CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTIVITY STUDY

Project Description
The City of Charlotte charged Toole Design Group with identifying missing pedestrian and bicycle connections between key destinations throughout the City and suburbs, and developing design solutions for a set of projects to be used as case studies for future improvements. A comprehensive list of walking and bicycling barriers was assembled through fieldwork and an extensive public participation process that involved geographically dispersed public meetings, and walking tours with Mark Fenton, host of the PBS series America’s Walking.

The team mapped the suggested project locations as well as mobility opportunities and constraints, including existing and planned bicycle and pedestrian facilities, significant sidewalk and pathway gaps, key destinations generating pedestrian and bicycling activity, underserved residential areas, and proposed city projects that could present opportunities to improve bicycling and walking conditions.

A set of evaluation criteria was developed to prioritize the identified projects and select the top 20 to serve as connectivity case studies. Criteria included the level of need, project feasibility, diversity of geographic location and project type. Toole Design Group provided conceptual designs and preliminary construction cost estimates for the case studies. Designs included improved trails, sidewalks, on-street bike facilities, crossings and other enhancements that improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity.

Client
City of Charlotte
Haden Stanziale