Complete Streets News – March 2012
03/22/12
COMPLETE STREETS POLICY PROGRESS
States Make Progress in Early 2012
Quick Takes: Policy Action
Federal Policy Update
COALITION NEWS
Coalition Workshop Puts Deerfield Beach on the Path to Success
10.4 Billion Public Transportation Trips Taken in 2011, Americans Save Hundreds of Dollars
National Coalition Joins Sierra Club for Informative Presentation
Workshops Continue in Massachusetts
COMPLETE STREETS NEWS
Momentum Growing in Houston
Quick Takes: Complete Streets Talk Across the Country
RESOURCES
Study: Increasing Physical Activity in a Low-Income African-American Neighborhood
Three Videos Communicate Walkability Message
Designing Healthy Communities with Richard Jackson
Seattle Road Diet Improves Safety
Combined Housing and Transportation Affordability Has Declined Since 2000
Funding Available: Childhood Obesity Rapid Response Fund
Funding Available: Bus and Bus Facilities Livability Initiative
Report: New Social Equity Agenda for Sustainable Transportation
Webinar: Empowering Women to Bicycle for Transportation
Video Highlights Needs of Blind and Low-Vision Pedestrians
Registration Open for Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2012
Rail~Volution 2012 Call for Speakers Opens
QUOTES
COMPLETE STREETS POLICY PROGRESS
States Make Progress in Early 2012
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) highlighted some of the ways it is
implementing its 2008 Complete Streets policy on the Coalition's blog this month. Caltrans
promotes Complete Streets implementation through its design guidance: the Complete
Intersections Guide, which identifies actions that will improve safety for pedestrians and
bicyclists at intersections and interchanges, came out last year, and an upcoming revision of the
Highway Design Manual will include significant updates that move the Department's Complete
Streets work ahead. Caltrans also noted some of its recent projects that follow a Complete
Streets approach.
http://www.completestreets.org/policy/state/caltrans-is-completing-the-streets/
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Complete Streets News – March 2012
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/survey/pedestrian/Complete-Intersections-A-Guide-toReconstructing-Intersections-and-Interchanges-for-Bicyclists-and-Pedestirans.pdf
We also turned our attention to California late last month, when we released our report, It’s a
Safe Decision: Complete Streets in California, documenting Complete Streets success stories in
communities across the state. Representative Doris Matsui (CA-5), one of the Congressional
sponsors of a federal Complete Streets policy, gathered with local leaders in Sacramento to
celebrate the report's findings and to call for a national Complete Streets policy to make streets
safer for everyone. Read more about the event and the report on our blog.
http://www.completestreets.org/webdocs/resources/cs-in-california.pdf
http://www.completestreets.org/resources/complete-streets-success-stories-focus-of-newreport/
The Minnesota Department of Transportation recently updated its Complete Streets
implementation work plan with new attention to the state's growing population of older adults,
achieving better public health outcomes, and creating even safer streets for everyone. The DOT
also put together a resources list that provides a general overview of plans, policies, and
guidelines related to Complete Streets that are relevant to Minnesota communities.
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/completestreets/workplan.html
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/completestreets/docs/csresourceslist.pdf
The New Jersey Department of Transportation offered a Complete Streets training to its 42
newly hired Civil Engineers in Training, and plans to bring more training opportunities across
the state this year. Offering ongoing education opportunities is one of the Coalition's key steps
to successful implementation, and New Jersey is among the first agencies to ensure its new
hires get up to speed on the concept and goals.
http://njwalksandbikes.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/breaking-news-njdot-kicks-off-completestreets-workshops/
Complete Streets bills are moving ahead in Rhode Island this legislative session. Backed by
AARP Rhode Island and the Coalition for Transportation Choices, S2131 and H7352 would build
upon existing state statutes to require a Complete Streets approach on all state Department of
Transportation projects. The Senate approved its bill in late February referred it to the House
for consideration. The companion House bill has been scheduled for a hearing by the House
Municipal Government Committee in early April.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText12/SenateText12/S2131.pdf
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText12/HouseText12/H7352.pdf
A Complete Streets bill, HB 4074, gained some traction in the West Virginia State Legislature
this session. An amended version of the bill, sponsored by Delegate Nancy Guthrie, passed the
House Committee on Transportation before heading to the House Finance Committee, where it
ultimately stalled. Supporters such as AARP West Virginia and the Morgantown Pedestrian
Safety Board are likely to continue pressing for a state law in future sessions.
