Road design continues to evolve as transportation agencies respond to changing community needs, advances in design practice, and new expectations around safety, accessibility, and multimodal transportation.
To support this evolution, the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) has released Cross Section Elements: Research and Synthesis of Practice. It presents findings from an extensive review of technical and local resources from across Canada and internationally, complemented by a survey of practitioners, a virtual workshop, and interviews with professionals from both the public and private sectors.
The research found that while Chapter 4 of TAC’s Geometric Design Guide for Canadian Roads (GDG) continues to provide comprehensive guidance, several emerging practices and design considerations warrant further review in a future update.
Priority topics identified through the project include:
- Snow storage and winter design considerations
- Transit design integration
- Bicycle facility integration
- Stormwater management (low impact development)
- Complete Streets design philosophy
- Universal design and accessibility
- Lane widths
- Speed management and safety considerations
- Intelligent transportation systems
- Curbside management
The publication also identifies opportunities to strengthen guidance related to urban design considerations, lower-speed roadways, crossfall design, winter maintenance implications, and navigation between chapters of the GDG.
By documenting current practices and identifying areas for future guidance, this report provides valuable insights for transportation practitioners involved in road planning and design across Canada.