Complete Streets for Louisiana Louisiana Transportation Conference 2011 Ellen W. Soll, AICP Planner Burk-Kleinpeter, Inc esoll@bkiusa.com 504.486.5901 x143
What is a Complete Street?
What are Complete Streets? Complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities must be able to safely move along and across a complete street
What does a complete street look like? One size doesn t fit all A complete street in a rural area will look different from a complete street in an urban area. Both are designed to balance safety and convenience for everyone using the road.
Residential Streets don t need pavement markings PBIC Image Library Dan Burden 2006
While urban areas might have a lot PBIC Image Library Laura Sandt 2009 6
In rural areas, paved shoulders might complete streets PBIC Image Library Dan Burden 2006 7
while bike lanes and sidewalks could complete a street in a suburban area PBIC Image Library Dan Burden 2006 8
What is a Complete Streets Policy? Complete Streets Movement Nationally, over 200 places have a Complete Streets Policy Policies can be resolutions, ordinances, state laws or administrative policies All transportation projects will accommodate all users Not a mandate for retrofit Not a new concept (LA DOTD and others build sidewalks, bike lanes and shoulders already)
Federal Policy FHWA Memorandum: February 24, 1999 Routine Accommodation Specified new projects, but noted that substantial safety or cost were possible reasons for exception http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/memo.htm
Federal Policy Design Guidance Accommodating Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel: A Recommended Approach (February 28, 2000) "Due consideration : a presumption that bicyclists and pedestrians will be accommodated in the design of new and improved transportation facilities. Assume bicyclist and pedestrians are present everywhere they are allowed.
Federal Policy Design Guidance Accommodating Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel: A Recommended Approach (February 28, 2000) Exceptions prohibited by law from using the roadway cost would be excessively disproportionate to the need or probable use absence of need http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/design.htm
Federal Policy Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation (March 11, 2010) 1. Consider walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes 2. Ensure transportation choices for people of all ages and abilities 3. Go beyond minimum design standards 4. Integrate bicycle and pedestrian accommodation on new, rehabilitated, and limited access bridges
Federal Policy Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation (March 11, 2010) 5. Collect data on walking and biking trips 6. Set mode share targets for walking and bicycling and tracking them over time 7. Remove snow from sidewalks and shared use paths 8. Improve non motorized facilities during maintenance projects http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/policy_accom.htm
AASHTO Not Just But Also
Complete Streets Some great reasons to do it
10. For the environment BKI, 2008
9. Supports Economic Development From Baton Rouge DDD
8. For our Health www.neworleans.com
7. Because pedestrians and bicyclists are already there! BKI, 2008
7. Because pedestrians and bicyclists are already there! BKI, 2008
6. Mobility for the elderly Dan Burden, 2006 PBIC Library
5. Mobility for people with disabilities Photo by BKI, 2010
4. For the kids
3. Safety and convenience for transit users BKI, 2010
3. Safety and convenience for transit users BKI, 2010
2. Safety for pedestrians BKI, 2008
1. Safety for all modes Bob Boyce, 2009 PBIC Library
Complete Streets A Reality Check?
