12.

0
Circulation Design
12.1 Intent
12.2 General Standards
12.3 Motorized Facility Standards
12.4 Nonmotorized Facility Standards
12.5 Connectivity and Block Structure Design
12.6 Landscaping of Circulation Elements

12.1 Intent
Circulation not only provides for the movement and
connectivity of pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles, but it
also has a significant role in establishing the character of
This street is occupied by primarily by bikes and
the Public Realm and forming the structure of vibrant pedestrians. (pedbikeimages.org/Dan Burden)
neighborhoods. The design of each piece of the system
contributes to prioritizing pedestrians and bicycles over
vehicles while providing adequate functionality for
vehicular needs. Circulation design creates
comfortable, safe and interesting spaces for all i.e.
universal design, which welcomes all including young
and old, able-bodied and disabled. As the Circulation
Facilities network is completed, it will improve mobility
in this part of the City including access to nearby transit
and complete the street grid and nonmotorized facilities
available to the public in this part of the City.
Circulation networks should be accessible to all users.
Circulation Facilities function not only as a means of (pedbikeimages.org/Laura Sandt)
movement but also a place for informal gathering and
social interaction. Urban elements, such as lighting,
street furniture, landscape and signage, create an
ambiance that encourages these various uses.
Infrastructure and utilities should be incorporated in a
manner to minimize their impact or contribute to the
urban design goals, rather than driving the design,
dominating the Public Realm, or detracting from
Pedestrian Friendliness. The following Standards
cover a continuum of facilities and make no distinction Visual clues help guide all modes of transportation.
between public and private facilities. These Design (pedbikeimages.org/Dustin White)
Standards support the Development Standards found in
Chapter 6, Circulation Facilities.

Design Standards: 12.0 Circulation Design

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Updated Ord 2773, 07-27-16,Ord 2754, 12-22-15
12.2 General Standards
A. Multiple Routes. Multiple routes should be
provided to each land use and building. On-site
connections should be configured to allow multiple
routes to any destination and to minimize, for
vehicular routes, the length and number of queuing
lanes needed for signalized intersections.

B. Universal Design. A circulation system shall be

established that creates comfortable, safe and
interesting spaces for all, including the young and
Private facilities shall be designed as public facilities
old, able-bodied and disabled. including wide sidewalks, landscaping and amenities.
(meganbown.blogspot.com)
C. Visual Cues. The function of the Circulation
Facilities should be readily apparent to the user
through its appearance, design, and other non-
verbal tools. Signal transitions to drivers when they
are entering a shared or pedestrian priority space.
For instance, changes in materials (type, color,
texture) to draw drivers attention to pedestrian
crossings, narrow travel lanes where drivers need to
slow down, vertical or horizontal treatments, more
detailed materials or art at important pedestrian
intersections.
Narrower travel lanes tend to slow vehicular traffic
D. Public vs. Private Facilities. Public and private making it more comfortable for cyclists to ride in the
Circulation Facilities should be designed so there is travel lane. (pedbikeimages.org/Dan Burden)
no perceived distinction between them. Private
circulation may require easements to the City to
maintain utilities, access, pedestrian connections,
etc.

E. Multi-functionality. A variety of Circulation

Facilities should be provided that accommodate the
multiple functions that may occur such as
connectivity, recreation, passive use, informal
gathering, and stormwater.

12.3 Motorized Facility Standards

A. Motorized Facility Design. Circulation Facilities,
especially the motorized elements, should be
designed to contribute to, rather than driving the
design and dominating or detracting from, a
pedestrian-friendly, small scale, mixed-use urban
environment.
Median refuges provide additional safety for cyclists and
pedestrians. (pedbikeimages.org/Carl Sundstrom)

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B. Minimum Pavement. Vehicular routes should be
designed with minimum paving, to minimize
automobile speeds, and provide adequate
functionality.

C. Pedestrian Safety Measures. Pedestrian safety

measures should be incorporated, where
appropriate, such as changes in paving, narrowing
or strategic necking down of roads, pedestrian
tables, etc. Selected pedestrian safety measures Nonmotorized facilities, such as this one, should be
should minimally impact emergency and possible wide enough to serve all users and access multiple
locations. (pedbikeimages.org/DanBurden)
transit vehicle use of the Circulation Facilities
through placement and design.

