South Blvd. Walking Tour (NORTH)
Charlotte Department of Transportation | April 12, 2016
Location 1
Bland Street
Location 3
Kingston Avenue
Location 2
Rensselaer Street
Location 4
East/West Blvd. Station
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Instructions
• Record your observations for each location on the sheets provided.
• Try to think about your experience along South Boulevard from a variety of
viewpoints - as a pedestrian, bicyclist, transit rider, and motorist.
• There is space for additional notes/observations at the back of the worksheet.
• Be prepared to share your thoughts with the group along the way!
• Turn in your worksheet to the tour leader after the tour is finished.
Continue the Conversation
• Lead your own walking tour with friends and family! You can download and
print this worksheet from the project website at http://charmeck.org/city/
charlotte/Transportation/PlansProjects/Pages/ArterialCorridorStudySouthBlvd-STryon-Parkwood.aspx. Please feel free to share your observations
with the contacts at the bottom of this page.
• Stay tuned for more updates on the corridor studies at the website above.
• Come to the South Boulevard & South Tryon Street Corridors Charrette
in May. You’ll have an opportunity to work with designers and City staff
who will help translate your observations into new recommendations for
improving South Boulevard. Check the website above for details.
Contact Information
Keith Hines - Corridor Study Project Manager
City of Charlotte Department of Transportation
dhines@charlottenc.gov
704-336-3913
Scott Curry - Pedestrian Program Manager
City of Charlotte Department of Transportation
spcurry@charlottenc.gov
704-432-4638
South Blvd. Walking Tour (NORTH)
Charlotte Department of Transportation | 4.12.16
Location 1
Bland Street
Walking Across South Blvd. (circle one):
•
•
•
•
•
Does the pedestrian signal have a push-to-walk button that is accessible and working properly? Y N
Does the pedestrian signal allow adequate time to cross? Y N
Does the crossing distance feel comfortable? Y N
Does the crossing have wheelchair ramps and textured panels to assist people with disabilities? Y N
Do you agree with the following statement? “This crossing is comfortable and inviting for people of
all ages and abilities.”
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
• Could anything be done to make this crossing better? (Please be specific.)
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Driver Behavior (circle one):
•
•
•
•
Do drivers appear to be obeying the speed limit? Y N
Are drivers yielding to pedestrians (especially turning drivers)? Y N
Are drivers paying attention to the road (e.g. not using a cell phone)? Y N
Do you agree with the following statement? “Driver behavior in this location is accommodating to
pedestrians and bicyclists.”
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Transit Access (circle one):
•
•
•
•
Is there safe and convenient access to bus stops? Y N
Do transit stops offer an inviting place to wait? Y N
Are there sufficient opportunities for transit riders to cross the street near transit stops? Y N
Do you agree with the following statement? “Transit stops in this area are accessible and comfortable.”
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
• Could anything be done to improve transit access? (Please be specific.)
________________________________________________________________
South Blvd. Walking Tour (NORTH)
Charlotte Department of Transportation | 4.12.16
Location 2
Rensselaer Street
Walking Across South Blvd. (pedestrian refuge island) (circle one):
• Does the crossing distance feel comfortable? Y N
• Is the crossing free of visual obstructions (parked cars, utility poles, etc.) that might block the view of
drivers? Y N
• Does the crossing have wheelchair ramps and textured panels to assist people with disabilities? Y N
• Do you agree with the following statement? “This crossing feels safer and more comfortable than it
would without the pedestrian refuge island.”
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
• Could anything be done to make this crossing better? (Please be specific.)
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Walking Along South Blvd. (west side) (circle one):
Are the sidewalks wide (at least 6 feet) and in good condition (i.e. no missing or broken panels)? Y N
Is there a sufficient buffer between sidewalks and traffic? Y N
Does the street include sufficient lighting, shade trees, and landscaping? Y N
Do the adjacent land uses add to the sense of place (identity, culture, and character) and support
pedestrian activity? Y N
• Does the form (height, setback, windows, entrances, parking location, etc.) of the adjacent buildings
support a high quality pedestrian experience? Y N
• Do you agree with the following statement? “Walking along the west side of the street is more
comfortable and inviting than walking along the retail center on the other side of the street.”
