Buildings and Circulation Flashcards by Nichole Casebeer

What 5 best practices should be used for locating a building

1 oreint building with respect to topography

preserve existing veg

locate near a site entry

such that a primary entry will fall along a major pathway

such that primary entry will fall on the south side of a building

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buildings should be located in accordance with what principle regarding previous site use?

locate builidings on a previously distrubed site if possible, to conserve open space

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buildings should be located in accordance with what principles regarding site topography

in such a way to minimize grading to greatest degree

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buildings should be located in accordance with what principles regarding access points

locate structues as close to existing access points as possible to reduce road lengths (cost impact ect)

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building should be located in accordance with what principles regarding site veg

locate buildings to minimize impact on exisitng veg

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buildings should be located in accordance with what principles regarding entrances

buildilng entrances should have a southern orientaiton. SSE and SSW are MOST idea for solar gain during winter

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buildings should be located in accordnace with what principles regarding site cirulation

such tha entraices are places along MAJOR pedestrian pathways

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Building massing and scale should be desing in accordance with what pricniple regarding wind and shade

taller buildings should not cast shadows or create wind tunnel effect TOWARD STREETSCAPES AND PUBLIC SPACES

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building height should take what into consideration? what is considered a “human-scale”

2-4 stories is human scale

any higher stories are recessed or stepped back

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What 5 key considerations should be made when designing ‘SITE CIRUCULATION’

connectivity - MUST connect to existing circulation

ALIGN ENTRIES AND EXITS - must be located at periphery and aligned

VISIBLE ENTRIES AND EXISTS - if multiple exist - establish heiarchy

ESTABLISH A HEIARCHY - all major site cirulation should lead to entry and exits

FACILLIATE WAYFINDING

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What rules can a design follow to establish successful wayfinding

break up site into regions that use visual language to differentiate themselves

establish clear site lines

craete vantage points and overlooks - esp of site landmarks

COLOR IS A POOR CHOICE - color blindness

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What two sites may be expection to rule when establishing connectivity to existing ciruclation when designing a site

hosptials - establish clear public vs private

private campuses - have their own distinct interior circulation

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What are the four categories of roadways - from busiest to least

PRINCIPAL arterial

minor arterial

collector

local

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what is a principal arterial?

designed to carry large traffic volumes long distances

typ a highway, typ can only be accessed by specific connecting roads (onramps)

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what is minor arterial?

provide continuous routes through urba areas

“backbone” of urban street network (residential streets typ DO NOT directly access a minor arterial

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What are the two basic geometrci components of horizontal roadway alignements?

straight lines and arcs

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What are the components of a roadway curve?

see diagram

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What rules should be followed when designing horizontal roadway alignments

road should be as direct as possible while also addressing toop and natural and cultural features

all straight lines should be TANGENT to any arcs in the roadway

longer curves in roadways are safer than tighter

abrupt changes in road character should be avoided (i.e sharp transitions)

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What is sight distance?

the length of road ahead of the vehicle that is visible to the driver

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What situations may reduce sight distance and cause safety issues

insufficient pruning

obstrucgive elemtns like signage,

street parking

curves, bumps and rise in road

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What is a sight triangle?

What two general rules are true of site traingles

The sight distance located at an intersection

sight triangles MUST be free from obstructions including trees and veg

plants in sight triangle should be NO GREATER than 2’ tall

What are the pros and cons of roadways that run PARALELL to contours

pros
easy access between road and building

cons
building disrupts natural drainage patterns - grading must direct water around the buildings

What is advantage of roadways that run PERPENDICULAR to contours

pros
orientation is conducive to natural drainage

cons
road will be steep
awkard relationship between roads and buildings (paths perpenicular to direction of road must be cross-sloped)
cost grade changes (retaining walls)

What is the PREFERRED layout of a road relative to topo and what are the advantages

diagonal across contours

pros
efficient storm drainage

good access between road and adjacent structures

less steep gradients

least amount of disturbance

When designing parking and drop off areas - what 6 best practices should be followed

minimize distrubance make parking convenient - locate near buildings (aka less than 700 feet) flat sites - slope BETWEEN 1 AND 5 PERCENT No dead ends - if exisits needs hammerhead turnaround separate peds and vehicles create safe drop offs - away from main traffic flow with drop off area on the passenger's side

Describe the key features of a safe drop off area (diagram)

What is preferred location of parking area

Away from streetscape to allow for engaging and active streetscape allow access for shipping and reciving - away from public parking maintain visibility and ease of access for business goers

What are strategies to reduce parking lot size / impervious area

introduce angled parking to reduce the required drive aisle width reduce dimensions of each stall reduce overall parking requirment

When accounting for total parking numbers - which type of stall accomodates the most cares per square feet - and which the least?