D. Driveways. Minimize the number and width,

without compromising functionality, of driveways
especially into parking facilities, alleys, autocourts,
drop-off areas, and similar secondary vehicular
facilities serving any uses.
1. The wings of the drive shall accommodate
the appropriate turning radius for private
vehicles based on adjacent roadway uses.
For instance, for roads with bike lanes, on- This pedestrian friendly intersection incorporates
street parked cars, etc create a virtual landscaping and lighting, bulbouts and clear markings
radius such that smaller wings accommodate making pedestrians feel safe. (pedbikeimages.org/Carl
the turning radius. Whereas roads without Sundstrom)
these facilities must accommodate the
turning radius behind the curb.
2. Where larger vehicles must use the driveway,
such as fire trucks, garbage trucks, moving
trucks, a larger turning radius will be
accommodated with the use of rolled curb
and concrete or other drivable surfaces
where the planting strip would typically be
located. In addition, this area of additional
concrete as well as the sidewalk must be
constructed with a depth and section to
accommodate the vehicle weight without
degrading the facility. The length of rolled
curb will be determined based on the large
truck radius(es) likely present and the
presence or absence of a virtual radius.
3. Behind the sidewalk, a stripe(s) shall be used
to clearly delineate the lanes and where
drivers should locate their vehicles to allow
entering and exiting cars to pass
simultaneously. Wide sidewalks allow for plenty of pedestrian activity,
landscaping and other amenities that result in a
successful public realm.
Design Standards: 12.0 Circulation Design
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Updated Ord 2773, 07-27-16,Ord 2754, 12-22-15
 4. Per Chapter 12.0 Circulation Design, Section
12.4 Nonmotorized Facility Standards, E.4
regarding Pedestrian Crossings, sidewalks
shall stay at a constant grade as they cross the
driveway. In addition, behind the sidewalk,
the driving surface shall remain high to avoid
high centering vehicles crossing the walk.
5. Construct driveway per Chapter 6.0
Circulation Facilities 6.4 Circulation Facility This street is occupied by primarily by bikes and
Classification Standards, K. Urban Driveway pedestrians. (Pedbikeimages.org/DanBurden)
Standard (Street Standard T-06A).

E. Street Intersections. Street intersection landings

may be modified for low volume street
intersections. The modification should consider the
benefits of a reduction in maximum and average
road grade in relation to the benefits of the landing.

12.4 Nonmotorized Facility Standards

Protected transit shelters provide protection against bad
A. General Standard. Nonmotorized routes should weather and encourage transit ridership.
be designed to serve walkers, joggers, and cyclists
and other nonmotorized forms of transportation
and connect activity centers such as parks, schools,
commercial centers, libraries and high density
housing and the regional recreational trail system.

B. Pedestrian Friendliness. Pedestrian Friendliness

should be improved by creating or improving
intersections with pedestrian elements on bounding
Circulation Facilities. This might include signalized
intersections, medians in unneeded turn lanes or
lane width, pedestrian refuges, or signal timing.
The upper levels of this mixed use building are set
Collaborate with other jurisdictions, as necessary. back to improve the ground level pedestrian feel.
(Pedbikeimages.org/Laura Sandt)
C. Sidewalk Width. Provide wider sidewalks and
pedestrian facilities where there is likely to be more
activity, such as adjacent to retail, restaurants,
gathering spaces.

D. Pedestrian Routes. Pedestrian routes should be

continuous and be consistent with the Circulation
Facility type and site location. For instance, curb
ramps should be in line with the route of pedestrian
travel, pedestrians should not have to randomly
switch sides of the road. Open, low fences may be Through-block connections, such as this one, provide
constructed at the outside edge of pedestrian multiple and convenient pathways for pedestrians.
(Pedbikeimages.org/Dan Burden)
circulation facilities, such as a trail border or

Design Standards: 12.0 Circulation Design

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 sidewalk. Fences may not be located within
required landscape.

E. Pedestrian Crossings. The design of pedestrian

crossings should elevate pedestrian travel equal to
vehicular travel. Pedestrian routes shall maintain a
generally direct route. The following methods
should be used.
1. Minimize the distance pedestrians have to cross
vehicular circulation areas. Techniques might
include bulb outs, medians, refuges, or special
treatments and enhancements at intersections,
mid-block, or other pedestrian crossings.
2. Where pedestrian-only circulation facilities, such
as trails, cross vehicular circulation facilities, the
crossing shall be designed to draw the drivers
attention to the possible presence of
pedestrians. For example, these crossing might
use pedestrian tables, changes in material (e.g.
concrete, pavers; not solely paint or striping).
Raised crosswalks shall not be used.
3. A crosswalk composed of materials that are
permanent and visually distinctive from parking
lot paving, including but not limited to materials
or techniques such as concrete, aggregate,
paving stones, and pavement imprinting, shall
be required whenever a walkway crosses any
driveway or paved area accessible to vehicles.
4. Where pedestrian facilities cross driveways,
alleys, autocourts, drop-off areas, and similar
secondary vehicular facilities, all grade transition
shall occur in the planter strip area and outside
of the sidewalk area or pedestrian route. The
sidewalk or trail shall be continuous, with no
perceived grade change.

F. Transit Support. Circulation Facilities should be

designed to support and ease connections to transit
oriented facilities.

G. Tree Wells. Tree wells should be used where a

more urban character is appropriate and grates may
be necessary where more intense uses are located.
When tree wells are used, it may be appropriate to
provide special paving or hardscape between tree
wells to differentiate the pedestrian route.

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 H. Bicycle Circulation System. Incrementally create
a comprehensive, safe and continuous bicycle
circulation system in accordance with the
Nonmotorized Routes and Parks Map in the
Central Issaquah Plan.

