The designer is required to compile spatial information on existing transport plans, including bus rapid transit (BRT) networks, cycle networks, pedestrian networks, and pedestrian zones. The designer should also identify transport system goals that are stated in these reports.

The purpose of a topographic survey is to collect data on the project site including all the existing features. The designer should supplement the topographic survey with information on underground utility networks obtained from the client.

It is necessary to conduct detailed surveys of underground utilities to establish the location of specific utility lines and determine whether relocation is necessary. These utilities may include lines for telecommunication, electricity, natural gas, water, and sewage.

The designer should compile land use information to help inform street design decisions. A land use survey must be carried out for every building in the study area. The land use analysis should note important activity generators, such as shopping areas, theatres, and housing developments. All land use data should be recorded using a GIS platform.

Public participation aims at promoting transparency in decision making, facilitating public awareness, promoting public ownership of projects, and encouraging collaboration in governance processes. Public participation is, therefore, a key step in the street design process. The project team should inform all stakeholders of the planned developments and to seek their input into the designs.

Key to designing quality and effective non-motorised transport (NMT) network is to have an in-depth understanding of the existing walking and cycling environment, and the extent to which it provides safe, convenient access for NMT users. Street conditions can be captured using a smartphone application. The app allows a surveyor to record street characteristics and remotely upload the information to an online spreadsheet. The data from these surveys are then cleaned, mapped, and analysed to inform preliminary interventions along the surveyed streets.

Information on NMT volumes on each street can help inform the design and sizing of pedestrian and cycle facilities. There are a range applications available online which can be used for NMT counts, including Device Magic and Multiple Counter. NMT surveys should be disaggregated by gender, age, and disability.

Data obtained through a traffic survey is necessary for intersection design and signal timing optimisation. The traffic survey quantifies vehicle movements, including non-motorised user movements. Traffic surveys should be conducted during peak periods when motorised traffic is and demand for space is highest. Counts can be conducted manually on site or by video recording using cameras. The count should be categorised by vehicle type.

In most urban areas, parking appears crowded and chaotic in some areas, creating the impression of an overall shortage, yet there could be several unused parking spaces within reasonable walking distance. A parking survey reveals such imbalances, and appropriate measures can be included in the street design to improve parking efficiency on the street. A parking survey seeks to quantify current parking patterns in the project area by collecting data on the existing parking capacity and demand. Three types of surveys should be carried out:

The designer must document existing vending activity, including the type of vending and the physical typology of the vending structure (i.e. permanent or temporary structure). The location and characteristics of each vendor should be recorded using GIS.The survey also should capture social gathering spaces in the study area. This information will inform the placement of street furniture and other elements in the final design.

The designer should obtain data from the Federal Transport Authority and the police on traffic crashes over the past 3 years. The crash location, type, and users involved (i.e. pedestrian, cyclist, two wheeler, car, bus, etc) should be mapped using a GIS platform. This information will enable the designer to identify major traffic safety “black spots” and suggest traffic calming, intersection modifications, and other interventions to improve safety for vulnerable street users.

City management or relevant road authorities may be in a position to provide the available right-of-way (ROW) widths. In addition, maps showing precise, geocoded locations of the public right-of-way may be obtained.

Any existing utilities within the project area should be identified during the early stages of design. Utility providers may have information on existing utility networks. Discussions with relevant utility providers should be held to agree on any necessary relocations or on the installation of a service duct. It is advisable to maintain communication with the providers as the design progresses and also during project implementation. The designer should obtain any necessary approvals from utility providers for planned relocations.

Formulation of a complete design of the selected street/s by private consultants, government or in collaborated effort should be based on street design standards, the TOR, and RFP. The street design preparation includes at least three sub-steps: draft, final draft and final design preparation.

The first two sub-steps shall be followed by review, evaluation, and comments on the respective outputs. The final design shall address the comments on the draft and draft final outputs. The team of professionals preparing the designs shall consist of architects, landscape architects/planners’ urban planners/designers, engineers, environmentalists, sociologists, economists, and consultants of different categories as applicable.

The design of streets shall be approved by city administration and/or municipality before proceeding to construction. Urban centres could have assistance from regional and federal institutions, consultants or other bodies as applicable to have street designs reviewed and approved. The designs shall be accompanied with plans of actions, financing, funding sources and budget. Required street plans, designs, drawings and reports as applicable shall be submitted to the city administration and municipality for approval. The city administration and municipality shall have the right to reject or approve the design submitted for approval. The rejected designs shall be returned together with the reasons for the rejection. If designs could be improved comments shall be given to the designers.