"Rightsizing is the process of reallocating a street’s space to better serve its full range of users."

You'll notice that the typical goals of rightsizing mirror those of restoring two-way streets. The following comes to us from the Project for Public Spaces. Follow the link (thanks, TF) and peruse a number of case studies that combine to make an important point: There's no reason why we can't achieve similar results in New Albany.

Yesterday: The Case Against One-Way Streets. 

---

Rightsizing Streets

The needs of our communities evolve over time, and our street design should, too. That’s the idea behind ‘rightsizing streets’ – reconfiguring the layout of our streets to better serve the people who use them, whether they’re commuters driving, shoppers walking, or children bicycling. Across the country, communities large and small are achieving impressive safety, mobility, and community outcomes by implementing such reconfigurations. Project for Public Spaces created this rightsizing resource to highlight the accomplishments of these communities and share best practices.

What is ‘Rightsizing’ a Street?

Rightsizing is the process of reallocating a street’s space to better serve its full range of users. Picture a four lane road that was built thirty years ago in an undeveloped area, but that now has housing, shops, and an elementary school in close vicinity. The needs of the community surrounding that road have changed over three decades – and the design of that road may need to change to meet those needs as well. It may need a sidewalks or a median to help people cross safely, or on-street parking for folks who want to frequent local shops, or other safety features to prevent injuries. Rightsizing a road can encompass a broad array of redesign measures, and should always be sensitive to context and the vision of the local community, but often involves some or all of the following goals and strategies:

Typical Goals

Increasing safety and access for all users
Encouraging walking, biking, and transit use
Supporting businesses and the local economy
Creating places that foster community livability

Typical Strategies

Converting vehicle travel lanes to other uses
Narrowing vehicle lanes
Adding bike lanes
Improving pedestrian infrastructure
Changing parking configuration
Adding roundabouts and medians