' 1'-2' m ay
Bulbs
Chionodoxa forbesii Pink Giant
Pink Giant Glory of the Snow 6"-9" 3"-6" mar
Crocus vernus
Dutch Crocus
6" 4"-6" mar
apr
Galanthus elwesii f eb
Giant Snowdrop
9" 6" mar
Narcissus Mondragon
Mondragon Daffodil
1'-1.5' .5'-1' mar
apr
*Fall Dig Hazard ^ALB Host Species Bloom/Showy Flowers Showy Fruit Distinct Foliage Fall Color Distinctive Bark Evergreen
203
6.2 Roadway Plantings LANDSCAPE
Roadway Plantings
204
LANDSCAPE: ROADWAY PLANTINGS 6.2.1 Raised Median
Raised Median A R AISED MEDIA N (2.2.3) that provides an opportunity for planting.
Medians can be 67 inches high (at curb height) or 1224 inches high
to provide additional growing medium as well as increased
protection. Medians allow for various types of plantings due to their
different sizes and lengths. Trees are typical; however, careful
consideration must be given to the sight lines of drivers, cyclists,
and pedestrians. DPR maintains many existing median plantings,
pursuant to the Greenstreets agreement between DPR and DOT.
Benefits
Considerations
205
6.2.1 Raised Median LANDSCAPE: ROADWAY PLANTINGS
Curb-height median with tree beds. Select narrow species where there is limited space for canopies: Richmond Terrace and Nicholas
Street, Staten Island (Credit: DPR)
206
LANDSCAPE: ROADWAY PLANTINGS 6.2.1a Raised Median: Curb Height
RAISED MEDIAN
Curb Height A median that is raised 67 inches above the roadbed and provides
adequate width to allow for plantings. R AISED MEDIA N (CURB HEIGHT ) are
utilized throughout the city. Trees and other ornamental plantings add to
the traffic-calming effect provided by medians.
Benefits
Considerations
Design
Plants
Curb-height median with plantings set back from the curb to allow for easier maintenance: Merrick
Boulevard, Queens (Credit: DPR)
207
6.2.1b Raised Median: 1224 inches LANDSCAPE: ROADWAY PLANTINGS
RAISED MEDIAN
1224 Inches A median, typically constructed of concrete or stone, 1224 inches above
the roadbed that provides above-ground soil volume for plantings.
Generally employed where underground constraints prevent planting at
grade and/or along high-speed roadways.
Raising medians to over 12 inches helps Planted raised median: Canal Street, Manhattan (Credit: DPR)
accommodate tree roots: West Houston Street,
Manhattan (Credit: DPR)
208
LANDSCAPE: ROADWAY PLANTINGS 6.2.1c Raised Median: Pedestrian Mall
RAISED MEDIAN
Pedestrian Mall A wide median that allows for pedestrian use and circulation in addition to
plantings. Pedestrian malls, like the Allen Street Malls or the Park Avenue
Mall at East 97th Street in Manhattan, provide a safe area for pedestrian
use within the roadway. Typically, these malls are DPR property and are
maintained by DPR or by neighborhood groups through a maintenance
agreement.
Left: The same pedestrian mall in the summer, with plantings that provide shade while maintaining
visual interest: Park Avenue and 97th Street, Manhattan (Credit: Lynden B. Miller)
Benefits Design
See benefits for RAISED MEDIAN See design guidance for RAISED
(6.2.1) MEDIAN (6.2.1)
Plants
209
6.2.2 Triangles LANDSCAPE: ROADWAY PLANTINGS
Triangle A planted area of any size and shape, not just a triangle, within the public
ROW that generally separates and/or channelizes traffic. Typically,
existing planted triangles are maintained by DPR (through the
Greenstreets agreement between DOT and DPR) or another entity, such
as a neighborhood group through a maintenance agreement.
Benefits
Considerations
Design
Where planting trees, see design Planted triangle. Shorter plants are located near Planted triangle: Flushing Avenue and 59th
the edge to maintain sightlines: Macombs Road Street, Queens (Credit: DPR)
guidance for TREE BED (6.1.1) and Grand Avenue, Bronx (Credit: DPR)
210
LANDSCAPE: ROADWAY PLANTINGS 6.2.3 Street End
Street End The public space at the end of a street abutting a boardwalk or body of
water. Pedestrian access to the waterfront or boardwalk must be
maintained. In some cases, such as street ends in Greenpoint and
Williamsburg in Brooklyn, the area is subject to a Waterfront Access Plan
(WAP). This plan is created by DCP and outlines specific concerns
regarding design, access, and maintenance.
Benefits
Considerations
If DPR will not maintain plantings, a Street closures can create opportunities for plantings: 73rd Avenue, Queens
maintenance agreement will be
required
Design
211
6.2 Planting Recommendations LANDSCAPE: ROADWAY PLANTINGS
TABLE 6B
Roadway Planting Trees, shrubs, groundcovers, perennials, and other vegetation located
Recommendations within the roadbed of a street. Generally, plantings are installed within
raised medians or triangles that separate or channelize traffic. This list is
not comprehensive and there is no guarantee that these plants will
survive at a specific site. All plants within the public ROW must be
selected based on site-specific conditions and approved by DPR.
Shrubs Spread
*Fall Dig Hazard ^ALB Host Species Bloom/Showy Flowers Showy Fruit Distinct Foliage Fall Color Distinctive Bark Evergreen
212
LANDSCAPE 6.3 Sidewalk Plantings
Sidewalk Plantings
213
6.3.1 Full Sidewalk LANDSCAPE: SIDEWALK PLANTINGS
Full Sidewalk Any planting within the furnishing zone of a FULL SIDEWA LK (2.2.1a); may
include street trees, ornamental plantings, stormwater plantings, or
other types of vegetation. Street trees should be planted wherever
possible. While DPR is responsible for the maintenance of the citys street
trees, other ornamental plantings, such as tree bed plantings, are
encouraged but will require a maintenance agreement. DEP ROW
BIOSWA L ES (6.6.1a) are generally installed on sidewalks in DEP Priority
CSO Tributary Areas to capture stormwater runoff from the roadway
where conditions are appropriate.
Benefits
Considerations
Design
214
LANDSCAPE: SIDEWALK PLANTINGS 6.3.2 Ribbon Sidewalk
Ribbon Sidewalk RIBBON SIDEWA L KS allow for planting along the curb. They typically occur
in more residential areas with low-volume pedestrian traffic. The planting
strip generally consists of trees and turfgrass, but can also provide an
opportunity for enhanced ornamental plantings.
Ribbon sidewalk with turf grass and trees. Trees can be very large due to expanded rooting area Ribbon sidewalk with lawn planting strip and
afforded by adjacent lawns: Bancroft Avenue at Edison Street, Staten Island (Credit: DPR) trees. This configuration is common in lower-
density residential areas and generally supports
larger trees: Ocean Parkway at
Avenue C, Brooklyn
See BENEFITS OF PLANTINGS IN THE See GENERAL GUIDELINES (6.0.1) See design guidance for TREE BED
ROW (6.0) (6.1.1)
May impact underground or overhead
utilities Groundcover other than turfgrass is
permitted as long as adequate access
Consider environmental and physical
every 20 feet via walkable vegetation
stresses plants must withstand,
or another accessible surface is
including drought/inundation, sun/
provided from the roadway
shade, heat/cold, wind, compaction,
garbage, and animal damage Consider the capture of stormwater
runoff. See STORMWATER
Planting strips adjacent to ribbon
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (6.6.1)
sidewalks must be planted with
groundcover vegetation for erosion Select low-growing plants that will
control if a STORMWATER MANAGEMENT have year-round ornamental interest
PRACTICE (6.6.1) solution is not used
Plants
The adjacent property owner or other
maintenance partner is responsible See Sidewalk Planting
for maintenance of any plantings other Recommendations (Table 6C)
than trees
215
6.3.3 Curb Extension LANDSCAPE: SIDEWALK PLANTINGS
Benefits
Considerations
Design
Curb extension with Greenstreet: Greenwich and Christopher Streets, Manhattan
See design guidance for CURB
EXTENSION (6.2.1)
Plants Curb extension with Greenstreet: West 11th Street at Seventh Avenue South, Manhattan
216
LANDSCAPE: SIDEWALK PLANTINGS 6.3 Planting Recommendations
TABLE 6C
Sidewalk Planting Trees, shrubs, groundcovers, perennials, and other vegetation located on
Recommendations the sidewalk. Generally, plantings are located within the sidewalk
furnishing zone; see SIDEWA L KS (3.1). This list is intended for wide
sidewalks and curb extensions that have ample room for planting. For a
small sample of plantings acceptable in tree beds, see TREE BEDS (6.1).
This list is not comprehensive and there is no guarantee that these plants
will survive at a specific site. All plants within the public ROW must be
selected based on site-specific conditions and approved by DPR.
Shrubs Spread
Perennials
Achillea millefolium Pretty Belinda
Pretty Belinda Fernleaf Yarrow
1'-2' 1.5' jun
jul
Euphorbia Ascot Rainbow
Ascot Rainbow Variegated Spurge
1.5'-2' 1.5' jun
Nepeta x faassenii Kit Cat
Kit Cat Catmint
1.5' 1'-2' m ay
s ep
Nipponanthemum nipponicum
Montauk Daisy
2'-3' 2'-3' au g
s ep
Bulbs
Allium christophii
Star of Persia
1'-2' .5'-1.5' m ay
*Fall Dig Hazard ^ALB Host Species Bloom/Showy Flowers Showy Fruit Distinct Foliage Fall Color Distinctive Bark Evergreen
217
6.4 Plaza Plantings LANDSCAPE
Plaza Plantings
See PLAZA (2.1.4) and PERMANENT PLAZA (2.1.4a) for more information on general plaza design.