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Complete Streets News – March 2012
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2012_SESSIONS/RS/amendments/HB4074%20H
R_T%20AM%202-8.htm
Quick Takes: Policy Action
 City staff rode with roughly a dozen youths on an 8.5-mile route through Baldwin Park,
California to hear their recommendations for bicycle-related improvements that could
be made as the city's Complete Streets policy is implemented. (San Gabriel Valley
Tribune http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_20006310)
 Advocates in Chicago question whether the city or the state followed their Complete
Streets policies in redesigning Fullerton Parkway. (Grid Chicago
http://gridchicago.com/2012/complete-streets-policy-what-complete-streets-policy/)
 An April 16 Complete Streets Summit in Buffalo, New York will highlight the importance
of implementing the Complete Streets policy adopted by the city, and draw on examples
of national best practices through a panel of experts. (Buffalo BusinessFirst
http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/morning_roundup/2012/03/improvingbuffalos-streetscape-topic.html?page=all)
 Charlotte, North Carolina Department of Transportation officials met with ParkWoodlawn residents to discuss how to encourage future development while minimizing
additional automobile traffic, focusing on creating walkable developments. (South
Charlotte Weekly http://www.thecharlotteweekly.com/news/2012/03/avoidingproblems-on-park/)
 Building on its Complete Streets philosophy, the City of Manistique, Michigan is
applying for a “Community for a Lifetime” designation to reflect its commitment to
creating a community for people of all ages. (Escanaba Daily Press
http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/535463/Manistique-applies-for-Lifetime--designation.html?nav=5003)
 Airport Boulevard in Austin, Texas is getting a major facelift in line with the city's
Complete Streets policy and ongoing development along the corridor. (KUT Austin
http://www.kutnews.org/post/what-are-citys-plans-airport-boulevard)
 Edmonds, Washington is putting its June 2011 Complete Streets ordinance to work with
a project on Main Street. (Edmonds Patch http://edmonds.patch.com/articles/first-lookmain-street-improvements-between-fifth-and-sixth-avenues#photo-9258140)
 Jeffrey Tumlin, a Principal at Coalition Partner firm Nelson\Nygaard Consulting
Associates, urged the City of Spokane, Washington to rethink how it used its
transportation dollars and implement its Complete Streets policy to save money and
improve economic vitality. (Spokesman-Review
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/mar/05/transportation-expert-urges-citiesto-think/)
Federal Policy Update
The National Complete Streets Coalition applauds the passage of the Senate’s bi-partisan
surface transportation authorization bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-
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Complete Streets News – March 2012
21). MAP-21 makes significant progress in ensuring the safety of users of the transportation
system, and the Coalition urges the House to follow by passing their own bi-partisan bill.
http://www.completestreets.org/policy/federal/national-complete-streets-coalition-applaudspassage-of-senate-transportation-authorization-bill/
The final bill includes a measure for the safe accommodation of all users in federally-funded
street projects that received bi-partisan support while in committee. The bill also for the first
time clearly defines ‘road users’ as including people who walk and bicycle and use public
transportation, as well as people with disabilities and older adults. We thank the Senate for
working to identify small ways to fully integrate all users of the roadway in the complex arena
of federal transportation law.
http://www.completestreets.org/policy/federal/senate-committee-unanimously-approvessafe-streets-amendment/
Other members of the National Complete Streets Coalition are sharing more details on their
take on the bill. See ongoing analysis from Transportation for America and America Bikes.
http://t4america.org/blog/
http://americabikes.org/transportation2012/
COALITION NEWS
Coalition Workshop Puts Deerfield Beach on the Path to Success
Two of our Workshop Instructors, Jeff Riegner and Kristin Bennett, headed down to Deerfield
Beach, Florida to facilitate a Complete Streets Policy Development Workshop. In the morning,
the team gave several presentations on Complete Streets policy and implementation practices
and led small group discussions. That afternoon, participants set to work, writing the first
pieces of a Complete Streets policy that would best serve the community. The workshop was
made possible through a partnership with Smart Growth America, which received a five-year
Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency’s Office of Sustainable Communities.
