B4.5.4 Vehicle tracking, servicing and turning spaces

All development proposals must be supported by swept path analysis (vehicle tracking), carried out on the detailed drawings of the intended development layout. It must be demonstrated through vehicle tracking that a designated vehicle (for example, fire appliance or refuse vehicle currently in use) can utilise the street with the tracking speed to be 5 mph below the normal design speed for the street, and due account must be taken of reverse curves. Junction radii must be appropriate to the carriageway widths of the street type, and must align to the Street Hierarchy (List 3).

Vehicle tracking should be considered during the design process but should not dictate the entire carriageway layout. Vehicle tracking should be used to reduce the dominance of the carriageway by ensuring kerblines do not rigidly follow vehicle paths, but also respond to building lines and other site features.

As a general design principle, development proposals and layouts should seek to minimise the requirement for vehicles to make turning and reversing manoeuvres. Turning areas should be designed to integrate seamlessly with the street scene. The layout should not be treated solely as a functional turning space but should also provide an attractive and welcoming environment where vehicles can safely turn. Soft landscaping should be incorporated to ensure that hard highway surfacing does not dominate the space. Whilst narrowing junction radii can help to reduce vehicle speeds, 90 degree corners with a kerb upstand should be avoided, as these can accumulate detritus and are difficult for street cleaning purposes.

It must be demonstrated through vehicle tracking that a designated vehicle (such as a fire appliance or refuse vehicle currently in use) can utilise the street with the tracking speed to be 5mph below the normal design speed for the street, and due account must be taken of reverse curves.