218
LANDSCAPE: PLAZA PLANTINGS 6.4.1 In-Ground Planting Area
In-Ground Planting Planting areas within plazas that are level with the surrounding grade. The
Area size and shape of the area may vary, and it is typically employed where
there are few underground constraints.
Benefits
Considerations
219
6.4.2 Raised Planting Area LANDSCAPE: PLAZA PLANTINGS
Raised Planting Any planting area within a plaza that is raised above grade. The size and
Area shape of the area may vary from site to site and is typically employed
where there are underground constraints. The majority of the soil volume
is contained within the above-ground structure.
Benefits
Considerations
220
LANDSCAPE: PLAZA PLANTINGS 6.4 Planting Recommendations
TABLE 6D
Plaza Planting The following list provides a small sampling of plants that have been
Recommendations
successfully employed in plazas within NYC. This list is not comprehensive
and there is no guarantee that these plants will surive at a specific site. All
plants within the public ROW must be selected based on site specific
conditions and approved by DPR.
*Fall Dig Hazard ^ALB Host Species Bloom/Showy Flowers Showy Fruit Distinct Foliage Fall Color Distinctive Bark Evergreen
221
6.5 Limited-Access Arterial Plantings LANDSCAPE
Limited-Access
Arterial Plantings
Landscapes along limited-access arterial highways
feature shade and evergreen trees, understory plantings,
and turf grass to provide a green buffer for adjacent
communities and enhance the natural environment. These
areas are typically much larger and allow for a greater diversity
of plants than is possible elsewhere. However, irrigation is
rarely provided, and plants must tolerate other urban stresses
such as wind and salt.
222
LANDSCAPE: LIMITED-ACCESS ARTERIAL PLANTINGS 6.5.1 Limited-Access Arterial Plantings
Benefits
Considerations
223
6.5.1 Limited-Access Arterial Plantings LANDSCAPE: LIMITED-ACCESS ARTERIAL PLANTINGS
Limited-access arterial with various tree species: Hutchinson River Parkway, Bronx
Soil can be highly variable in texture, Design A good highway plant palette includes
pH, and depth; compaction is typical hardy species known to thrive and
Limited-access arterial highways
and can greatly suppress root growth other plants for diversity and interest
without curbside safety barriers must
as well as cause drainage problems
maintain 30-foot clear zones Asphalt mow strips are required
Plants must be able to tolerate various (recovery zones) on either side. around and under objects that mowers
stresses such as reflected heat, salt, Access ramps must have clear zones cannot pass over
drought, wind, and competition from measuring at least 15 feet on either
Incorporate STORMWATER
invasive plants side. All clear zones must be approved
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (6.6.1)
by DOT
Plants known to be susceptible to where appropriate. Generally,
insect or disease problems should not A minimum of 10 feet behind any restrictions on space do not apply, so
be used safety barrier should be clear of trees such infrastructure can be much
and other fixed objects larger
The Port Authority of New York and
New Jersey prohibits plants with fruit Arterial landscapes are usually viewed Mulch around trees, without covering
that attracts birds near the airports by highway users at fast speeds. Plant the root flare or trunk, to reduce
large swathes of fewer types of damage from tractor mowers and
Any plantings not maintained by DOT
species greatly improve tree health
or DPR will require a maintenance
agreement; consider DOTs Large-growing shade trees should be
Plants
Adopt-a-Highway program for spaced to promote maximum growth,
enhanced maintenance typical form, and sturdy structure; See Limited-Access Planting
interplant large trees with smaller Recommendations (Table 6E)
understory trees and/or shrubs to
increase the density of plantings
224
LANDSCAPE: LIMITED-ACCESS ARTERIAL PLANTINGS 6.5 Planting Recommendations
TABLE 6E
Limited-Access The following are plants that have been successfully employed along
limited-access arterial roadways. This list is not comprehensive and there
Arterial Planting is no guarantee that these plants will survive at a specific site. All plants
Recommendations within the public ROW must be selected based on site-specific conditions
and approved by DOT and DPR. In cases where NYS DOT has jurisdiction,
NYS DOT must also approve the plants and overall design.
Viburnum rhytidophyllum *
Leatherleaf Viburnum
6'-10' 6'-10' apr
Forsythia x intermedia cultivars
Border Forsythia
8'-10' 10'-12' apr
Myrica pensylvanica
Northern Bayberry
5'-10' 5'-10'
Cornus racemosa
Gray Dogwood
10'-15' 10'-15' m ay
jun
Lonicera fragrantissima
Winter Honeysuckle
6'-10' 6'-10' mar
apr
Self-Clinging Vines
Parthenocissus tricuspidata
Boston Ivy
30'-50' 5'-10'
Turf Grass
Festuca arundinacea cultivars
Turf-type Tall Fescue Grass 3"-4" 3"-4"
Lolium perenne cultivars
Turf-type Perennial Rye Grass 3"-4" 3"-4"
*Fall Dig Hazard ^ALB Host Species Bloom/Showy Flowers Showy Fruit Distinct Foliage Fall Color Distinctive Bark Evergreen
225
6.6 Stormwater Management Practices LANDSCAPE
Stormwater Management
Practices
226
LANDSCAPE: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 6.6 Stormwater Management Practices
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES (6.6.1) describe general
considerations and design principles
typical of a green stormwater solution.
These treatments can be employed
citywide, where appropriate
conditions allow.
Important Terms
(NYS Stormwater Design Manual)
oo Detention: The temporary storage
of storm runoff in a stormwater
management practice with the
goals of controlling peak discharge
rates and providing gravity settling
of pollutants
(Credit DEP)
oo Retention: The amount of
precipitation on a drainage area that
does not escape as runoff.
It is the difference between total
precipitation and total runoff
227
6.6.1 Stormwater Management Practices LANDSCAPE: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Stormwater Any area, typically planted, that is specifically designed to capture and
Management treat stormwater runoff from the Right-of-Way (ROW). The primary purpose
of these treatments is to reduce stress on the citys combined sewer
Practices infrastructure during rain storms. Practices can range from a single tree
bed to a bioswale to a rain garden in a triangle or plaza. ROW green
infrastructure practices include ROW Bioswales, ROW Stormwater
Greenstreets, ROW Rain Gardens, ROW Greenstrips, ROW Permeable
Pavement, and ROW Infiltration Basins.
Benefits
Inlet design directs stormwater into DEP ROW Bioswale: Dean Street and 4th Avenue, Brooklyn
(Credit: DEP)
DEP ROW Stormwater Greenstreet constructed in the roadway, modifying the street geometry:
Powell Street and Belmont Avenue, Brooklyn (Credit: DEP)
228
LANDSCAPE: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 6.6.1 Stormwater Management Practices
229
6.6.1a DEP ROW Bioswale LANDSCAPE: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
DEP ROW Bioswale The most common type of Stormwater Management Practice, a DEP ROW
Bioswale is a planted area located along the curb of a sidewalk, graded to
capture stormwater, and planted with an understory of shrubs and
herbaceous material. Curb cuts allow for stormwater from the adjacent
roadway to enter the planted area and overflow to exit. DEP, together with
DOT, DPR, and DDC, developed designs and protocols to site stormwater
bioswales within the public ROW. The city will build and maintain DEP ROW
BIOSWA L ES within DEP Priority CSO Tributary Areas, which are areas
where CSO volumes are high, combined sewers frequently overflow, and
the receiving water bodies need water quality improvements. See DEP
Priority CSO Tributary Areas map.
Benefits Application
Considerations Design
See considerations for STORMWATER DEP ROW BIOSWALES should follow all
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (6.6.1) DEP, DPR, and DOT bioswale siting
criteria
See considerations for TREE BEDS
(6.1.1) Maintain an 8-foot clear path in areas
of high-volume pedestrian traffic or
Consider parking regulations;
heavy curbside activity and a 5-foot
curbside access must be preserved
clear path in areas of low-volume
Consider subsurface conditions pedestrian traffic
The underlying soils should have Install just upstream from existing
adequate infiltration rates catch basins to optimize stormwater
capture prior to entering the combined
Bedrock or groundwater level should
sewer system
be a minimum of 4 feet from the
bottom of any DEP ROW Bioswale Soil and design specifications must
adhere to DEP standards
Plants should tolerate salts,
sediment, contamination, and highly Deviations from the latest DEP
variable levels of water Standards for Green Infrastructure
must be reviewed and approved by
DEP, per the three party agreement,
DOT, DPR, and DEP on a case-by-
will install DEP ROW BIOSWALES within
case basis
Priority CSO Tributary Areas
Use of 12 inches of open-graded
DEP ROW BIOSWALES may be installed
stone located along the curb serves as
outside of DEP priority areas but will
a buffer from the roadway and
require a maintenance agreement
increases infiltration and sediment
capture
230
LANDSCAPE: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 6.6.1a DEP ROW Bioswale
Plants
Stormwater entering DEP ROW Bioswale through inlet and overflow exiting from outlet:
Dean Street and 4th Avenue, Brooklyn (Credit: DEP)
231
6.6.1b Stormwater Greenstreet LANDSCAPE: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Benefits
Considerations
Check dams can separate different levels of a planting area to allow for greater control of slopes and
to increase detention: Westbourne Avenue at Bay 25th Street, Queens (Credit: DPR)
232
LANDSCAPE: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 6.6.1b Stormwater Greenstreet
Application
Design
DPR has installed treatments of various sizes and shapes throughout the city: Westbourne Avenue at
Bay 25th Street, Queens (Credit: DPR) Plants
Water can be collected in a forebay, such as the triangular area shown on the right. This allows sedi-
ment and debris to settle before the water continues to the planting area: Westbourne Avenue at Bay
25th Street, Queens (Credit: DPR)
233
6.6 Planting Recommendations LANDSCAPE: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
TABLE 6F
Stormwater The following plants have been successfully employed in areas that
Management
capture and treat stormwater runoff in New York City. In particular,
species listed below can tolerate salts and wide fluctuations in soil
Practices Planting moisture. This list is not comprehensive, and there is no guarantee that
Recommendations these plants will survive at a specific site. All plants within the public ROW
must be selected based on site-specific conditions and approved by DPR.