I. Bike Rails. Provide bike rails where bicyclists will

reasonably need to include stairs in their bike route.

12.5 Connectivity and Block Structure Design

A. Pedestrian Connections. Pedestrian facility
connections shall be provided at a minimum of This facility is designed for cars, buses, bikes and
pedestrians. (Pedbikeimages.org/Margaret Gibbs)
every 250 feet of street frontage when a block
exceeds 300 feet.

B. Connections to Surrounding Circulation

Facilities and Properties. Motorized and non-
motorized (including pedestrian, bicycle, and
transit) connections to adjacent streets and
properties shall be provided to create a functional
circulation system that connects to existing or
future circulation facilities.

C. Private Street Design. Private internal streets, Although a private, internal street, it is designed like a
public facility with wide sidewalks, street trees, textured
such as through a parking lot or a multifamily parallel parking and street furniture.
complex, shall replicate the character of a public (Pedbikeimages.org/Dan Burden)
street accommodating pedestrians, bicyclists,
vehicles, parking, landscaping, etc. Unless
otherwise determined by the Director, internal
streets shall be designed as an Auto Inclusive
Circulation Facility in the Circulation Facility
Standards with elements including, but not limited
to, sidewalks, street trees, landscaping, pedestrian
oriented lighting, street furniture, differing surface
materials and textures.

D. Pedestrian Curbs. Curb ramps shall maintain the This is a good example of pedestrian ramps continuing
direction of travel and point a user at the facing in the direction of pedestrian travel.
ramp, and not into a travel lane.

E. Walkway Separation. Walkways shall be physically

separated from vehicular areas by means such as a
minimum 6 grade separation, curbs, landscaping
strips, berms, while retaining pedestrian visibility.

F. Right-of way Dedication. Right-of way dedication

and improvements may be required to implement
This sidewalk is physically separated by landscaping
and a curb. Plus, the back in parking provides an
Design Standards:
additional buffer. 12.0 Circulation Design
Updated Ord 2773, 07-27-16,Ord 2754, 12-22-15 page 6 of 8
 required Circulation Facilities. When right-of-way
dedication or improvements are not required, the
Director may require modification of the proposed
site plan as needed to reserve portions of the site
for future right-of-way dedication and
improvements. Such modification of the site may
include limiting any future street right-of-way
portions of the site to non-building purposes, such
as landscaping or surface parking. See Chapter 6.0
Circulation Development Standards for Right-of-
way dedication and improvement requirements. Regular landscape maintenance is essential in
maintaining an attractive public realm.
G. Maintenance. The owner should make provisions (irrigationbyurban.com)
to maintain the adjacent right-of-way landscape in
accordance with Chapter 10.0 Landscape. On
public rights-of-way, maintenance of landscape
areas (including irrigation systems, ornamental
plantings and other landscape elements) on City
right-of-way shall be the responsibility of the
abutting property owner unless the City has
accepted maintenance responsibility for that right-
of-way. Any tree removal shall require City approval
(see Issaquah Street Standards and Specifications,
Chapter 12.04 IMC). Protected transit shelters provide protection against bad
weather and encourage transit ridership.
12.6 Landscaping of Circulation Elements (Pedbikeimages.org/Carl Sundstrom)
A. All planting areas shall contain Landscape.

B. Landscape width and planter type shall be provided

to buffer Circulation Facilities in accordance with
Section 6.4 Circulation Facility Classification
Standards.

C. Planter strips and tree wells shall be sized to

accommodate the mature size of the tree or
adjacent uses, such as rain gardens or caf seating.
See Chapter 10.0 Landscape. This street landscaping is integrated with the
architecture and appropriately sized.
D. Landscape should be integrated with the
surrounding context including Circulation Facilities,
buildings, Public Space and appropriate setbacks.

E. Landscape within and adjacent to Circulation

Facilities shall be selected and maintained so as to
avoid situations that would be hazardous to safety,
visibility and clearances of users.

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F. All pruning shall be done in accordance with the
most recently adopted version of the International
Society of Arboriculture Standards.

G. Circulation corridor plantings shall be compatible

with adjacent landscaping in terms of irrigation and
maintenance.

H. Landscape adjacent to parallel parking should be

hardy and easily traversable by pedestrians.
Right-sized tree wells and planter strips are essential
I. Annual and colorful plantings should be to a trees health.
strategically incorporated for maximum effect.

J. Landscaping, particularly trees, should be used to

moderate a buildings height and create a sense of
pedestrian scale.

K. Green Streets should be incorporated where

feasible.

L. The City will review and be the decision-maker of Colorful plantings make this streetscape pop.
landscape designs of the public right-of-way. To aid
the applicant in achieving excellent right-of-way
landscape design, the City may require a third party
landscape professional selected by the City and
funded by the applicant. The landscape
professional may be directed to either review the
applicants landscape design or design the plan for
approval by the City.

Green streets help manage stormwater, reduce flows,

improve water quality and enhance watershed health.

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