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
•
•
•
•
• Why?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
South Blvd. Walking Tour (NORTH)
Charlotte Department of Transportation | 4.12.16
Location 3
Kingston Avenue
Walking Across South Blvd. (circle one):
• Do you agree with the following statement? “I would feel safe and comfortable crossing South
Boulevard at this location.”
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
• What type of crossing treatment(s) would you recommend here? (Please be specific.)
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Bicycling (circle one):
• Which of the following best describes your approach to bicycling?
Strong & Fearless Enthused & Confident Interested but Concerned No Way, No How
• Would you feel comfortable bicycling within the roadway on a street like South Blvd.? Y N
• Would you feel comfortable bicycling within the roadway on a street like Kingston Ave.? Y N
• Would you feel comfortable bicycling on an off-street path like the Rail Trail? Y N
Rail Trail at Kingston Avenue (circle one):
• Are there convenient pedestrian/bicycle connections to the Rail Trail in this location? Y N
• Is the Rail Trail wide enough to accommodate all types of users (joggers, cyclists, strollers, dog walkers,
etc.) ? Y N
• Does the Rail Trail include sufficient lighting, shade trees, and landscaping? Y N
• Is the Rail Trail comfortable and safe for people of all ages and abilities? Y N
• Do the adjacent land uses add to the sense of place (identity, culture, and character) and support
pedestrian activity? Y N
• Does the form (height, setback, windows, entrances, parking location, etc.) of the adjacent buildings
support a high quality pedestrian experience? Y N
• Do you agree with the following statement? “The Rail Trail influences how I get around.”
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
• How do you use the Rail Trail?
________________________________________________________________
South Blvd. Walking Tour (NORTH)
Charlotte Department of Transportation | 4.12.16
Location 4
East/West Boulevard Station
Transit Access (circle one):
•
•
•
•
•
Is there safe and convenient access to bus stops? Y N
Is there safe and convenient access to nearby rail stops (i.e., the East/West Blvd. Station)? Y N
Do transit stops offer an inviting place to wait? Y N
Are there sufficient opportunities for transit riders to cross the street near transit stops? Y N
Do you agree with the following statement? “Transit stops in this area are accessible and comfortable.”
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
• Could anything be done to improve transit access? (Please be specific.)
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Rail Trail at East Boulevard (circle one):
• Are there convenient pedestrian/bicycle connections to the Rail Trail in this location? Y N
• Is the Rail Trail wide enough to accommodate all types of users (joggers, cyclists, strollers, dog walkers,
etc.) ? Y N
• Does the Rail Trail include sufficient lighting, shade trees, and landscaping? Y N
• Do the adjacent land uses add to the sense of place (identity, culture, and character) and support
pedestrian activity? Y N
• Does the form (height, setback, windows, entrances, etc.) of the adjacent buildings support a high
quality pedestrian experience? Y N
• Is it safe and comfortable to cross East Boulevard on the Rail Trail? Y N
• Do you agree with the following statement? “Today, the Rail Trail is the primary North-South bicycle
route for this area.”
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
• How should the Rail Trail be used/designed to complement transportation on South Blvd.?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
South Blvd. Walking Tour (NORTH)
Charlotte Department of Transportation | 4.12.16
General Questions
• What’s your favorite way to get around? (circle one)
Walk
Wheelchair
Bicycle
Bus
Light Rail
Car
Other_________________
• What is your favorite place to spend time along South Blvd.? Why?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
• If you could improve one location along South Blvd., where would it be and what would you do?
Where ___________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What ___________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
South Blvd. Walking Tour (NORTH)
Charlotte Department of Transportation | 4.12.16
NOTES
LOCATION _______________________________________________________
OBSERVATIONS / RECOMMENDATIONS
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LOCATION _______________________________________________________
OBSERVATIONS / RECOMMENDATIONS
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LOCATION _______________________________________________________
OBSERVATIONS / RECOMMENDATIONS
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South Blvd. Walking Tour (NORTH)
Charlotte Department of Transportation | 4.12.16