Shrubs Spread
Aronia melanocarpa
Black Chokeberry
3'-6' 3'-6' m ay
Ilex glabra Compacta
Compact Inkberry Holly
3'-6' 3'-6'
Itea virginica Sprich Little Henry
Little Henry Sweetspire
3'-5' 3'-5' jun
Cornus sericea Kelseyi
Kelseyi Red Twig Dogwood
2'-3' 2'-3' jun
Perennials
Aster Woods Pink
Hardy Aster
1'-1.5' 1.5'-2.5' au g
s ep
Echinacea purpurea
Coneflower
2'-3' 2'-3' jun
au g
Epimedium grandiflorum Lilafee
Bishops Hat
1' 1'-1.5' m ay
Eupatorium dubium Baby Joe
Baby Joe Pye Weed
1'-1.5' 1'-1.5' jul
s ep
Hemerocallis (Dwarf Varieties)
Daylilly
1'-1.5' 1'-1.5'
Liriope spicata
Creeping Lilyturf
1'-2' 1'-2' au g
s ep
Rudbeckia fulgida
Black Eyed Susan
2'-2.5' 2'-2.5' jun
oct
Solidago (Dwarf Varieties)
Goldenrod
1.5'-2' 1.5'-2' au g
s ep
Grasses/Grass-like Plants
Carex morrowii
Sedge
1'-1.5' 1.5'-2' apr
jul
Carex pennsylvanica
Pennsylvania Sedge
.5'-1' .5'-1'
Hakonechloa macra
Golden Japanese Forest Grass
2'-2.5' 3'-4'
Juncus effusus
Common Rush
2'-4' 2'-4' jun
au g
Panicum virgatum
Switchgrass
3'-6' 2'-3' jul
f eb
*Fall Dig Hazard ^ALB Host Species Bloom/Showy Flowers Showy Fruit Distinct Foliage Fall Color Distinctive Bark Evergreen
234
Glossary
Common Terms GLOSSARY
Common Terms
A
AASHTO Albedo (Pavement Albedo)
(American Association of State Albedo is the ability of a surface
Highway Transportation Officials) material to reflect incident solar
A nonprofit, nonpartisan association (short wave) radiation. It is expressed
representing highway and on a scale of 0 to 1, where a value of
transportation departments in the 0.0 indicates that a surface absorbs
fifty states, the District of Columbia, all solar radiation and an albedo value
and Puerto Rico, representing all five of 1.0 represents total reflectivity.
transportation modesair, highways, Light-colored surfaces generally have
public transportation, rail, and water. higher albedos than dark-colored
AASHTO publishes numerous design surfaces. Pavements with lower
guidance publications, including albedo absorb more sunlight and
A Policy on Geometric Design of get hotter. Pavements with higher
Highways and Streets (Green Book). albedo absorb less sunlight and are
www.transportation.org/?siteid= therefore cooler, mitigating the urban
37&pageid=310 heat island effect www.epa.gov/
heatisland/resources/faq.html#7.
Accessibility
Conventional asphalt has an albedo
The design of facilities and public
in the range 0.04 to 0.12, while
Rights-of-Way that is easy, safe, and
concrete has an albedo of around
intuitive to use for people with
0.5. (High Performance Infrastructure
disabilities. Accessible environments
Guidelines) Reflectance is also
provide for a person's ability to
measured using Solar Reflectance
independently navigate the space.
Index (SRI) values.
ADA
Arterial Street
(Americans with Disabilities Act)
The part of the roadway system
The Americans with Disabilities
serving as the principal network
Act gives civil rights protections to
of through-traffic flow. The routes
individuals with disabilities, similar to
connect areas of principal traffic
those rights provided to individuals
generation and important rural
on the basis of race, color, sex,
highways entering the cities.
national origin, age, and religion.
(Institute of Traffic Engineers Traffic
It guarantees equal opportunity
Engineering Handbook)
for individuals with disabilities
in public accommodations,
employment, transportation, state
and local government services, and
telecommunications. www.ada.gov
238
GLOSSARY Common Terms
B
Bicycle Bicycle Route/Bike Route Bioswale
Every two- or three-wheeled device A bikeway designated by the A depressed, planted area designed
upon which a person or persons jurisdiction having authority to convey, capture, and filter
may ride, propelled by human power with appropriate directional and stormwater runoff and increase
through a belt, a chain, or gears, with informational route markers, with rainwater infiltration. These systems
such wheels in a tandem or tricycle, or without specific bicycle route are linear. The term street swale
except that it shall not include numbers. Bike routes should establish is used throughout this Manual.
such a device having solid tires and a continuous routing, but may be a (Florida Field Guide to Low Impact
intended for use only on a sidewalk combination of any and all types of Development: buildgreen.ufl.edu/
by pre-teenage children. (New York bikeways. (AASHTO: Guide for the Fact_sheet_Bioswales_Vegetated_
State Vehicle and Traffic Law, Title Development of Bicycle Facilities) Swales.pdf)
1, Article 1, Section 102 and Rules In New York City, bike routes are
BMP (Best Management Practices)
of the City of New York, Title 34, set forth in the New York City
Schedules of activities, prohibitions
Chapter 4, Section 4-01(b)) Cycling Map and come in three main
of practices, maintenance
categories: Bicycle Path, Class 1
Bicycle Facilities procedures, and other management
(bridge, park, or separated on-street
A general term denoting practices to prevent or reduce the
path); Bicycle Lane, Class 2 (on-street
improvements and provisions made discharge of pollutants to waters of
striped route); and Bicycle Route,
by public agencies to accommodate the United States. BMPs also include
Class 3 (on-street signed route).
or encourage bicycling, including treatment requirements, operating
parking and storage facilities, and BID procedures, and practices to control
shared roadways not specifically (Business Improvement District) plant site runoff, spillage, or leaks,
designated for bicycle use. (AASHTO: A not-for-profit corporation made up sludge or waste disposal, or drainage
A Policy on Geometric Design of of property owners and commercial from raw material storage. www.epa.
Highways and Streets) tenants who are dedicated to gov/npdes/pubs/cgp_appendixa.pdf
promoting business development
Bicycle Lane/Bike Lane BRT (Bus Rapid Transit)
and improving an areas quality
A portion of the roadway that A flexible, high-performance rapid
of life. BIDs deliver supplemental
has been designated by striping, transit mode that combines a
services such as sanitation and
signing, and pavement markings for variety of physical, operating, and
maintenance, public safety and visitor
the preferential or exclusive use of system elements into a permanently
services, marketing and promotional
bicycles. (New York State Vehicle and integrated system with a quality
programs, capital improvements,
Traffic Law, Title 1, Article 1, image and unique identity.
and beautification for the areaall
Section 102-a) (Levinson et al., Bus Rapid Transit:
funded by a special assessment
Implementation Guidelines, TCRP
Bicycle Path/Bike Path paid by property owners within the
Report 90-Volume II)
A path physically separated from district. www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/sbs/
motorized vehicle traffic by an open html/neighborhood/bid.shtml BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) Route
space or barrier and either within the A road designed to improve the
Bikeway
highway right-of-way or within an speed, reliability, and overall
A generic term for any road, street,
independent right-of-way and which attractiveness of bus service, and
path, or way which in some manner
is intended for the use of bicycles. that carries bus lines designated as
is specifically designated for bicycle
(New York State Vehicle and Traffic Select Bus Service by MTA NYCT/
travel, regardless of whether such
Law, Title 1, Article 1, MTA Bus and/or other services
facilities are designated for the
Section 102-b) identified as BRT. This also includes
exclusive use of bicycles or are to
roads that are designated for BRT
be shared with other transportation
service in the future, through the
modes. (AASHTO: Guide for the
BRT Master Plan or other planning
Development of Bicycle Facilities)
documents.
