What is a Quick-Build Project?
Street improvements can be expensive and take many years to implement. The purpose of a quick-build project is to expedite bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements along high-risk corridors. They are temporary installations and must be adjustable or reversible and can include physical and policy/program components. Some examples are protected bike lanes, painted safety zones, transit boarding islands, traffic calming using traffic delineators, traffic signs, traffic signal changes and adjustments to parking regulations.
Why do a Quick-Build Project?
Because quick builds are temporary, they can be done using more affordable materials such as paint and delineators. They also provide an opportunity for a community to "test" a new design and evaluate it's success before committing funds to make permanent improvements. Lastly, they provide an opportunity for a community to bring attention to high-injury streets and offer solutions that can be done on a much shorter timeframe than permanent construction to prevent future injuries.
Where should they be installed? Where have they been installed in other communities?
Quick-build projects are being implemented on streets that have high rates of bicycle and pedestrian collisions and injury. San Francisco has been implementing quick-build projects to help get them closer to their Vision Zero goal. San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has adopted a policy to streamline the project delivery for quick build projects and identifies specific corridors/locations for the quick-build projects (see attachment).
Who Can Build Them?
The owner of the street right-of-way must be involved in the process of designing and implementing a quick build project. In most cases this means city or county public works. The project must be reviewed and approved by the City or County Traffic Engineer to certify that it is safe for public use.
How are Quick-Build Projects Funded?
Quick-build projects are typically paid for using local funds, however, the Active Transportation Program will be accepting applications for quick-build projects in the upcoming grant cycle that will provide access to state funds. Active Transportation Program Cycle 5 applications will be due on July 15, 2020.
COVID-19 Opportunities
Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic has presented some interesting opportunities to re-think our streets. With gyms closed and most people sheltering-in-place, many communities have seen a large decrease in traffic and an increase in walking and bicycling, as residents seek safe forms of exercise. The demand for more street space to allow people to walk and bicycle while maintaining a safe distance from others has caused many cities to prioritize active transportation on certain streets.
In San Francisco, they are implementing a program called "Slow Streets" which aims to create a safe bicycle and pedestrian network through the city by reducing through vehicle traffic using temporary barriers and signage. This program is similar to quick-build projects in that it is aimed at using temporary and affordable materials to create a safer space for bicyclists and pedestrians in the existing roadway. The program differs from quick-build projects in their duration. Slow Streets are geared toward accommodating social distancing and may be taken down as health regulations relax, whereas quick-build projects are designed to stay up for a period of several years. For more information about Slow Streets visit: https://www.sfmta.com/projects/slow-streets-program
The global pandemic has forced us to evaluate our short-term and long-term health. Quick-build projects and Slow Streets provide unique opportunities to adapt our built environment to meet our current needs and potentially lead to permanent safety improvements.
Transportation Agency staff encourages jurisdictions in Monterey County to consider implementing these programs and applying for Active Transportation Program funding.