http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/2012/02/27/deerfield-beach-participates-in%E2%80%9Ccomplete-streets%E2%80%9D-policy-workshop-with-help-from-smart-growthamerica/
10.4 Billion Public Transportation Trips Taken in 2011, Americans Save Hundreds of Dollars
The American Public Transportation Association, a Steering Committee member, reports that
Americans took 10.4 billion trips on public transportation in 2011, the second highest annual
ridership since 1957. And, in its monthly “Transit Savings Report”, APTA reports that citizens
from Las Vegas to New York City are saving over $750 per month by taking transit rather than
driving a car, adding up to annual savings topping $9000.
http://apta.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/2012/Pages/120312_2011Ridership.aspx
http://www.apta.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/2012/Pages/120111_TransitSavingsReport.a
spx
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Complete Streets News – March 2012
National Coalition Joins Sierra Club for Informative Presentation
On Thursday, March 1, the National Complete Streets Coalition joined Complete Streets
advocates from Rhode Island and Minnesota chapters of the Sierra Club to discuss the basics of
Complete Streets; policy adoption campaigns; and ensuring implementation. Check out the
summary and links to the presentations from Rachel Butler of the Sierra Club.
http://sierraclub.typepad.com/compass/2012/03/complete-streets-beyond-oil.html
Workshops Continue in Massachusetts
The Coalition continues to work with Silver Partner T.Y. Lin International and the Massachusetts
Department of Transportation to deliver focused 3-hour primers and 6-hour workshops across
the state of Massachusetts. These workshops help municipal officials, local leaders, decision
makers and consultants to value and understand the framework to deliver Complete Streets
locally. The free 3-hour sessions focus on the benefits of Complete Streets and implementation
strategies. The 6-hour workshops, available at a low cost, feature more technical discussions.
Both are eligible for AICP credit. For more information, visit the online workshops schedule or
email info@baystateroads.org.
http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2012/03/massdot-hosts-complete-streetworkshops.html
http://baystateroads.eot.state.ma.us/workshops/
COMPLETE STREETS NEWS
Momentum Growing in Houston
Everyone from the state AARP Chapter to Houston Tomorrow to Catholic Charities has joined
together to form the new Houston Complete Streets Coalition – and the topic is hot. Dan
Burden visited last month and proclaimed “the worst sidewalk in America” to be along the city’s
Navigation Boulevard. Charlene Hunter James of AARP Texas’s executive council penned an oped highlighting the need to provide safer streets for people of all ages. The Houston Chronicle
editorial board weighed in too, saying, “Right now is the time to demand Complete Streets in
neighborhoods all across town.” And a recent study showing that many Houstonians pay more
in transportation costs than they do for housing underscored the importance of providing travel
options beyond the personal automobile.
http://www.houstoncompletestreets.org/
http://www.khou.com/news/Groups-push-to-make-Houston-more-walkable-139902503.html
http://www.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/Aging-Houstonians-want-safer-streets3404084.php
http://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-Why-we-need-Complete-Streets3359967.php
http://transportationnation.org/2012/03/15/in-houston-transportation-costs-can-outpacehousing-costs/
Quick Takes: Complete Streets Talk Across the Country
 The second annual Complete Streets for California conference, held earlier this month,
attracted a broad number of participants to energize their work, share stories, and
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Complete Streets News – March 2012
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discuss how to ensure Complete Streets become routine in the state. Presentations
from the conference are available online for your viewing. (LA StreetsBlog
http://la.streetsblog.org/2012/03/05/complete-streets-conference-wrap-penalosapapandreou-look-to-l-a-s-future/), http://lewis.ucla.edu/content/completestreets-2012presentations
The Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, which creates transportation policy
for the Broward County, Florida, has kicked off its Complete Streets Initiative in
partnership with the Broward Regional Health Planning Council. http://www.deerfieldbeach.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=1038
Georgia Complete Streets advocates have found a new supporter in State Senator Butch
Miller, who has committed to working toward a Complete Streets policy for the state.
http://georgiabikes.org/index.php/blog/231-sb-468-from-single-file-to-complete-streets
New York State Senator Jack Martins issued a call for a more "complete" Hempstead
Turnpike, in line with the state's Complete Streets legislation, in an opinion piece in the
Mineola Patch. http://mineola.patch.com/articles/a-smarter-turnpike
A report documenting pedestrian fatalities in Nassau County, New York has Complete
Streets advocate Sandi Vega hoping for new Complete Streets policies to address the
issues on the roadway where her teenage daughter and several others were killed.