239
Common Terms GLOSSARY
C
BUG (Backlight, Uplight, Glare) Capital Project CEQR
Rating A. A project that provides for the (City Environmental Quality Review)
The BUG rating system, describes the construction, reconstruction, A process by which agencies of the
types of stray light escaping from an acquisition, or installation of a City of New York review proposed
outdoor lighting luminaire. The BUG physical public betterment or discretionary actions to identify the
system was developed by the improvement that would be classified effects those actions may have on the
Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) as a capital asset under generally environment. CEQR is New York Citys
to make comparing and evaluating accepted accounting principles for process for implementing SEQRA
outdoor luminaires fast, easy and municipalities, or any preliminary (New York State Environmental
more complete than older systems studies and surveys relative thereto, Quality Review Act), which requires
www.aal.net/content/resources/ or any underwriting or other costs that state and local governmental
files/BUG_rating.pdf incurred in connection with the agencies assess environmental
financing thereof; effects of discretionary actions
B. The acquisition of property of a before undertaking, funding, or
Bus
permanent nature, including wharf approving such actions, unless
Every motor vehicle having a seating
property; they fall within certain statutory
capacity of more than fifteen adults,
C. The acquisition of any furnishings, or regulatory exemptions from the
in addition to the operator, and used
machinery, apparatus, or equipment requirements for review. www.nyc.
for the transportation of persons,
for any public betterment or gov/html/oec/html/ceqr/ceqrfaq.
and every charter bus, interstate bus,
improvement when such betterment shtml
intrastate bus, school bus, and sight-
or improvement is first constructed or
seeing bus, regardless of seating Channelization
acquired;
capacity. (Rules of the City of New The separation or regulation of
D. Any public betterment involving
York, Title 34, Chapter 4, Section conflicting traffic movements into
either a physical improvement or
4-01(b)) definite paths of travel by traffic
the acquisition of real property for
islands or pavement marking to
Bus Route a physical improvement consisting
facilitate the orderly movements
A street that carries one or more in, including, or affecting (1) streets
of both vehicles and pedestrians.
regularly scheduled local, commuter, and parks, (2) bridges and tunnels,
(AASHTO: A Policy on Geometric
or intercity bus lines running on a (3) receiving basins, inlets, and
Design of Highways and Streets)
published schedule. sewers, including intercepting
sewers, plants or structures for the Clear Path
Busway
treatment, disposal or filtration of A straight unobstructed path
A physically separated lane reserved
sewage, including grit chambers, for pedestrian circulation on the
for bus traffic.
sewer tunnels, and all necessary sidewalk. (Rules of the City of New
accessories thereof, or (4) the fencing York, Title 34, Chapter 7, Section
of vacant lots and the filling of sunken 7-06(c)(3)). (See also definition of
lots; clear path in DCAs rules and in the
E. Any other project allowed to be ADA.)
financed by the local finance law, with
Coefficient of Friction
the approval of the mayor and the
A value between 0 and 1 representing
comptroller;
the ratio of the force of resistance
F. Any combination of the above.
between the horizontal motion of a
(New York City Charter Section
body or object and a surface to the
210.1)
force pushing the body or object
Cast-in-Place down on that surface. Surfaces with
Term describing a paving material, lower values, such as ice, are more
such as concrete, that is poured into slippery, while surfaces with higher
place on-site and set to harden values, such as concrete, are less
slippery.
240
GLOSSARY Common Terms
241
Common Terms GLOSSARY
D E F
Design Speed Engineered Soil Flag (sidewalk)
A selected speed used to determine A soil designed to achieve specific A flat slab of stone used as a paving
the various geometric design features infiltration standards in a stormwater- material. (American Heritage
of the roadway. The assumed capture installation. Dictionary of the English Language,
design speed should be a logical Fourth Edition)
one with respect to the topography,
Franchise
anticipated operating speed, the
A grant by an agency of a right
adjacent land use, and the functional
to occupy or use the inalienable
classification of highway. (AASHTO:
property of the city (usually, streets or
A Policy on Geometric Design of
sidewalks) to provide a public service.
Highways and Streets)
(NYC Charter, Section 362(b))
Design Vehicle
Friction Coefficient
Selected vehicles, with
See Coefficient of Friction
representative weight, dimensions,
and operating characteristics, which Furnishing Zone
are used to establish highway design A multi-purpose area of the roadside.
controls for accommodating vehicles It serves as a buffer between the
of designated classes. (AASHTO: pedestrian travel way and the
A Policy on Geometric Design of vehicular area of the thoroughfare
Highways and Streets) within the curbs, and it provides
space for roadside appurtenances
Driver
such as street trees, planting
Every person who operates or drives
strips, street furniture, utility poles,
or is in actual physical control of a
sidewalk cafs, sign poles, signal and
vehicle. (New York State Vehicle and
electrical cabinets, phone booths, fire
Traffic Law, Title 1, Article 1, Section
hydrants, bicycle racks, and bus stop
113)
shelters. (Institute of Transportation
Driveway Engineers, Context Sensitive
Every entrance or exit authorized Solutions in Designing Major
pursuant to applicable law and used Urban Thoroughfares for Walkable
by vehicular traffic to or from lands or Communities: An ITE Proposed
buildings abutting a highway. (Rules Recommended Practice)
of the City of New York, Title 34,
Chapter 4, Section 4-01(b))
242
GLOSSARY Common Terms
G H
Gateway Greenstreet Highway
A combination of traffic-calming and Paved traffic islands and medians The entire width between the
visual measures used at the entrance converted into green spaces boundary lines of every way publicly
to a low speed street to slow entering filled with shade trees, flowering maintained when any part thereof
vehicles and discourage through- trees, shrubs, and/or groundcover, is open to the use of the public for
traffic. pursuant to a program established purposes of vehicular travel.
in 1996 and as further referred to (New York State Vehicle and Traffic
Green Book
in a Master Agreement between Law, Title 1, Article 1, Section 118)
See A Policy on Geometric Design of
DOT and DPR. Many of these
Highways and Streets. High Water Table
installations are designed to
The highest level of the groundwater
Green Infrastructure capture street and sidewalk runoff
in a given area, taking into account
An adaptable term used to describe to allow for stormwater infiltration,
seasonal and periodic storm event
an array of products, technologies, and are referred to as Stormwater
fluctuations. This level can vary
and practices that use natural Greenstreets. Both DPR and DEP
throughout the boroughs, and needs
systemsor engineered systems currently construct Stormwater
to be taken into consideration when
that mimic natural processes Greenstreets.
designing stormwater management
to enhance overall environmental
practices/green infrastructure.
quality and provide utility services.
As a general principal, green Historic District
infrastructure techniques use Any area which (1) contains
soils and vegetation to infiltrate, improvements that have a special
evapotranspirate, and/or detain character or special historical or
stormwater runoff. When used aesthetic interest or value; and
as components of a stormwater represent one or more periods or
management system, green styles of architecture typical of one
infrastructure practices such as or more eras in the history of the
green roofs, porous pavement, rain city; and cause such area, by reason
gardens, and vegetated swales can of such factors, to constitute a
produce a variety of environmental distinct section of the city; and (2)
benefits. In addition, to effectively has been designated as a historic
retain and infiltrate rainfall, these district pursuant to Title 25 of the
technologies can simultaneously Administration Code of the City of
help filter air pollutants, reduce New York. (Administrative Code of the
energy demands, mitigate urban City of New York, Title 25, Chapter 3,
heat islands, and sequester carbon Section 25-302(h))
while also providing communities
Horizontal Deflection
with aesthetic and natural
The horizontal (sideways) movement
resource benefits. water.epa.gov/
of moving vehicles compelled through
infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/
physical and/or visual changes to the
gi_what.cfm
roadway alignment, for example a
bend in the road.
HPS
A type of lamp which uses sodium gas
to produce light. HPS lamps are being
replaced by more-efficient LED lamps
throughout the city.It is one of the
most efficient sources of light.
243
Common Terms GLOSSARY
I L M
IESNA LED Motor Vehicle
The Illuminating Engineering Society A light-emitting diode converts Every vehicle operated or driven
of North America is a professional electricity to light through the upon a public highway which is
organization of lighting engineers movement of electrons. It does not propelled by any power other than
with a commitment to sharing their have a filament and is more efficient muscular power, except as otherwise
knowledge and expertise. IESNA has than incandescent bulbs. It consumes provided in
established recommended guidelines less energy, is more compact, and Section 125 of the Vehicle and
regarding levels of illumination for lasts longer than traditional light Traffic Law. (Rules of the City of New
street and pedestrian lighting. sources. York, Title 34, Chapter 4, Section
4-01(b))
Inclusive Design Limited Use Street
See Universal Design. A legally mapped street to be MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic
temporarily closed to motor vehicles Control Devices)
Intersection
by the Department of Transportation, Defines the standards used by road
The area contained within the grid
in accordance with lawfully managers nationwide to install and
created by extending the curblines
authorized signs or other traffic maintain traffic control devices on all
of two or more streets at the point at
control devices. (Rules of the City of streets and highways. The MUTCD
which they cross each other.
New York, Title 34, Chapter 4, is published by the Federal Highway
(Rules of the City of New York, Title
Section 4-12(r)(4)) Administration (FHWA) under 23
34, Chapter 2, Section 2-01)
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),
Local Street
Part 655, Subpart F.
The local street system comprises
mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
all facilities not on one of the higher
systems. It serves primarily to provide
direct access to abutting land and
access to the higher order systems.
It offers the lowest level of mobility
and usually contains no bus routes.
Service to through-traffic movement
usually is deliberately discouraged.
(FHWA: Functional Classification
Guidelines)
Local Traffic
Vehicular traffic whose trip origin
and/or destination are in the
immediate area of a given street.
