CSS.org's Custom Google Search

View case studies and examples of flexible design elements in practice around the U.S. and internationally. This section features hundreds of case studies and images of road-design elements like barriers, bicycle facilities, crosswalks, curb extensions, medians, parking, shoulders, sidewalks, transit facilities, and more.

Barriers and Clear Zones
	In CSS projects, close scrutiny is given to the design of pedestrian and traffic barriers, sound and visual barriers, and the dimensions and design elements within a "clear zone."

Bicycle Facilities
	Making streets more bikeable is often a goal of CSS projects. The integration of bicycles onto streets and roads can be done in a number of ways, depending on the context, space available, and demand for bicycling.

Bridges
	Bridges are important functional and historic structures in both urban and rural settings. In CSS projects, designers are addressing the aesthetic design of a bridge, its linkages to the surrounding context at each end of the bridge, and the functions that bridges can serve for pedestrians, bicyclists.

Crossing Islands / Channelized Intersections
	Research shows that crossing islands help reduce vehicle speeds in intersections and provide refuge space for pedestrians to cross halfway, wait for a break in the traffic, and then continue across.

Crosswalks
	Crosswalks are an essential element for a safe, continuous and comfortable pedestrian environment. Design decisions in CSS projects specifically deal with the crosswalk location (including at unsignalized or mid-block urban locations), materials to enhance their character and visibility, width, and relationship to crossing islands, curb extensions, and other pedestrian enhancements.

Curb Extensions / Neckdowns

Neckdowns and bulbouts reduce the crossing width of streets for pedestrians, make pedestrians more visible in a crosswalk, and add space to sidewalks that can be used for pedestrian amenities and activities - which is why they are now common in downtown projects. By forcing drivers to slow down when they turn the corner, makes it safer and more comfortable for pedestrians. Research shows they have a minor impact on traffic speed.

Interchanges
	Highway interchanges are often gateways to communities and regions.

Intersections
	Intersections present challenges in any transportation project. With CSS, innovative techniques and tools are being developed to address this important aspect of road design. These techniques help make streets and roads safer and easier to cross, and reduce accidents and conflicts. In cities and towns, intersections can become lively street corner environments.

Landscaping and Amenities
	Broadly termed, these features include trees, lighting, information signs, benches and other features which make a street more comfortable for its users and more attractive.

Lane Widths
	In CSS projects, designers are using the flexibility inherent in design criteria and standards to select a lane width that is appropriate to a site's context, the desired vehicular speed, and types of vehicles served, recognizing that roadway space is often constrained and excess space for vehicles can be given over to other purposes, such as wider sidewalks for pedestrians or a bicycle lane.

Medians

Medians can be major amenities for adjacent communities. They have many useful functions including reducing lane widths, providing a safe space for pedestrians as they make their way across the street, splitting-up a lengthy curb-to-curb distance, and becoming a location for trees, flowers, art, and other amenities. They can also present challenges in terms of their design and landscape treatments.

Modern Roundabouts
	While not suitable for all situations, roundabouts are being used in CSS projects because they can offer several advantages over conventional intersections: they eliminate conflict points, while increasing vehicle capacity; they reduce delay and costs of site acquisition and signal maintenance; they can be very attractive and become a community focal point; and they have a terrific safety record.

Parking
	In CSS projects, the layout of parking on a street is being used to achieve broader goals as well, such as reducing vehicle speeds and buffering pedestrians from moving traffic.

Public Utilities / Valley Gutters
	One element of cross-section design that is often overlooked is the accommodation of public utilities. Overhead utilities typically include electric, telephone, and cable television.

Shoulders
	In CSS projects, designers are tailoring the width and materials of shoulder to better fit in with the adjacent context, and eliminating shoulders in urban settings where they are not appropriate.

Sidewalks
	Sidewalks are not just pedestrian thoroughfares: they are social places in communities as well which serve adjacent land uses. Design of sidewalks responsive to context deals with the full variety of functions the sidewalk will serve.

Signals and Timing
	Traffic signalization is another tool of CSS designers seeking to adjust vehicle speeds and balance vehicle operating goals with the goals of adjacent communities.

Transit Facilities
	The design of transit facilities on streets - shelters, stops, and special lanes - is being viewed as very important to increasing ridership by making transit service more comfortable and efficient for passengers.