90 degree the most 45 degree the least

What is the relationship between the angle of a stall and the cross section dimension of the parking lot?

the narrower (smaller) the angle, narrower the overall cross section - aka 45 is narrowest. then 60 then 90 is widest cross section

describe speed bumps raised crosswalks and speedtables and raised intersections

describe neckdowns traffic circles roundabouts and chokers

describe realigned intersections textured surfaces center island narrowing and chicanes

What is a woonerf

Woonerf ("Street for living") is a Dutch term for common space created to be shared by pedestrians, bicyclists, and low speed motor vehicles. They are typically streets without curbs and sidewalks, and vehicles are slowed by placing trees, planters, parking areas, and other obstacles in the street.

What is typical streetscape comprised of

paving planting lighting furnishing public and private amenties and facilities

What is the most and least appropriate location for site furnishings and lighting in a streetscape?

What shape of bench is most conducive to interactions between users?

"L"

what is the max amount pedestrians are willing to walk to a destination?

under site specific scenario - 700 ft or 1/8 mile according to Time Saver Standards 1/4 to 1/2 mile pedestrian shed according to Planning and Urban design standards - better applied to more general situations

What 6 best praictces should be used in pedestrain crossing design to reduce risk

ensure onobstructed visibility - THIS SHOULD BE THE PRIMARY CRITERIA crossings should be PERPENDICULAR crossing distances should be reduced (by ped islands called bulb outs) at midblock DRIVERS ARE LESS VIGILANT AT MIDBLOCK CROSSINGS one should lower vehicle speeds where possible for NEW ROADWAYS reduce the the roadway width use visible signage and flashing lights NOTE CLARB texts typ discourage grade separated crossings because they are expensive and difficult to navigate

What are the characteristics of a bicycle path?

8-12' wide MAX 2% cross slope - 1.5% ideal typ asphalt

What are the characteristics of a Bicycle LANE

Portion of larger roadway dedicated to bicyclists generally 5-6' wide Delineated by signs markings or textured strips

Bike lanes can be integrated into an exisitng ROW by - what 4 things

narrowing existing vehicular lands removing a vehicle land removing street parking widening the road

What is a wide outside lane?

a lane on the right side of traffic that can be shared with vehicles withou obstructing traffic ~14' wide SHOULD ONLY BE USED ON LOW SPEED LOW TRAFFIC

what is a shared roadway

THE MOST DANGEROUS FORM Signage indicates presence of bikes in roadway, may impede traffic flow SHOUDL OWNLY BE USED ON LOW SPEED LOW TRAFFIC

What two facts are true about all bikeways

Accomodate users traveling up to 20mph provide overhead clearance of 10'

Please list common bike - car points of conflict at intersection

cyclists turning left across traffic cyclists crossing traffic when vehicles are entring or turning from the right cyclists or motorists fail to yeild

What is a multi-use trail designed for?

A range of users including walkers. hikers. bikers skaters should be accessible to broad range of fitness levels MAIN TRAILS SHOULD BE LOCATED ALONG GRADIENTS OF 5% OR LESS

What is main conflict on multi use trail

Peds and bikers

What are the ADA slopes for walkways, ramps and handrails

Any walkway that exceeds 5% is a ramp MAX slope for ANY ADA walkway (including ramps) is 8.33% (1 to 12) ADA walkways WITHOUT handrails should have MAX cross slope of 2.1% (1 to 48) ADA RAMPS should have max cross slope of 2% (1 to50)

What are 8 best practices to consider when designing for ADA compliance and universal accessibility?

stairs are the MOST significant barrier ANY level change is a barrier RAMPS are not necessarily easy for all (even if easy for wheelchair) HANDRAILS are critical paving materials strongly influcent tactile warning strips delineate any change bollards should never be placed in the center or main flow of pedestrain walkway chain barriers are dangerous - undetectable by cane users

When designing for elderly or aged - What should you consider?

walking is most common activity playgrounds and daycare are considered complementary uses because the site of young people playing is often greatly appreciated by elderly