244
GLOSSARY Common Terms
N P
NACTO Park Private Road
(National Association of City Parking Every way or place in private
Transportation Officials) The standing of a vehicle, whether ownership and used for vehicular
NACTO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit occupied or not, otherwise than travel by the owner and those having
association that represents large temporarily for the purpose of and express or implied permission from
cities on transportation issues of while actually engaged in loading or the owner, but not by other persons.
local, regional and national unloading property or passengers. (New York State Vehicle and Traffic
significance, and facilitates the (Rules of the City of New York, Title Law, Title 1, Article 1, Section 133)
exchange of ideas, data, and best 34, Chapter 4, Section 4-01(b))
Public Highway
practices. NACTO publishes
Peak Hour(s) Any highway, road, street, avenue,
numerous design guidance
The hour or hours of greatest alley, public place, public driveway,
publications, including Urban Street
vehicular traffic volumes on a given or any other public way. (New York
Design Guide. www.nacto.org/about/
street or intersection, usually defined State Vehicle and Traffic Law, Title 1,
for weekday AM, MD (mid-day) and Article 1, Section 134)
PM, and Saturday MD peak periods.
The peak hours, rather than entire
day, are typically analyzed in a traffic
O
analysis.
Pedestrian
Any person afoot or in a wheelchair.
Operating Speed
(New York State Vehicle and Traffic
The speed at which drivers are
Law, Title 1, Article 1, Section 130)
observed operating their vehicles
during free-flow conditions. The Plaza
85th percentile of the distribution An area designated for use by
of observed speeds is the most pedestrians, which may vary in
frequently used measure of the size and shape; which may abut a
operating speed associated with sidewalk and is located fully within
a particular location or geometric the bed of a roadway; may be at the
feature. (AASHTO: A Policy on same level as the roadway or raised
Geometric Design of Highways and above the level of the roadway; may
Streets) be physically separated from the
roadway by curbing, bollards, or other
separators; may be treated with
special markings and materials; and
may contain benches, tables, or other
facilities for pedestrian use.
245
Common Terms GLOSSARY
R S
Rain Garden Right of Way Scoring (concrete)
A planted depression that captures The right of one vehicle or pedestrian Marking the surface of concrete for
and absorbs rainwater that would to proceed in a lawful manner in visual or textural effect. Tooled joint
otherwise flow into a storm drain. preference to another vehicle or scoring refers to concrete sidewalk
Infiltration and evapotranspiration pedestrian approaching under such flag joints finished with a hand-
are the primary means for water circumstances of direction, speed, trowelled border. Simulated saw-cut
management in these systems. and proximity as to give rise to joint scoring refers to concrete
(Florida Field Guide to Low Impact danger of collision unless one grants sidewalk flag joints finished using a
Development: buildgreen.ufl.edu/ precedence to the other. (New York spacer to simulate the appearance of
Fact_sheet_Bioretention_Basins_Rain_ State Vehicle and Traffic Law, Title 1, joints cut with a masonry saw.
Gardens.pdf) Article 1, Section 139)
Shared Use Path
Resiliency Right-of-Way A bikeway physically separated
The ability of people, the places A general term denoting land, from motorized vehicular traffic by
where they live, and our property, or interest therein, usually an open space or barrier and either
infrastructure systemssuch as in a strip, acquired for or devoted to within the highway right-of-way or
transportation and energyto transportation purposes. within an independent right-of-way.
withstand a stress or shock event, to (AASHTO: Guide for the Development Shared use paths may also be used
recover, and emerge even stronger. of Bicycle Facilities) by pedestrians, skaters, wheelchair
(One New York) users, joggers, and other non-
Road
motorized users. (AASHTO: Guide for
Restricted Use Street An open way for the passage of
the Development of Bicycle Facilities)
A legally mapped street to be vehicles, persons, or animals on land.
permanently closed to motor vehicles (FHWA) Sidewalk
by the Department of Transportation, That portion of a street, whether
Roadbed
and open to use by pedestrians. paved or unpaved, between the curb
The graded portion of a highway
(Rules of the City of New York, Title lines or the lateral lines of a roadway
within top and side slopes, prepared
34, Chapter 4, Section 4-12(r)(4)) and the adjacent property lines
as a foundation for the pavement
intended for the use of pedestrians.
Revocable Consent structure and shoulder. (FHWA)
Where it is not clear which section is
A grant by the city of a right,
Roadway intended for the use of pedestrians,
revocable at willto an owner of real
That portion of a street designed, the sidewalk will be deemed to be
property or, with the consent of the
improved, or ordinarily used for that portion of the street between
owner, to a tenant of real property
vehicular travel, exclusive of the the building line and the curb. (Rules
to use adjacent inalienable property
shoulder and slope. (Rules of the City of the City of New York, Title 34,
(usually, streets or sidewalks) for
of New York, Title 34, Chapter 2, Chapter 4, Section 4-01(b))
such purposes as may be permitted
Section 2-01)
by rules of DOT or DoITT. (For full
definition see NYC Charter, Section
362(c)(2); Rules of the City of New
York, Title 34, Chapter 7, Section
7-01)
246
GLOSSARY Common Terms
T
Simulated Saw-Cut Joint Stop Target Speed
See scoring (concrete) Stopping The speed at which vehicles should
Any halting even momentarily of a operate on a thoroughfare in a
Solar Reflectance Index (SRI)
vehicle, whether occupied or not. specific context, consistent with the
SRI is a value that incorporates both
(Rules of the City of New York, Title level of multimodal activity generated
solar reflectance and emittance
34, Chapter 4, Section 4-01(b)) by adjacent land uses, to provide
in a single value to represent a
both mobility for motor vehicles and a
materials temperature in the sun. Street
safe environment for pedestrians and
SRI quantifies how hot a surface
A street, avenue, road, alley, lane, bicyclists. The target speed is usually
would get relative to standard black
highway, boulevard, concourse, the posted speed limit. (ITE Context
and standard white surfaces. It is
parkway, driveway, culvert, sidewalk, Sensitive Solutions in Designing
calculated using equations based on
crosswalk, boardwalk, and viaduct, Major Urban Thoroughfares for
previously measured values of solar
and every class of public road, square Walkable Communities)
reflectance and emittance as laid out
and place, except marginal streets.
in the American Society for Testing Through Traffic
(New York City Charter Section
and Materials Standard E 1980. It is Vehicular traffic whose trip origin and
210.7)
expressed as a fraction (0.0 to 1.0) destination are not in the immediate
or percentage (0% to 100%). (United Street Tree area of a given street.
States Environmental Protection A tree growing in the public right-of-
Traffic
Agency: www.epa.gov/heatisld/ way. These trees provide a range of
Pedestrians, ridden or herded
resources/glossary.htm) benefits, from increased property
animals, vehicles, bicycles, and other
values to stormwater capture and
Source Control conveyances either singly or together
urban heat island mitigation. www.
Action to prevent pollution while using any highway for purposes
nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/
where it originates. www. of travel. (New York State Vehicle and
trees_greenstreets/faq.html
stormwaterauthority.org/glossary. Traffic Law, Title 1, Article 1, Section
aspx Supplementary Cementitious 152)
Materials (SCM)
Source Reduction Tooled Joint
Industrial by-products such as coal
The technique of stopping and/or See Scoring (concrete)
fly ash, granulated blast furnace
reducing pollutants at their point of
slag, and silica fume that are Traffic Calming
generation so that they do not come
used as a partial replacement for The combination of mainly physical
into contact with stormwater.
portland cement in concrete. (Green measures that reduce the negative
www.cabmphandbooks.com/
In Practice 107Supplementary effects of motor vehicle use,
Documents/Development/
Cementitious Materials, Portland alter driver behavior and improve
Section_7.pdf
Cement Association). SCMs are conditions for non-motorized street
Stand pre-consumer recycled materials users. As opposed to traffic control
Standing that would otherwise have been devices that are regulatory and
The stopping of a vehicle, whether disposed of in landfills, providing cost require enforcement, traffic calming
occupied or not, otherwise than savings to concrete manufacturers measures are intended to be self-
temporarily for the purpose of and and reducing environmental impact enforcing. (ITE: Traffic Calming: State
while actually engaged in receiving or caused by averting disposal. of the Practice, 1999)
discharging passengers. (High Performance Infrastructure
(New York State Vehicle and Traffic Guidelines).
