Federal Highway Administration releases updated traffic control manual

With pedestrian deaths surging nationwide, the Federal Highway Administration released a new edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.

The manual contains standards for street markings and design, standardizing signage, and making driving as seamless as possible. The new edition is the first update in 14 years.

Critics have lamented that the manual has been too focused on moving vehicular traffic as quickly as possible, sometimes sacrificing safety. The regulations have been redesigned to align with the Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, a 2022 initiative that aims to dramatically reduce traffic deaths via a multilayered “safe system” approach widely used in Europe.

The 1,000-page manual now focuses more on pedestrian and bicycling safety elements such as sidewalk markings, guidelines on cycle lane design, and features such as turn boxes and intersection safety improvements such as flashing beacons at crosswalks. The manual also includes standard signage for EV charging stations on highways.

Each year, the editors of Building Design+Construction honor 40 architects engineers, contractors, and real estate developers as BD+C 40 Under 40 awards winners. These AEC professionals are recognized for their career achievements, passion for the AEC profession, involvement with AEC industry organizations, and service to their communities.

Urban Planning | Jul 28, 2022

A former military base becomes a substation with public amenities

On the site of a former military base in the Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco, a new three-story substation will house critical electrical infrastructure to replace an existing substation across the street.

Rendering of The StackCharge Universal charging hub in Baker, Calif. Image: Courtesy of StackCharge

Urban Planning | Jul 19, 2022

The EV charger station market is appealing to investors and developers, large and small

The latest entry, The StackCharge, is designed to make recharging time seem shorter.

Sustainable Development | Jul 14, 2022

Designing for climate change and inclusion, with CBT Architects' Kishore Varanasi and Devanshi Purohit

Climate change is having a dramatic impact on urban design, in terms of planning, materials, occupant use, location, and the long-term effect of buildings on the environment. Joining BD+C's John Caulfield to discuss this topic are two experts from the Boston-based CBT Architects: Kishore Varanasi, a Principal and director of urban design; and Devanshi Purohit, an Associate Principal.

Planning for hospital campus access that works for people

This course defines the elements of hospital campus access that are essential to promoting the efficient, stress-free movement of patients, staff, family, and visitors. Campus access elements include signage and wayfinding, parking facilities, transportation demand management, shuttle buses, curb access, valet parking management, roadways, and pedestrian walkways.

Urban Planning | Apr 5, 2022

The art of master planning, with Mike Aziz of Cooper Robertson

Mike Aziz, AIA, LEED AP, Partner and Director of Urban Design with Cooper Robertson, discusses his firm's design for the redevelopment of a Connecticut town's riverfront.