Multimodal Transportation in Northeast Seattle: An Integrated Design

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Transportation planning in the United States has historically focused on reducing costs and improving efficiency of private automobile travel. In recent years, efforts have been undertaken around the world to increase the accommodation and availability of alternate modes of transportation, such as pedestrian travel, bicycle travel, and public transit – an endeavor known generally as Multimodal Transportation Planning. In Seattle, these efforts are undertaken by multiple levels of government for multiple different modes, and have resulted in rich networks of proposed multimodal improvements. The Roosevelt and Maple Leaf neighborhoods in northeast Seattle, for example, have been identified as the potential location of parts of both an extensive protected bike lane and a new RapidRide bus route. This project provides a conceptual design for the integration of these modes – as well as general pedestrian improvements – into the corridor and neighborhoods, with a focus on collaborative implementation and potential for mutual benefit (which is not always present in city-led transportation planning efforts). It does this by identifying the physical and regulatory requirements of these modes, presenting a site analysis for the area consisting of both secondary research and on-site observations, and exploring the different ways in which the modes can be integrated into the existing character and urban form of the area. The final design is presented as a full corridor site plan (and select sections) indicating specific design decisions and elements. In both its product and intent, this project serves as a sample best practice for collaborative and integrated multimodal transportation planning.