Global Street Design Guide

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Table of Contents

Global Street Design Guide

Existing Conditions


The street illustrated above plays an important role in the city’s network, connecting commercial hubs to neighborhoods with a center-running transit spine. At times, transit is physically separated to increase efficiency.


This two-way street has two travel lanes in each direction with medium traffic volumes and high pedestrian activity.


Pedestrian access across the street is allowed at designated, but limited, points where crossings are not universally accessible.


Pedestrians spill onto the roadbed due to limited space for commercial and pedestrian activity.


Transit riders face difficulty in crossing multiple travel lanes to get from the transit stop on the central median to the sidewalk.


Frequent curb cuts result in multiple turning and weaving conflicts, rendering the street unsafe for cyclists.



Kolkata, India

Design Guidance


Reconfigure this street to re-establish it as an important commercial corridor. Restrict or filter through-traffic and separate transit, cycle, and pedestrian zones within the right-of-way. Prioritize stopping-and-staying activities.


 Improve center-running mass transit by raising the roadbed at the transit stops to increase boarding efficiency and accessibility. See: Transit Facilities.


Vehicle traffic may be fully prohibited, restricted to certain times of day, or required to turn off after one or two blocks to manage  volume and preserve pedestrian and transit priority.


Provide dedicated space within the curb zone to accommodate trees, street furniture, vendors, cycle racks, and other elements.


 Add dedicated cycle lanes on both sides of the street. Separate cyclists at transit stops and provide two-stage turns at intersections to ensure cyclists  do not cross in-street rails except at near 90-degree angles. See: Cycle facilities.


Provide a minimum buffer of 0.5 m from transit in each direction to avoid conflicts between cyclists and passengers boarding the transit.


 Place transit stop amenities behind the cycle lanes to offer shelter for passengers while maintaining a continuous clear path for cyclists. See: Cycle Facilities.


 Where cycle lanes encounter transit stops, ramp lanes up to sidewalk level to allow accessible transit boarding.
Provide distinct markings on cycle lanes at transit stops to indicate crossing paths with transit passengers.


Restrict loading and deliveries to off-peak hours.



Budapest, Hungary


Adapted by Global Street Design Guide published by Island Press.

Example 3: 35 m

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Example 3: 35 m