(Wantagh-Seaford Patch http://wantagh.patch.com/articles/mother-of-pedestrianfatality-victim-hoping-new-transportation-report-will-spark-change)
After completing the Lancaster Health Improvement Project report, planners in
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania are recommending the adoption of a Complete Streets
policy. (Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/587363_Lancaster-County-eyes-less-autouse.html)
The City of San Antonio credits its new Complete Streets policy and other built
environment initiatives for its ranking in Men’s Fitness Magazine as 25th most fit city in
the nation. (KSAT San Antonio http://www.ksat.com/news/SA-joins-list-of-25-most-fitcities/-/478452/8915126/-/eml9haz/-/)
Responding to a New York Times Room for Debate question on how to make cities safer
for people on bikes and foot, renowned urban planner Peter Calthorpe called for
Complete Streets designs.
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/02/27/reducing-traffic-fatalities-forcyclists-and-pedestrians/it-starts-with-better-design
Complete Streets Workshop Instructor Cynthia Hoyle visited Muncie, Indiana recently to
discuss Complete Streets and help launch a local campaign to improve the city's streets.
(Muncie Star Press
http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20120221/NEWS01/202210333/How-didpedestrian-cross-street-)
Steering Committee member, Workshop Instructor, and Principal at SvR Design
Company (a Coalition Platinum Partner) Tom von Schrader discusses the change in
street design to favor a more balanced, multimodal, and environmentally friendly
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Complete Streets News – March 2012
approach in the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.
http://www.djc.com/news/en/12038207.html
RESOURCES
Study: Increasing Physical Activity in a Low-Income African-American Neighborhood
A recent study from The Prevention Research Center at Tulane University investigated how
changes to community, including a walking path and a new school playground, would effect the
rates of physical activity in a low-income African-American neighborhood in New Orleans.
Researchers concluded that “built environment changes, such as easily accessible paths that
lead to destinations, can provide more opportunities for physical activity in primarily African
American neighborhoods and others where infrastructure has been allowed to fall into
disrepair or was not initially installed.”
http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2012/11_0165.htm?s_cid=pcd9e57_e%22%3EEffect%20of%20
Changes%20to%20the%20Neighborhood%20Built%20Environment%20on%20Physical%20Activ
ity%20in%20a%20Low-Income%20African%20American%20Neighborhood
Three Videos Communicate Walkability Message
With funding from the Martin County, Florida Community Redevelopment Agency, the
Walkable and Livable Communities Institute has created three short educational videos to help
the general public understand the basics of walkability, road diets, and head-out angled
parking. You can find links to all the videos online.
http://vimeo.com/user10060178
Designing Healthy Communities with Richard Jackson
A 4-hour PBS series, hosted by Richard Jackson, MD, MPH, examines the impact of our
communities' design on key public health indices such as obesity and heart disease. Dr. Jackson
discusses the negative affects and what communities are doing to improve their built
environments. DVDs of the series and a companion book are available for purchase.
http://designinghealthycommunities.org/
Seattle Road Diet Improves Safety
Mayor Mike McGinn shares data demonstrating that a road diet on Nickerson Street means the
street is now safer for everyone. The project, completed in August 2010, has reduced collisions
by 23 percent, kept motorists in line with established speed limits, and has not resulted in any
traffic diversion to other streets. Seattle Fire Department Chief Gregory Dean noted, “a
reduction in the number of collisions allows for good access for emergency response vehicles,
helping firefighters and paramedics respond faster to emergency incidents.”
http://mayormcginn.seattle.gov/nickerson-street-project-improves-safety/
Combined Housing and Transportation Affordability Has Declined Since 2000
A new analysis by the Center for Neighborhood Technology shows that less than one in three
American communities are actually affordable for the typical household when you consider
transportation, as well as housing, costs. It is much for difficult for the typical household to find
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Complete Streets News – March 2012
a truly affordable home today than a decade ago, as housing and transportation costs have
outpaced incomes.
