Interchanges in an Urban Environment and Complete Streets

Interchanges in an Urban Environment

This presentation will provide an overview of key principles as they relate to interchanges in an urban environment. Existing major road facilities go through several phases as traffic continues to grow, land development add traffic at existing and/or new access points, and sometimes these facilities are transitioning from a limited-access freeway to an arterial with accesses. Key principles that will be highlighted are: interchanges forms, ramp spacing, ramp terminal configurations, access along the cross road, transitions from freeway to arterial, FHWA’s initiative on alternative intersection designs, and a couple of case studies.

About the Presenter:

Hermanus Steyn, PE Principal Engineer, Kittelson & Associates

Hermanus’ functional design experience ranges from interchange design studies to local access and parking area plans. On these types of projects, Hermanus considers constructability, traffic control, and cost estimating in establishing the horizontal and vertical alignments of the roadways. He has also assessed existing geometric features; analyzed existing and future traffic volumes; developed conceptual freeway, interchange, and arterial street improvement alternatives; evaluated alternatives; facilitated public involvement; and selected the most promising options for further development. Hermanus has extensive experience designing at-grade intersections including conventional intersections, modern roundabouts, and alternative intersection designs. He understands that the context of the project and working with the community are critical components in the success of the project.

Complete Streets

More than 500 U.S. cities, counties and states have adopted “Complete Streets Policies and Ordinances.” What are complete streets? Why are they receiving such formal and prescriptive endorsement from community leaders? How might the complete streets movement influence transportation planning, design, operations, maintenance and funding in Alaska’s communities?

Kittelson & Associates’ Transportation Education Series presentation on “Complete Streets” will explore these questions and introduce technical and administrative practices that are emerging with the complete streets movement.

About the Presenter:

Mike Coleman, PE Associate Engineer, Kittelson & Associates


Mike Coleman’s transportation project management and traffic engineering career spans nearly 30 years, primarily as a steward of Portland’s rights-of-way and transportation system. Mike’s extensive experience in the daily operations of a community’s transportation system includes retrofitting existing street networks and designing new streets in response to changing land use and transportation conditions and evolving community priorities through traffic operations modifications. He also has experience preparing active transportation strategies and context sensitive complete street designs.

Event Materials