Law, Title 1, Article 1, Section 145
Swale
and Rules of the City of New York,
See Bioswale
Title 34, Chapter 4, Section 4-01(b))
247
Common Terms GLOSSARY
U V
Traffic Control Device Unit Paver Vehicle
All signs, signals, markings, and Paving materials that are precast, Every device in, upon, or by which
devices placed or erected by such as hexagonal asphalt pavers, any person or property is or may be
authority of a public body or official or individually hewn, such as granite transported or drawn upon a highway,
having jurisdiction for the purpose of blocks, such that each paver is a except devices moved by human
regulating, warning or guiding traffic. single unit that can be removed or power or used exclusively upon
(New York State Vehicle and Traffic replaced. stationary rails or tracks. (New York
Law, Title 1, Article 1, Section 153) State Vehicle and Traffic Law, Title
Universal Design
1, Article 1, Section 159 and Rules
Transitway The process of creating convenient,
of the City of New York, Title 34,
Any roadway or series of roadways safe, and accessible spaces for
Chapter 4,
designated for the exclusive use everyone. Accessibility is a critical
Section 4-01(b))
of buses or taxis or such other component of universal design. Also
designated high occupancy vehicles referred to as "Inclusive Design." Vertical Deflection
as may be permitted, during certain The vertical (upward) displacement of
Urban Heat Island
hours of the day, with access to moving vehicles by way of a raising
Many urban and suburban areas
such roadway(s) limited to one of the roadbed surface, for example
experience elevated temperatures
block thereof to other vehicles for with a hump, table, or other raised
compared to their outlying rural
the purpose of delivery of goods or element.
surroundings; this difference in
services or the picking up or dropping
temperature is what constitutes an
off of passengers. (Rules of the City
urban heat island. The annual mean
of New York, Title 34, Chapter 4,
air temperature of a city with one
Section 4-01(b))
million or more people can be 1.8
Truck to 5.4 degrees F (1 to 3 degrees C)
Except as otherwise specified in the warmer than its surroundings, and on
Rules of the City of New York, Title a clear, calm night, this temperature
34, Chapter 4, Section 4-01(b), a difference can be as much as 22
truck is defined as any vehicle or degrees F (12 degrees C). Even
combination of vehicles designed smaller cities and towns will produce
for the transportation of property, heat islands, though the effect often
which has either of the following decreases as city size decreases. (US
characteristics two axles, and six EPA: Reducing Urban Heat Islands:
tires; or three or more axles. (Rules Compendium of Strategies)
of the City of New York, Title 34,
Chapter 4, Section 4-13(a))
248
Appendices A
B
Agency Roles on the Citys Streets
Legal & Design Guidance References
250
254
A. Agency Roles on the Citys Streets APPENDICES
Agency Roles on This diagram summarizes the roles and responsibilities of city agencies and
the Citys Streets other entities related to the most visible aspects of the citys streets. It
does not include all agencies with streetrelated roles and is not intended
to be a literal representation of appropriate street furniture locations.
250
APPENDICES A. Agency Roles on the Citys Streets
DOT
(for most public streets)
www.nyc.gov/dot
DCP
(zoning, private streets,
transportation studies)
www.nyc.gov/dcp
NYS DOT
(for state and federal routes)
www.nysdot.gov
Design of Stormwater
Best Management Practices/
Source Controls
DDC www.nyc.gov/ddc
DEP www.nyc.gov/dep
DPR www.nyc.gov/parks
DOT www.nyc.gov/dot
251
A. Agency Roles on the Citys Streets APPENDICES
DEP
www.nyc.gov/dep
252
APPENDICES A. Agency Roles on the Citys Streets
DEP
Sidewalk Maintenance and Repair
www.nyc.gov/dep
Property Owners
Private Utilities
DOT
Empire City Subway
(in certain zoning districts or through
www.empirecitysubway.com
prior notice) www.nyc.gov/dot
253
B. Legal & Design Guidance References APPENDICES
Legal & Design Federal Laws and Regulations Local Laws and Regulations
Guidance Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) New York City Charter (2004)
References www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/ (www.nyc.gov/html/charter/)
The following are laws, rules,
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control City Planning (Chapter 8)
regulations, and design guidance
Devices (MUTCD)
documents that may be relevant to Department of Buildings (Chapter 26)
www.mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/
the design of streets. This list is
Department of Citywide
provided as a reference tool, for United States Code (USC)
Administrative Services (Chapter 35)
informational purposes only, and is uscode.house.gov
not an exhaustive list. All public Department of Consumer Affairs
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
and private actions must comply (Chapter 64)
www.ada.gov/regs2010/2010ADA
with all applicable laws, rules, and
Standards/2010ADStandards_prt. Department of Design and
regulations, not solely those listed
pdf Construction (Chapter 55)
below.
Clean Air Act (CAA) Department of Environmental
www.epa.gov/air/caa/ Protection (Chapter 57)
254
APPENDICES B. Legal & Design Guidance References
Contracts, Purchases and Franchises Fire Department (Title 3) Guide for the Development of Bicycle
(Title 6) Facilities, 4th edition (AASHTO:
Franchise and Concession Review
2012; bookstore.transportation.org/
Environmental Protection and Committee (Title 12)
Utilities (Title 24) American Planning Association
Landmarks Preservation Commission
(APA)
Local Laws and Regulations (cont.) (Title 63)
U.S. Traffic Calming Manual
Fire Prevention and Control (Title 15) Police Department (Title 38)
(American Planning Association &
Health (Title 17) Public Design Commission/Art American Society of Civil Engineers:
Commission (Title 57) 2009)
Housing and Buildings (Title 26)
Zoning Resolution of the Federal Highway Administration
Land Use (Title 25)
City of New York (FHWA)
Parks (Title18) www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/ www.fhwa.dot.gov/
subcats/zoning.shtml
Police (Title 14) BIKESAFE: Bicycle Countermeasure
City Environmental Quality Review Selection System (FHWA: 2006;
Sanitation (Title 16)
www.nyc.gov/html/oec/html/ceqr/ www.bicyclinginfo.org/bikesafe/)
Transportation (Title 19) ceqr.shtml
PEDSAFE: Pedestrian Safety Guide
Rules of the City of New York CEQR Technical Manual and Countermeasure Selection
24.97.137.100/nyc/rcny/entered. www.nyc.gov/html/oec/html/ceqr/ System (FHWA: 2004; www.
htm ceqrpub.shtml walkinginfo.org/pedsafe/)
City Planning (Title 62) New York City Charter (Chapter 8) Pedestrian Facilities Users Guide
(FHWA: 2002; www.trb.org/news/
Community Assistance Unit (Tile 50) Rules of the City of New York
blurb_detail.asp?id=1545)
(Title 43 and 62)
Department of Buildings (Title 1)
Designing Sidewalks and Trails for
Department of Citywide National Design Guidance Sources Access (FHWA: 2001; www.fhwa.
Administrative Services (Title 55) dot.gov/environment/sidewalks/)
American Association of State
Department of Environmental Highway and Transportation Flexibility in Highway Design
Protection (Title 15) officials (AASHTO) (FHWA: 1997; www.fhwa.dot.gov/
Rules Governing the Construction of www.transportation.org/ environment/flex/)
Private Sewers
A Policy on Geometric Design of Public Involvement Techniques for
Rules Governing the Use of the Water
Highways and Streets, 6th edition Transportation DecisionMaking
Supply
(AASHTO: 2011; www.bookstore. (FHWA/FTA: 1996; www.fhwa.dot.
Department of Consumer Affairs transportation.org/ gov/reports/pittd/contents.htm)
(Title 6)
A Guide for Achieving Flexibility in
MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic
Department of Health (Title 24) Highway Design (AASHTO: 2004;
Control Devices)
bookstore.transportation.org/
Department of Parks and Recreation mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/
(Title 56) Guide for the Planning, Design, and
Institute of Transportation
Operation of Pedestrian Facilities
Department of Sanitation (Title 16) Engineers (ITE) www.ite.org/
(AASHTO: 2004; bookstore.
Department of Small Business transportation.org/ Urban Street Geometric Design
Services (Title 66) Handbook (ITE: 2008; www.ite.org/
emodules/scriptcontent/Orders/
Department of Transportation
ProductDetail.cfm?pc=TB018)
(Title 34)
NYC Traffic Rules (Chapter 4)
NYC Highway Rules (Chapter 2)
Revocable Consents (Chapter 7)
255
B. Legal & Design Guidance References APPENDICES
National Design Guidance Sources Local Design Guidance Sources Instructions for Filing Plans and
(cont.) Guidelines for the Design of
DCP
Sidewalks, Curbs, Roadways and
www.nyc.gov/planning
Context Sensitive Solutions in Other Infrastructure Components
Designing Major Urban New York City Bicycle Master Plan www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/
Thoroughfares for Walkable (DCP & NYC DOT: 1997; permits/stpermit.shtml#instructions
Communities: An ITE Proposed www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/bike/
Specifications for Furnishing All
Recommended Practice mp.shtml)
Labor and Material Necessary and
(ITE: 2006; www.ite.org/css/)
DDC Required for the Installation, Removal
Traffic Calming: State of the Practice www.nyc.gov/ddc or Relocation of Street Lighting
(ITE & FHWA: 1999; www.ite.org/ Equipment in the City of New York
Active Design Guidelines: Promoting
traffic/tcstate.asp#tcsop) (DOT: 1992; www.nyc.gov/html/dot/
Physical Activity and Health in Design
html/about/dotlibrary.shtml#spec)
The Design and Safety of (DDC, DOHMH, DOT, DCP & OMB:
Pedestrian Facilities 2010) Specifications for Furnishing All
(ITE: 1998; www.ite.org/emodules/ Labor and Material Necessary and
High Performance Infrastructure
scriptcontent/Orders/ProductDetail. Required for the Installation or
Guidelines: Best Practices for the
cfm?pc=RP026A) Removal of Electrical Traffic Signal
Public RightofWay (DDC & Design
Equipment to Control Traffic in the
National Association of City Trust for Public Space: 2005)
City of New York (DOT: 1995; www.
Transportation Officials (NACTO)
Sustainable Urban Sites Design nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/
www.nacto.org
Manual (DDC: 2009; www.nyc.gov/ dotlibrary.shtml#spec)
Urban Street Design Guide (NACTO: html/ddc/html/desogm/reports.
