Improving Future of the Commonwealth\u2019s Curb

US Transportation Collection2021PDFTech ReportGonzales, Eric J.Roberts, Shannon CMehrotra, ShashankUniversity of Massachusetts at AmherstMassachusetts. Dept. of Transportation. Office of Transportation PlanningMassachusetts. Dept. of Transportation. Office of Transportation PlanningMassachusettsUnited StatesComplete streetsCurbsLoading and unloadingPedestrian safetyFocus groupsTraffic safetyZoningCOVID-19Curb managementPassenger loadingFreight delivery21-019Final Report June 2021[May 2020 - June 2021]Demands for use of the curb space (curbside lanes and the adjacent sidewalk space) are evolving quickly across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as municipalities of all sizes juggle the competing needs of pedestrians, cyclists, transit, transportation network companies (TNCs), in addition to conventional uses for parking, goods delivery, and emergency access. The problem is further complicated by the potential deployment of e-bikes, scooters, and automated vehicles. Guidance for curb management is needed for communities of all sizes across the Commonwealth where the context can vary from dense urban environments to small town centers. Whereas curb management policies in the past have typically focused on vehicles and parking, future curb policies must recognize the diverse ways that people use the curb in a multimodal transportation system. This study addresses two objectives: 1) to explore the demands on the curbside lane and identify strategies for curb management for municipalities across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and 2) to identify future demands on the curbside lane and how these demands can be accommodated. The guidance in this report is based on a review of recent literature on curb management practices and focus group interviews with stakeholders from across Massachusetts.120