Neighborhood Greenways Implementation
and Slow Streets Barricade Removal
City Council Meeting: Sept 17, 2024
Action Item 7C
Recommendation:
o Receive update on Neighborhood Greenways
implementation strategy
o Provide direction on removing select Slow Streets
barricades in the immediate future
Neighborhood Greenways Overview
Streets designed to give priority to
people walking and biking, and
improve safety of crossings
Allow bicyclists and motorists to
safely share the road on low-
volume, low-speed, local streets
Street goals:
(1) Lower vehicle speeds
(2) Lower vehicle volumes
(3) Improve crossings
Why Neighborhood Greenways?
Essential for a
Connected Network
Along with trails and separated
bike lanes, creates a network
that seamlessly connects to
schools, jobs, transit, shopping
and recreation.
Encourages more people to
bike
46% of Alameda residents are
“interested but concerned” to bike -
a low-stress network is key to creating
a comfortable and safe environment
for all
2022 Active
Transportation
Plan identified this
new facility type
Active Transportation Plan (2022)
Implementation Strategy
Phase 1: Focus on Slow Street segments of Pacific Avenue, San Jose Avenue/Morton Street, and Versailles Avenue
1A
(underway)
• Community Education and
Engagement
• Design Treatment Toolkit
• Pacific Ave concept plan
1B
(beginning late Fall 2024)
• Design, Bid and Construct
first segment of Pacific
Avenue
1C
(beginning 2025)
• Design and implement remaining
Pacific Ave Slow Street *
• Complete San Jose Ave/Morton St
and Versailles Ave *
* Additional funding likely to be requested,
and grant funds are being pursued.
Phase
2 (2026-2030)
Implement remaining six Neighborhood
Greenways in 2030 Low-Stress Backbone
Network
Phase
3 (Post 2030)
Implement the remaining greenways in
the Active Transportation Plan
Implementation Strategy
Future Work
Future implementation and timing dependent on funding and staff resources. Grant funds are being pursued.
Neighborhood Greenway
Treatments
• A variety of treatment options to:
• Reduce vehicle speeds and volumes
• Improve crossing safety and comfort
• Enhance the walking and biking
experience
• Many possible types of materials
• Community survey provided
feedback on treatments
Reduce Vehicle Speeds
Speed Limit Reduction
Neighborhood Traffic
Circles Speed Cushions Chicanes
Reduce Vehicle Volumes
Turn RestrictionsPartial Traffic Diverter Median Diverter Improve Crossing Safety and Comfort
Bicyclist/Pedestrian
Activated Signals Median Refuge Islands
Raised Crosswalks
Curb Extensions
Enhance User Experience
Wayfinding Signs Landscaping Asphalt Art Pavement Markings Neighborhood Greenways Toolkit
Guide for design and application of
treatments using both quick-build and
permanent materials
Informed by design and implementation of
the first Neighborhood Greenway to be
implemented (Pacific Ave )
Coordinated with emergency response
staff to make sure all treatments can be
safely used
Cheaper, less durable, readily available Typically involves concrete, drainage, electrical work Quick-Build Permanent Build
MATERIAL TYPES
• 2020: Began program
• 2021: Comprehensive evaluation
• 2021 and 2022: Council direction to
keep in place until Neighborhood
Greenways (or Central Ave project, for
Santa Clara Ave) implemented
• 2024: Council direction to re-evaluate
barricade removal timing
Slow Streets
Slow Streets program today
Current status
• Likely reducing and slowing traffic, creating a more comfortable and safer biking experience
• Collision data – no increase in reported collisions
• Barricade maintenance takes staff time away from other activities • Frequent community complaints that barricades impede traffic and create hazardous conditions
• Public confusion and frustration about why Slow Streets still in place In response
• Transportation Commission meeting (Aug 28) – discussion item • General support for keeping barricades in place, while also quickly moving forward with Neighborhood Greenway implementation
• Concerns with options that would slow down or reduce funding for implementing Greenways • Community survey conducted to gauge wider community opinions Differing community opinions on barricade removal timing 33% 34% 31% 33%
50% 43% 42% 43%
17% 23% 26% 24%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
Pacific Ave Versailles Ave Morton St/San Jose
Ave
Santa Clara Ave
Remove soon Keep in place No opinion
Per Council Direction
When should
the barricades
be removed on
each Slow
Street?
Community Survey, 7/31/2024 – 8/20/2024
Staff recommendation
Slow Streets Barricade Removal Timing
• Pacific Ave, San Jose Ave/Morton St, and Versailles Ave • Maintain barricades at beginning + end of each Slow Street and at major street crossings until the Neighborhood Greenways are implemented in 2024/2025, and remove barricades at lower-volume cross-streets. Results in removal of about half of these barricades.
• Santa Clara Ave
• Leave barricades (9 total) in place until Central Ave separated bike lanes are completed, by 2026.
Recommendation rationale
• Keeps barricades where they are most needed to deter auto traffic to maintain many of the safety benefits
• Majority of drivers will turn onto a Slow Street from a busier street and will therefore still be deterred by barricades
• Central Ave project construction likely to divert more traffic to Santa Clara Ave, and barricades will discourage this and maintain a safer bikeway in this corridor • Reduces staff maintenance of barricades
• Keeps Neighborhood Greenways implementation on track
• Survey results didn’t show overwhelming preference for either leaving in or immediately removing the barricades
Map of Staff Recommendations
Option 1:
Keep all barricades in place per existing Council direction (until late 2025/early 2026) Option 2:
Remove all barricades and replace select remaining ones with temporary flex posts Option 3:
Remove all barricades immediately
Other options considered, not recommended
Next Steps
• Sept. 28 Pacific Ave Neighborhood
Greenway Pop Up (10a – 1pm)
• Web-based Neighborhood Greenway input
map (coming this month)
alamedaca.gov/NeighborhoodGreenways
Action Item 7C
Recommendation:
o Receive update on Neighborhood Greenways
implementation strategy
o Provide direction on removing select Slow Streets
barricades in the immediate future