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Randy Neufeld National Complete Streets Coalition September 8, 2008 2
National Complete Streets Coalition Steering Committee AARP Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals Active Living by Design America Bikes America Walks American Council of the Blind American Planning Association American Public Transportation Association ASLA City of Boulder Institute of Transportation Engineers Kimley-Horn and Associates League of American Bicyclists NCBW Safe Routes to School National Partnership Smart Growth America Thunderhead Alliance 3
What is a Complete Street? A Complete Street is safe, comfortable & convenient for travel via automobile, foot, bicycle, & transit 4
What s the Problem? Americans are on the move without moving.
What is an Activity-Friendly Environment? A place that makes it easy to choose to be physically active, through planned exercise or routine daily activity.
Active Living is one answer A way of life that integrates physical activity into daily routines.
The tremendous potential Trips in metro areas: 48% - < 3 miles 28% - < 1 mile: 65% of trips under 1 mile are now taken by automobile 8
Walkable neighborhoods Residents in a highly walkable neighborhood engaged in about make a difference 70 more minutes per week of moderate and vigorous physical activity than residents in a low-walkability neighborhood. Photo: Michael Ronkin, ODOT Saelens, B. AJPH 2003
Walkable neighborhoods have a positive impact on health People who live in neighborhoods with a mix of shops and businesses within easy walking distance have a 35% lower risk of obesity. Frank, L.D., Am. J. Preventive Medicine, 2004
Public health researchers agree: Actions to encourage more physical activity: Build more sidewalks Improve transit service Shift highway funds to create bike lanes Brennan-Ramirez, L. et al. 2006. Am. J.of Preventive Medicine, Vol 31, Issue 6
We know how to build right 12
Yet too many roads still turn out like this John La Plante
or this 14
Streets are inadequate: No sidewalks
What is a Complete Streets policy? A complete streets policy ensures that the entire right of way is planned, designed & operated to provide safe access for all users. 19
What is a Complete Streets policy? A complete streets policy ensures that the entire right of way is planned, designed & operated to provide safe access for all users. 20
Complete streets policies provide for: Motorists Pedestrians Bicyclists Transit Motorists Travelers of all ages and abilities Motorists US Access Board 21
Why have a complete streets policy? To change practice, integrating the needs of all road users into everyday transportation planning practices 22
Why have a complete streets policy? To gradually create a complete network of roads that serve all users 23
Why have a complete streets policy? To shift transportation investments so they are creating better streets now. 24
CS changes intersection design 25
CS changes intersection design 26
CS changes bicycling 27
CS changes bicycling 28
CS changes life for older Americans Photos: Michael Ronkin, ODOT
CS changes transit 30
CS changes transit 31
CS changes accessibility 32
CS changes accessibility 33
Who wants Complete Streets? 55% of Americans would rather drive less & walk more Transit is growing faster than population or driving About one-third of Americans don t drive: 21% of Americans over 65. All children under 16. Many low income Americans cannot afford automobiles. 34
Complete streets and safety Medians reduce crashes by 40%
Benefits: for physical activity Residents are 65% more likely to walk in a neighborhood with sidewalks. Cities with more bike lanes per square mile have higher levels of bicycle commuting 36
Complete streets and safety Designing intersections for pedestrian travel can reduce pedestrian risk by 28%
Benefits: for physical activity One third of regular transit users meet the minimum daily requirement for physical activity during their commute
Benefits: for the wallet
Benefits for the wallet Transportation is the second-largest expense for most American households and costs are rising. Complete streets give people the option of getting out of their cars.