School Safety Engineering Project:
2013; www.nacto.org/publication/ shtml)
General Mitigation Measures Final
urban-street-design-guide/)
DOT Report (DOT: 2004; www.nyc.gov/
United States Access Board www.nyc.gov/dot html/dot/downloads/pdf/
www.accessboard.gov/ schoolsafetymitigation.pdf)
Standard Highway Specifications
Accessible Public RightsofWay: Volume 1 DPR
Planning and Designing for (DOT: 2009; www.nyc.gov/html/dot/ www.nyc.gov/parks
Alterations (US Access Board: 2007; downloads/pdf/standard%20_
Tree Planting Standards
www.accessboard.gov/prowac/ highway_specs_vol%201.pdf)
(DPR: 2014; www.nycgovparks.org/
alterations/guide.htm)
Standard Highway Specifications pagefiles/53/Tree-Planting-
ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines Volume 2 Standards.pdf)
(US Access Board: 2004; www. (DOT: 2010; www.nyc.gov/html/ddc/
Tree Guards
accessboard.gov/adaaba/) downloads/pdf/pub_intra_std/_DOT/
(DPR; www.nycgovparks.org/trees/
hwy_std_specs_101101_vol_2.pdf)
The Americans with Disabilities Act tree-care/tree-guards)
Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings Standard Details of Construction
Park Design for the 21st Century:
and Facilities (DOT: 2010; http://www.nyc.gov/
High Performance Landscape
(US Access Board: 2002; www. html/ddc/downloads/pdf/pub_intra_
Guidelines (DPR & the Design Trust
accessboard.gov/adaag/html/ std/_DOT/hwy_std_constr_
for Public Space: 2011)
adaag.htm) details_100701.pdf)
MOPD
Accessible RightsofWay: A Design Street Lighting Specifications and
www.nyc.gov/mopd
Guide (US Access Board: 1999; Standard Drawings
www.accessboard.gov/prowac/ (DOT: 1992; www.nyc.gov/html/dot/ Inclusive Design Guidelines: New
guide/PROWGuide.htm) html/about/dotlibrary.shtml#spec) York City (MOPD, International Code
Council: 2010)
256
APPENDICES B. Legal & Design Guidance References
257
INDEX
Index A B
AASHTO, see American Association of Bench, see CityBench
State Highway and Transportation
BID, see Business Improvement District
Officials
Bikes and Bicycling, 16-17, 20, 21, 26
Access
Bike Share and Stations, 172
management and control, 24, 25
Parking racks and shelter, 76, 178-179
mobility, 16-17, 20-21, 23, 26, 32, 35,
51, 52-53, 100, 171, 193 Bike lanes and paths
bike route, 24, 59
Accessibility, 24, 32, 51, 53, 71, 77, 79,
Bikeway, 51, 55, 57, 58-59
81, 82, 99, 135, 238, 248
buffered lane, 59
ADA, see Americans with Disabilities "dooring," 57
Act emergency vehicle access, 20-21
geometric treatment, 55-59
Aggregate, see Concrete
intersections, 58-59
Air Quality, 32 lighting, 134-135
marking, 55-59
Alliance luminaire and pole, see
median-separated, 57, 58-59
Luminaires and Poles
one-way, 24, 58-59
American Association of State Highway parking, 174
and Transportation Officials, 51, 193 right-of-way, 23, 32
road surface preferred, 126
Americans with Disabilities Act, 15, 20,
shared use, 55, 56, 58-59
26, 32, 33, 51, 53, 63, 65, 71, 99, 135,
signal protected, 58
238
signed route, 59
Applicability, 22, 51, 98, 188 street design, 55-59
traffic calming, 84, 91-92
APT, see Automated Public Toilet
visual emphasis, 55, 58-59
Army Corps of Engineers, 26
Bioswale, 21, 187, 199, 202, 214,
Art Display Case, 169, 172 227-232
DEP ROW Bioswale, 187, 214,
Asphalt
227-232
applications, 110, 126, 127
maintenance, 110, 126, 127 Bishops Crook pole, see Poles
pavers, 110, 114
Bluestone
Pilot applications, 127
applications, 103, 111
porous, 97, 127
flag, 111
Asphaltic concrete, see Concrete maintenance, 103, 111
Automatic Public Toilet, 173 Bollard, 43, 68, 75, 78, 80, 81, 171,
211
Automobiles, see Motor Vehicles
BRT, see Bus Rapid Transit
258
INDEX
Bus Lane and Busway Community facilities, see Curb Curbs, 21, 35
boarding island, 61 Extensions bike path, 57
bus bulb, see Curb extensions buffered lane, 59
Concrete
curb-aligned, 60-61, 62 bus lane and busway, 60-61, 63
aggregate, 101, 105, 107, 108, 116,
geometric treatment and design, 50, concrete, 119, 120
119, 126, 128
60-63 granite, 122
asphaltic, 126
median, 63 curb height, see Medians
bluestone flag, 111
off-board fare collection, 60,77 integral concrete curb and gutter, 121
composition, 128
bus stop shelters, 176
exposed glass aggregate, 108 Curbside
queue-jump, 61
exposed light-colored aggregate, 105 access, 59, 60, 61
red-colored, 62
integral curb and gutter, see Curbs conditions, 26
right-of-way, 60-63
London Paver scoring, 109 regulation, 24
separated, 63
permeable interlocking concrete
Bus Rapid Transit, see Select Bus pigmented, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106,
Service 107, 120
porous, 116
D
Bus Routes, 63
precast square paver, see Pavers
Davit poles, see Poles
roadways, 128
C
sand-colored with exposed aggregate, Daylighting, 75
107
DEP ROW Bioswale, see Bioswale
silicon carbide treatment, 106
Capital Budget, 21, 22, 30-31, 34
simulated saw-cut joint, 101, 102, Design and review process, 17, 21,
Capital project, 30 105, 108 98-99
unpigmented, 101, 116, 119
Case Studies, 30, 40-45 Design Vehicle, 53, 75, 92
Hoyt Avenue at RFK Bridge, 40-41 Context, 19, 20, 26, 51
Disabilities, see People with Disabilities
West Houston Street, 42-43
Coordinated Street Furniture Franchise,
Willoughby Plaza, 44-45 Drainage, 24, 26, 30, 53
173, 174, 176, 181
CEQR, see City Environmental Quality
Crosswalks
E
Review
materials, 98, 123, 124, 129
Chicane, see Curb extensions raised, 52, 88
street design, 52, 75, 81, 92, 178, 219
CityBench, 177 Emergency access, 20-21, 53
thermoplastic imprinting, 123
bus lanes and busways, 63
City Environmental Quality Review, 22,
CSO, see Combined Sewer Overflow medians, 79
32, 51, 99
speed reducers, 85, 86
Curb Extensions, 21, 50, 52-53, 74-75
City Light luminaire and pole, see
bulb, 77, 209 Enforcement, 20, 24, 56
Luminaires and Poles
bus bulb, 50, 77
CityRack, 178, 179 chicane, 89
community facilities, 50, 64, 75, 76,
Clear Corner Policy, 71
78, 87, 201
Cobblestone, 113, 129, 178 mid-block narrowing, 50, 78
applications, 113, 129 neckdown, 53, 74
planting, 216, 232-233
Cobra Head luminaire, see Luminaires
259
INDEX
F G H
Flatbush Avenue pole, see Poles Gateway, 87, 88 Helm luminaire, see Luminaires
Geometric Treatment, 50, 51
Flooding, 21, 26, 53, 135, 171, 191, Hexagonal asphalt paver, see Pavers
accessibility, 53
205, 214
applicability, 51 High Pressure Sodium, see Lighting
Flushing Meadows luminaire and pole, design vehicles, 53
Historic District, 26, 33, 37, 98-99
see Luminaires and Poles emergency access, 53
crosswalks, 124
Furnishing zone, see Sidewalks guidance sources, 51
lighting, 135, 142, 151, 154, 158,
limited usage, 51
159
Furniture, 20, 23, 24, 31, 64, 68, Pilot usage, 51
roadways, 124, 129
74-75, 76, 100, 101, 170-183, roadways and lanes, 55-68
sidewalks, 70, 103, 104, 111, 112,
211 sidewalks and raised medians,
122
70-82
Solar Reflectance Index, 51 History and Character, 20, 26
sustainable street design, 52
Horizontal deflection, 85, 89, 91
traffic calming, 84-93
usage categories, 51 Hoyt Avenue at RFK Bridge Case Study,
wide usage, 51 40-41
Granite
applications, 43, 51, 68, 102, 103,
I
104, 120
Individual tree bed, see Tree Beds
block, 113, 129
curb, 122 In-ground planting area, 219, 220
paver, 51, 112, 124, 129
Integral concrete curb and gutter, see
slab, 112
Curbs
Gravel
Integrated streetlights, 136, 153-160
applications, 68, 101, 229
epoxy, 68 Interlocking permeable pavers, see
Green Book, 15 Pavers
Greening, 26, 31, 78, 189, 226 Intersections, 33, 53, 75, 92, 136, 165
complex, 53, 58
Greenstreet, 26, 188-189, 205, 210,
multi-leg, 53
214, 216, 232
raised, 50, 93
Guidance Sources, 51, 188 signalized, 33, 91
slip lanes, 53
stop-controlled, 88, 90
260
INDEX
N