http://www.cnt.org/news/2012/02/28/national-index-reveals-combined-housing-andtransportation-affordability-has-declined-since-2000/
Funding Available: Childhood Obesity Rapid Response Fund
The American Heart Association, through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is
now offering funding through a competitive process to support promising ongoing public policy
change campaigns – including Complete Streets campaigns! These grants are to fund shortterm projects designed to provide critically timed and needed additional support to promising
campaigns. Check out the website for more information and to apply.
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/General/Eligibility-for-Funding-IntakeForm_UCM_433237_Form.jsp
Funding Available: Bus and Bus Facilities Livability Initiative
The Federal Transit Administration announced the availability of $125 million to finance capital
projects to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment and construct bus
facilities. Proposals are due by March 29, 2012.
http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/13077_14331.html
Report: New Social Equity Agenda for Sustainable Transportation
The Victoria Transport Policy Institute released a new report on the incorporation of equity and
environmental justice into transportation planning and policy. The report recommends a
framework that better considers how decisions affect the variety of transportation options
available to non-drivers.
http://www.vtpi.org/equityagenda.pdf
Webinar: Empowering Women to Bicycle for Transportation
Join the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals for a free webinar on programs and
approaches that engage, empower, and encourage women to bicycle more on a regular basis.
The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, March 28, at 3:00 pm Eastern Time.
http://www.apbp.org/events/event_details.asp?id=216133
Video Highlights Needs of Blind and Low-Vision Pedestrians
In a somewhat silly spoof of video games, a Greek film illustrates the difficulties a blind person
faces when simply trying to walk down a sidewalk. The short video notes common obstructions
such as trashcans, tree limbs, and parked cars.
http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2012/03/blind-pedestrianism-video-game/1497/
Registration Open for Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2012
Pro Walk/Pro Bike, presented by the National Center for Bicycling & Walking, and Project for
Public Spaces, will be held this September 10-13, 2012 in Long Beach, California. Pro Walk/Pro
Bike attracts hundreds of walking and bicycling professionals from the United States and
abroad to discuss their work and meet peers. Early bird registration extends through May 16.
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Complete Streets News – March 2012
https://center.uoregon.edu/conferences/NCBW/2012/registration/
Rail~Volution 2012 Call for Speakers Opens
This year's Rail~Volution, to be held in Los Angeles this October 14-17, is looking for speakers
who can share stories and information on creating vibrant, equitable, sustainable communities
with transit. Visit www.railvolution.org today to read the full Call for Speakers description and
submit a proposal to speak. Proposals are due March 30, 2012.
http://www.railvolution.org/news/item/112-call-for-speakers-now-open
QUOTES
“I know the new markings and lines look odd. They are different from what we are used to
seeing, and they represent a new way to think about streets and traffic. Streets used to be
designed just for the benefit of cars and drivers. New ways of thinking leads to streets that work
for everyone and this requires slower traffic.”
– Mayor Tim Kant, Fairhope, Alabama
http://blog.al.com/live/2012/03/some_residents_complain_about.html
“Complete Streets initiatives will begin to undo some of this damage to the built environment,
restore transportation options and provide many people at least a small measure of freedom
from the tyranny of the gas pump.”
– John Bennett, columnist, Connect Savannah
http://www.connectsavannah.com/news/article/105969/
“The argument that Muncie cannot afford complete street concepts while potholes abound is
powerful, but ultimately wrong. It's not necessary or even desirable to transform every street
into a showplace. But wherever substantial rebuilding or reconstruction is planned, adding a
bike lane or accommodating a bus pullout would not be a substantial expense.”
– Muncie Star Press editorial board
http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20120222/OPINION01/202220303
“There is a growing realization that streets should be designed more for people, not just cars.
It’s amazing how a few changes in street design can have such a positive effect on a
community’s health, safety, economy and social vitality.”
– Bryan Jones, City of Carlsbad Deputy Transportation Director
http://news.carlsbadca.gov/pr/ca/carlsbad-streets-to-become-more-229426.aspx
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