City of Upper Arlington

The study revealed that speeds of up to 55 miles per hour were occurring on a 25 miles-per-hour road. These findings highlighted an additional safety concern for pedestrians given the lack of existing sidewalks. Due to its adjacency to the local high school, Wakefield Forest became a common spot for residents to park and walk to school events. This high level of foot traffic demonstrated a need for sidewalks to ensure safer passage to and from these events. Young families in the area also expressed a desire for safer recreational activities throughout the neighborhood. In response to these concerns, the city enlisted CESO to design pedestrian improvements and traffic calming measures to improve safety as well as increase accessibility and connectivity throughout the community.

The first phase of the project involved designing 4,400 feet of sidewalks, curb ramps, driveways, and crosswalks. Incorporating these facilities provided the residents with more secure options for pedestrian travel. Phase two focused on studying various traffic calming measures through an alternative analysis. This study explored the benefits of a mini-roundabout, median islands, curb bump-outs, and converting the road to one-way. CESO collaborated with the city and engaged with the community through public involvement meetings, which guided the team’s approach to implementing the most suitable traffic calming measures.

The city’s preferred alternatives included the installation of landscaped center medians along the linear roadway sections, which narrowed the 27-foot-wide road to two 10-foot-wide lanes, promoting slower speeds. The design also involved converting the two-way intersection of Northwest Boulevard and Trentwood Road into a one-way exit to reduce cut-through traffic in the neighborhood. High-visibility mid-block crossings were also added, featuring rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) to enhance driver awareness and ensure pedestrian safety.