Complete streets and trails Streets provide access to trails Complete streets and trails can form a comprehensive nonmotorized network Complete streets take pressure off overcrowded trails
Photos: Tampa Tribune
Los Angeles CA Transforming a street
Transforming a street Narrow travel lanes, add a bike lane
Transforming a street Add a median, trees and some texture
Transforming a street Bring the buildings in closer
Transforming a street Make sure the buildings face the street
Transforming a street Bring in more buildings (infill)
Transforming a street The street now has a life
Transforming a street Thus street is safer for pedestrians
The road diet Before After East Boulevard, Charlotte NC
Reinventing the roadway: Transform a 5-lane commercial strip to Portland OR
a safer road for everyone
Streets that benefit communities Bridgeport Way, University Place, Washington University Place, WA
Benefits: streets work better Before After Edgewater Drive Orlando, FL Edgewater Drive, Orlando FL
Benefits: streets are safer 14.0 12.6 12.0 34% Reduction Crash Rate (per MVM) 10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 1 crash every 2.5 days (146 per yr) 8.4 1 crash every 4.2 days (87 per yr) 2.0 0.0 Before After
Benefits: On-Street Parking Better Utilized Parking Utilization Percentage 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 29% Before 41% After
Benefits: more people walking Number of Pedestrians 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 23% Increase 2,136 2,632 0 Before After
Benefits: more people biking 600 500 30% Increase 486 Number of Bicycles 400 300 200 100 375 0 Before After
Select Complete Streets policies across the country Illinois Oregon California Massachusetts DuPage County, IL Sacramento, CA Johnson County, IA Arlington County, VA Charlotte, NC Chicago, IL Columbus, OH Decatur, GA Ft. Collins, CO Iowa City, IA Madison, WI Roanoke, VA Salt Lake City Sacramento, CA Seattle, WA 61
Iowa City: resolution "All public street projects or public street reconstruction projects (not including maintenance) in the City of Iowa City shall be designed to accommodate travel by pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit, and motorized vehicles and their passengers with the following exceptions...
Seattle: ordinance Section 1. SDOT will plan for, design and construct all new City transportation improvement projects to provide appropriate accommodation for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and persons of all abilities, while promoting safe operation for all users, as provided for below.
Seattle: ordinance Section 2. SDOT will incorporate Complete Streets principles into: the Department's Transportation Strategic Plan; Seattle Transit Plan; Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plans; Intelligent Transportation System Strategic Plan; and other SDOT plans, manuals, rules, regulations and programs as appropriate.
Charlotte NC Transportation Action Plan The City will promote a balanced and multi-modal transportation system that serves the mobility needs of all segments of the population, accommodates all travel modes and promotes community economic development needs.
Charlotte NC Urban Street Design Guidelines Key component of the TAP Existing and Future Conditions 1. Define Land Use Context 2. Define Transportation Context Lays out a six-step multimodal planning process for use in all projects Goals and Objectives Decision-Making 3. Identify Deficiencies 5. Define Street Type and Initial Cross-Section 4. Describe Future Objectives 6. Describe Tradeoffs and Select Cross-Section
Funding measure: San Diego County Transnet Tax Extension: All new projects, or major reconstruction projects, funded by revenues provided under this Ordinance shall accommodate travel by pedestrians and bicyclists 67
Decatur s Community Transportation Plan Adopted April 7, 2008: To create a safe and efficient transportation system that promotes the health and mobility of Decatur citizens and visitors, creating better access to businesses and neighborhoods.
Putting it all together in Sacramento City: Pedestrian Friendly Street Standards County: tax ordinance Citizens: Complete Streets Best Practices Guide MPO: Multi-modal transportation plan State: Deputy Directive 64
Putting it all together in Sacramento Sacramento Area Council of Governments Urban Advantage
Putting it all together in Sacramento Sacramento Area Council of Governments Urban Advantage
Putting it all together in Sacramento Sacramento Area Council of Governments Urban Advantage
Putting it all together in Sacramento Sacramento Area Council of Governments Urban Advantage
An ideal complete streets policy Is inclusive of all modes Applies to all transportation projects Specifies and limits exceptions allowed Clarifies senior manager approval for exceptions Is context-sensitive Emphasizes connectivity Uses latest design standards & is flexible Sets performance standards
AASHTO Ped Guide
FHWA Ped Safety Action Plan
Chicago and Illinois 77
Chicago: internal policy The safety and convenience of all users of the transportation system including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, freight, and motor vehicle drivers shall be accommodated and BALANCED in all transportation and development projects and through all phases of a project SO THAT even the most vulnerable- children, elderly, and persons with disabilities- can travel safely within the public right-of-way.