plant installation and maintenance, 142, 143, 147, 148, 162
197 Shielded teardrop, 135-136, 141,
plant selection, 190 142, 143, 151, 154
plaza plantings, 218-222 Stad, 10, 149, 150 Neckdown, see Curb Extensions
reviews and approvals, 189 Standard LED, 146
Neighborhood traffic circle, 90
roadway plantings, 204-212 Teardrop, 135-136, 141, 142, 143,
sidewalk plantings, 213-217 151, 154, 158, 158, 162 Network, 25, 32, 52-53, 136
soils, 191 Type B, 157 operations, 32
spacing/siting requirements, 193 Type F, 158 role, 26
stormwater management practices, Type M, 159
Newsstand, 71, 76, 171, 181
226-234 World's Fair, 160
tree beds, 198-203 New York City Administrative Code, 31,
tree preservation and protection, 33
194-196
usage categories, 188
M Noise, 17, 85, 129, 188
Land use, 20, 25, 26, 38 Maintenance, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 32, 37
context, 35, 40, 64-65, 66, 67, 73,
202
agreement, 65, 76, 99, 189
partners, 26, 32, 37, 178
O
Lane narrowing, 84 Materials, 16-17, 20-21, 23, 24-25 Octagonal pole, see Poles
curbs, 118-122
LED, see Lighting Operating speed, see Speed
crosswalks, 123-124
Level of service, 32, 33 Distinctive usage, 98-99 Operational improvements, 24
Historic usage, 98-99
Lighting, 20-21, 23, 24-25, 26 Operational projects, 30-32, 33, 34-35,
Pilot usage, 99, 115, 116, 117, 127
components, 134 40
roadways, 125-129
Distinctive usage, 135
sidewalks, 100-117
High Pressure Sodium, 135, 137
P
Solar Reflectance Index, 108, 114,
Historic usage, 135
117, 126
integrated streetlights, 153-160
Standard usage, 98-99
LED, 134-137, 146, 155
usage categories, 98-99 Parking, 19, 26, 31, 32, 35
luminaires, 145-151
lane, 31, 57, 60-61, 74-75, 84
Pilot usage, 135, 155 Medians, 31, 50, 52-53
regulation, 32, 35
poles, 139-143 1214 inches, 208
utilization, 32, 35
signal poles, 162-165 access, people with disabilities, 53
Standard usage, 135 access, emergency, 53 Pavement, 61-61, 99
usage categories, 135 barrier, 82 materials, 126, 127, 128
bike lane/path, 56-57 porous, 116
Limited-access arterial planting, see
busway, 63 Solar Reflectance Index, 108
Planting
curb-height, 207
261
INDEX
Pavers
bluestone flag, 111
limited-access arterial, 222-225
pedestrian mall, 209 R
plaza, 218-221
concrete, 115, 129
raised median, 205-206 Rain garden, 228
granite, 112, 113, 124
raised planting area, 220
hexagonal asphalt, 110 Resiliency, 10, 19, 21, 24, 26, 32, 36,
recommendations, 203, 212, 217,
permeable interlocking concrete, 115 53, 99, 135, 171, 198, 246
221, 225, 234
London, 109
ribbon sidewalk, 215 Revocable consent, 71, 171
rubber, 117
stormwater management practices,
precast square, 114 Ribbon sidewalk, see Sidewalks
226-234
unit paver, 108, 110, 114, 117
street end, 211 Right-of-way, 23, 32, 188-189
PDC, see Public Design Commission triangle, 210
Roadways and Lanes, see also Streets
Pedestrian, 16-17, 26, 35 PlaNYC, 19, 188 cobblestone, 129
lighting, 134-135 curbless, see Shared street
Plazas, 44-45, 50, 64-64, 66, 67, 68
mall, 209 geometric treatment and design, 50,
interim, 44-45, 50, 68
safety, 26 55-68
permanent, 50, 67
street, 129 grading, 24, 30, 31
planting, 188, 210, 218-220
volume, 44-45, 65 limited usage, 51
Poles, 134-135 materials, 125-129
People with Disabilities, 20, 35, 51, 52,
Alliance, 153, 165 Pilot applications, 63, 64
238
Bishops Crook, 151, 154, 162, 163 residential avenues, 59
Design Considerations, 26, 56, 57,
City Light, 155 residential cross street, 59
63-66, 68, 80, 88, 90, 92, 93
Davit, 140 shared, 64-65, 87
Material Considerations, 113, 129
Flatbush Avenue, 141 Solar Reflectance Index, 61, 63, 65,
Furniture, 171
Flushing Meadows, 156 67
Permeable interlocking concrete paver, Octagonal, 139-140 usage categories, 51
see Pavers Round, 139, 140 wide usage, 51
signal poles, 135, 161-165 width considerations, 26
Permits, 26, 99, 171
TBTA, 142-143
revocable consent, 71, 171 Roundabout, see Traffic calming
Type B, 157
wetlands, 26
Type F, 158 Round pole, see Poles
PICP, see Permeable interlocking Type M, 159
ROW, see Right-of-way
concrete paver Type M-2A, 162-163
Type S-1A, 164 Rubber paver, see Pavers
Pilot, 51
World's Fair, 160
applications, 63, 64, 86, 89, 90, 91, Runoff, see Stormwater Management
93, 155 Policy, see Goals Practices
lighting, 135, 155
Pollution, 17, 21
materials, 99, 115, 116, 117, 127
usage categories, 50, 51 Public art, 24, 172
S
Planning, see Design and planning Public Design Commission, 22, 31, 33,
process 35, 37, 98-99, 135 Safety, 16-17, 20-21, 26, 30-32, 34,
51, 52-53
Planting, see also Landscape Public space, 24, 26, 36
vulnerable groups, 20
1214 inches, 208 programming, 24
curb height, 207 shared street, 64 Sand-colored concrete, see Concrete
curb extension, 216 street design, 64, 66, 67, 68
SBS, see Select Bus Service
full sidewalk, 214
in-ground planting area, 219 Select Bus Service, 31, 34, 60, 77, 182
262
INDEX
Sidewalks Streets, see also Roadways and Lanes Traffic Calming, 50, 84-93
access, 100 bicycling, 55-59 chicane, 89
community facilities, 76 context, 19, 20-21, 26, 51 curb extensions, 87, 89
curb extension, 74-75 cost-effectiveness, 19, 20-21, gateway, 87
DEP ROW bioswale, 230-231 51, 52-53 humps, 85, 86
full, 70, 73, 200, 214 crosswalks, 52, 75, 81, 92, 178, 219 lane narrowing and lane removal, 84
furnishing zone, 70, 72, 100, 108, curbs, 21, 35 medians, 84
113, 114, 213, 214, 217 curbside conditions, 26 mid-block narrowing, 50, 78
geometry, 70-71 cuts, 26 neighborhood traffic circle, 90
materials, 98-99, 100-117 drainage, 52-53 Pilot applications, 86, 89, 90, 91, 93
ribbon, 50, 73, 215 furniture, 170-183 raised crosswalk, 88
permits, 99 greening, 26, 188-189 raised intersection, 90
planting, 193, 213-217 history, 16-17 raised speed reducers, 50, 85, 88, 93
Solar Reflectance Index, 71 network role, 25, 32, 52-53, 136 roundabout, 91-92
Stormwater Greenstreet, 232-233 operations, 23 shared street, 87
tree preservation and protection, Pilot treatments, 63-64 Solar Reflectance Index, 93
194-195 plantings, 204-212 speed cushion, 52, 86
plazas, 66-68
Signal pole, see Poles Traffic signal poles, see Lighting and
reconstruction, 30, 32
Poles
Signal-protected path, 58 resurfacing, 22, 31
sustainability, 19, 20-21 Transit, 26, 31, 32, 60
Signal timing, 35, 58
width considerations, 26 Trees, 24, 26, 188, 190-195, 212, 217,
Sign placement, 59 221, 225, 234
Streetlights, see Lighting, Luminaires,
Silicon carbide treatment, see Concrete and Poles canopy, 21
critical route zone, 194-195
Simulated saw-cut joint, see Concrete Swale, see Bioswale
Tree Beds, 199-203
Snow clearing, 53 connected, 116, 199-200, 202
U
Stad luminaire, see Luminaires
TBTA pole, see Poles
Standard LED Luminaire, see
Teardrop luminaire, see Luminaires
Luminaires
ULURP, see Uniform Land Use Review
Toilets, see Automatic Public Toilets
Stormwater Management Practices Procedure
bioswales, 21, 187, 199, 202, 214, Traffic
Uniform Land Use Review Procedure,
227-232 background, 16-17
37, 38
control, 26, 32 controls, 24, 33, 52-53
DEP Priority CSO Tributary Areas, 227 cut-through, 20, 82 Unit paver, see Pavers
DEP ROW bioswale, 230-231 engineering, 33, 35
Universal Design, 53, 99, 135, 171, 248
detention and retention, 227 Traffic Safety Data Viewer, 35
installation, 226-234 Unpigmented concrete, see Concrete
planting recommendations, 234
Utilities, 26, 30, 33, 38
runoff, 26, 53, 219, 226-229,
230-231, 232-233
Stormwater greenstreet, 232-233
263
INDEX
V
Vehicles
automobile, 16-17
bikes and bicycling, 16-17, 20, 21, 26
emergency, 20, 53, 60, 63, 79, 85, 86
motor vehicle, 16-17, 26, 35, 52-53
separation from pedestrians, 59
W
Walking, 16-17, 20-21, 26, 53, 182
Z
Zoning, 22, 51, 99
264