Complete Streets
It’s an exciting time in the evolution of urban areas where we are seeing more road users wanting to live healthier and more active lifestyles by way of complete streets infrastructure. However, transportation professionals must prioritize safety for those choosing to walk or bike, and we all must work toward the goal of Vision Zero to reduce, and hopefully eliminate, serious injuries and fatalities in traffic crashes.
Although transportation professionals have considered safety for decades, cities have been designed and operated to optimize mobility for vehicles since the invention of the automobile. The good news is that designing city streets has shifted toward accommodating multiple modes and thinking about safety first for all street users.
Complete streets are an integral element of implementing Vision Zero beyond transportation professionals that design roads, but also involve community groups, communications, first responders, policymakers, and city leaders in ensuring roads are designed for the needs of those using the roads. Vision Zero and complete streets use engineering, enforcement, education, engagement, equity, and evaluation to achieve increased use and safety.
Best practices and standards for designing streets, especially in urban contexts, incorporates complete streets as part of the transportation system. Transportation professionals are now designing transportation networks that designate modal priorities on individual streets to support the balanced network. Modal hierarchies are being set to further direct the design and operation of the street. These steps in the planning process set the table for creating design standards reflecting the street’s modal priority, improving safety, accessibility, and mobility.
Complete streets and how people are using streets—from bicycle parking to waiting for a ride share—are being considered by transportation professionals designing, operating, and maintaining roads. Clear steps in the planning process and setting clear design standards should reflect the equilibrium needed among modes, safety, accessibility, and mobility.
Further, incorporating equity as part of complete streets policies can ensure networks are being designed for all users, all ages, all demographics, and added to roads in neighborhoods that in turn increase access.
~ Excerpts from a May 2019 ITE Journal Article written by Mr. Marcus