Complete Streets is not a silver bullet! Land Use Issues Suburban sprawl www.smartgrowthamerica.org
Complete Streets is not a silver bullet! Access management Existing driveways BKI, 2008
Complete Streets doesn t have to mean big $$$$
Complete Streets Louisiana s Policy
Louisiana s Story State Bike & Ped Plan 2008 2009 Fall 2009 Work Group Formed Spring 2010 Final Report Act 618 Fall 2010 Summer 2009 SCR 110 Winter 2010 Draft Report Summer 2010 Policy Adopted
Work Group Members Public Health Advocates AARP The Advocacy Center Governor s Office of Elderly Affairs Office of Aging and Adult Services Louisiana Department of Education Bicycle Advocates (represented by Baton Rouge Advocates for Safe Streets) Louisiana Department of Public Health Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum Louisiana Council on Obesity Prevention and Management Louisiana Public Health Institute Pennington Biomedical Research Center Tulane University Prevention Research Center Governance Planning/Engineering Louisiana Municipal Association Louisiana Police Jury Association Metropolitan Planning Commissions (represented by NORPC) Office of the Lieutenant Governor Center for Planning Excellence Louisiana Engineering Society Louisiana Realtors Association American Society of Landscape Architects American Planning Association University of New Orleans, Center for Urban and Public Affairs Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development [Eight Sections Participating]
Louisiana s Complete Streets Policy BKI, 2009
Louisiana s Complete Streets Policy Is available online at: http://www.dotd.la.gov/administration/polici es/signed_complete_streets_policy_2010071 8.pdf Available online at: http://www.dotd.la.gov/administration/policies/signed_complete_streets_policy_20100718.pdf
Louisiana s Complete Streets Policy Sets a vision Includes all users Creates a network Applies to all transportation projects & phases Grants exceptions with management approval Uses latest design standards & is flexible Is context sensitive Sets performance standards Includes implementation steps 42
Pedestrian Facilities On all new and reconstruction roadway projects that serve adjacent areas with existing or reasonably foreseeable future development or transit service, LDOTD will plan, fund and design sidewalks and other pedestrian facilities. The appropriate facility type will be determined by the context of the roadway.
Bicycle Facilities On all new and reconstruction roadway projects, LDOTD will provide bicycle accommodations appropriate to the context of the roadway in urban and suburban areas, bicycle lanes are the preferred bikeway facility type on arterials and collectors. The provision of a paved shoulder of sufficient width, a shared use trail or a marked shared lane may also suffice, depending on context.
Exceptions Facilities, such as interstates, where bicyclists and pedestrians are prohibited by law from using the roadway. In this instance, a greater effort may be necessary to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians elsewhere within the same transportation corridor.
Exceptions The cost of providing bicycle and pedestrian facilities would be excessively disproportionate to the need or probable use. Excessively disproportionate is defined as exceeding twenty percent (20%) of the cost of the project.
Exceptions Other factors where there is a demonstrated absence of need or prudence. For example, in rural areas or undeveloped areas where future development is not anticipated, sidewalks and designated bikeways will generally not be provided.
Exceptions On projects that are preservation only, LDOTD will only consider improvements that do not require right of way acquisition, utility relocation, or major construction to provide bicycle or pedestrian accommodations, such as relocating or enclosing roadside drainage. Retrofits such as narrowing lanes, restriping and other means of providing improved bicycle and pedestrian access shall be considered on preservation projects. When an identified need or candidate requires right of way acquisition, utility relocation, or major construction, LDOTD will work with local government to identify funding for the identified need as a separate project.
Exceptions Maintenance for sidewalks and bicycle paths outside the limits of the curb or shoulder will be the responsibility of the local jurisdiction. Maintenance agreements will be required as a provision of the entire project.
Exceptions require approval! Exceptions for not accommodating bicyclists, pedestrians and transit users in accordance with this policy will require the approval of the LDOTD Chief Engineer. For exceptions on Federal aid highway projects, concurrence from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) must also be obtained. For exceptions in an urbanized area, concurrence from the MPO must also be obtained.
Implementing Policy Or Where do we go from here?
Implementation 1. Re structure the procedures 2. Re write the design manuals 3. Re train the planners and engineers 4. Re tool measures to track outcomes
Re structure the procedures Add bicycle/pedestrian checklist to Stage 0 Process
Re write the Design Manuals New Draft AASHTO Bicycle Guide Available
Re Train the Planners and Engineers Designing for Bicycles and Pedestrians Workshops In New Orleans every spring since 2006 Baton Rouge 2008 Ruston 2009 Alexandria 2010 Next opportunity: April 18 through 20, 2011 at Regional Transportation Management Center in New Orleans New Orleans RPC 2008
Re Tool the Measures to Track Bicycle Suitability Map Update Will evaluate the state bicycle network St. Claude Avenue in New Orleans Study showed 57% increase in number of bicycle riders after bike lanes installed Outcomes
Ellen W. Soll, AICP Planner Burk-Kleinpeter, Inc esoll@bkiusa.com 504.486.5901 x143