Incomplete streets US 14, Cary Illinois This bridge provides the only access across the Fox River to Cary, Illinois. In 2000, 17-year-old Nate Oglesby died trying to cross it on his bicycle; two teens had died previously.
Complete streets Nate s family won a wrongful death lawsuit and the community pressed the Illinois DOT to retrofit the bridge, at far greater cost than doing it right the first time. US 14, Cary Illinois
Illinois: legislation In or within one mile of an urban area, bicycle and pedestrian ways SHALL be established in conjunction with construction, reconstruction, or other change of any state transportation facility
Not required for simple resurfacing Exceptions at the Secretary Level Safety Excessive cost Absence of need
Federal Action 84
HR 5951 The Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2008 all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users as well as children, older people, motorists, and those with disabilities, are adequately accommodated in all phases of project planning and development
S2686 and HR 5951 The Complete Streets Act of 2008 States and MPOs directed to adopt policies Specifies policy elements Apply the policies to TIP projects Incorporate complete streets principles in all aspects of project development Calls for research and data collection
Next Steps 87
Complete Streets 2-Step Institutionalize: All New Projects Target Retrofits
Where do you start? Decide where you want to focus: City Can be easiest, most focused County May control more roads MPO Can influence federal spending in many counties, but has less power 90
Where do you start? Find out who may be your best advocate such as the governor, a county council member, even a local planner 91
Where do you start? Do your homework Find out what exists already in your state and region you can build on this Find out who may be your best advocate such as the governor, a county council member, even a local planner
Where do you start? Make connections Who are your allies? Community groups, advocacy groups, neighborhood associations, the schools Bicycle advocacy groups Transit advocates Smart growth advocates Health agencies Many advocates see next slide.
National Complete Streets Coalition Steering Committee AARP Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals Active Living by Design America Bikes America Walks American Council of the Blind American Planning Association American Public Transportation Association ASLA City of Boulder Institute of Transportation Engineers Kimley-Horn and Associates League of American Bicyclists NCBW Safe Routes to School National Partnership Smart Growth America Thunderhead Alliance 94
Visit the complete streets website Sign up for Complete The Streets News Print fact sheets Download a powerpoint presentation Research existing policies
Work for a policy Distribute Fact Sheets Make presentations Write articles and blog posts Meet with your newspaper s editorial board
Work for a policy Work with elected officials Broaden support Help write a policy 97
Bring in a Complete Streets Workshop Three types of Interactive sessions: Introduction to Complete Streets Policy Development Policy Implementation Led by a pair of leading policy & engineering experts Administered by Assoc. of Bicycle & Pedestrian Professionals
Implementation: from policy to practice
An effective policy should result in: New training for planners and engineers
An effective policy should result in: Restructure procedures Existing and Future Conditions 1. Define Land Use Context 2. Define Transportation Context Goals and Objectives 3. Identify Deficiencies 4. Describe Future Objectives Decision-Making 5. Define Street Type and Initial Cross-Section 6. Describe Tradeoffs and Select Cross-Section
An effective policy should result in: Re-written design manuals
An effective policy should result in: New measures to track success Number of Pedestrians 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Parking Utilization Percentage 45% 2,136 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% Before 5% 0% 2,632 29% After Before Speeding Analysis 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 15.7% 41% 7.5% 9.8% 8.9% After 29.5% 19.6% 0.0% Before After Before After Before After North End Middle South End
Step 2: Retrofit Ped Plans, Sidewalk Inventory Bike Plans Highway Safety Improvement Plan Enhancements CMAQ, STP Streetscapes
The many types of Complete Streets
The many types of Complete Streets
The many types of Complete Streets
The many types of Complete Streets
The many types of Complete Streets
The many types of Complete Streets
The many types of Complete Streets
Indiana Pedestrian and Bicycle Fatalities
Indiana Major Moves
For more information: www.completestreets.org Illustration: AARP Bulletin