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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcomplete streets fact sheetThe complete streets movement aims to develop an interconnected street network that is accessible and safe for users of all ages, abilities and modes of trans- portation. Complete streets support not only changes to community streets but also a shift in the decision- making process and policies. Such policies aim to in- tegrate all users into the planning, design, construction and operation of the transportation system, and to foster commu- nity participation. A complete street could include various el- ements, like sidewalks, pedestrian refuge islands, bicycle lanes, reflective signs, accessible bus shelters or longer crossing times for pedestrians. These policies apply to new streets as well as retrofit and maintenance jobs. APHA is committed to promoting changes to the built environment that encourage active transportation, minimize disparities in mobility and ensure the safety of all transportation users. The complete streets methodology aligns with APHA's principles. Why are complete streets necessary? • In 2009, 4,092 pedestrians were struck and killed by motor vehicles, accounting for 11.4% of all transportation - related fatalities.' • A study conducted in Connecticut suggested that less than 1% of pedestrians of ages 72 and older achieved a walking speed at or above 4 feet per second, which is the speed at which they would generally have to walk in order to cross an intersection in the allotted time.' • Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death among children ages 3 to 14; in 19% of these fatalities, the children involved were pedestrians .3 How can complete streets help? • Studies have shown that bicyclist injuries and collisions with automobiles can be reduced by up to 50% by the creation of marked, on -road bike lanes .4 The construction of a raised median, curbs and sidewalks has been demonstrated to reduce the amount of time during which pedestrians are exposed to traffic, and therefore at risk of collision, by 28%.5 • Streets that are designed for pedestrian safety often provide drivers with increased safety as well.' Below are some examples of specific implementations of complete streets policies: Boulder, CO: Boulder has used performance measures in the implementation of complete streets policies over the past fifteen years. The city's goals for its streets include increasing trips made by bicycle by 4% by 2020. Boulder has consistently tracked progress towards those goals: it now hosts 300 miles of bike lanes, and bicycle trips account for 13% of total trips made! Boulder has been successful in addressing traffic congestion by pro- viding these additional options for travel. Hennepin County, MN: Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health's Statewide Health Improvement Project funded Active Living Hennepin County, an organization that supports policies emphasizing the importance of complete streets and the built envi- ronment in the promotion of physical activity and health? Hennepin was the first county in the state to adopt a complete streets policy. Nashville, TN: Complete streets were championed as a method to improve the health of Nashville's citizens. This action led the city not only to adopt an Executive Order requiring the consideration for pe- destrians, cyclists, public transit and other modes of transportation in reconstruction projects, but also to include health impact assessments (RIAs) in new transportation projects.10 New York, NY: As part of the city's com- plete streets program, the New York Department of Transportation has planned safety upgrades to the intersec- tion of 711Ave and 23' St, previously iden- tified as an area that posed a significant danger to pedestrians. Upgrades include increasing crossing time, banning certain left turns and replacing some parking spaces with a pedestrian refuge island, a transit plaza and protected tum lanes." Charlotte, NC: Charlotte has worked to inte- grate its Urban Street Design Guidelines into zoning and subdivision codes, which will require developers to follow them, ensuring a well- connected network of complete streets. These guidelines were intended to improve residents' health by reducing congestion, improving air quality and promoting physical activity.' Sources: 1 Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Transportation Statistics Annual Report, 2010. 2 Lauglois,JA., Keyl, P.M., Guralnik,JM., Foley, D.J. Maratioli, R.A., and Wallace, R.B. 1997. Characteristics of older pedestrians who have difficulty crossing the street. American Journal of Public Health: 87, 39.3-397. 3 National HighwayTrajfic Sajety Administration. 2009.Ttaffic Safety Facts Children. 4 Reynolds, GC. O., Harris, M.A.,Teschke, K., Cripton, PA., Winters, M. 2009. The Impact of Transportation Infrastructure on Bicycling Injuries and Crashes.A Review of the Literature. Environmental Health: 8(47). 5 King, M.R., Carnegie,JA., and Ewing, R. 2003, Pedestrian Safety Through a Raised Median and Redesigned Intersections. Transportation Research Board 1828: 56-66 6 Dumbaugg, E, Li, W. 2010. Designing for the Safety of Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Motorists in Urban Environments.Journal of the American Planning Association: 7(1). 7 http://www.reconneciiiigainerica.orc/assets/Uploads/charlottetirbaiistreeisgiiidclines.pdf 8 McCann, B., Rynne, S. Complete Streets: Best Policy and Implementation Practices. American Planning Association Planning Advisory Service Report Number 5.59. 9 http://hennepin.iislactiveliving 10 In ttp: ll ulww. healtliimpactproject. org /hia /us /nash ville-northwest-corridor-transi t 11 htrp://wununyc.gov/himl/dot/dmvnloads/pdf/20110119_lav-23st—presentation_slides.pdf American Public Health Association 8001 Street, NW • Washington, DC 20001 0 www.apha.org Complete sti eets allow people to get around safely on foot, bicycle, or -Public hansportation. By Providing safe and convenient travel for everyone—including children, families, older adults, and people witb disabilities— tomplete streets not only bele people stay active and healthy but also reduce traffic and pollution. Phoma by Lydia D..ilk, What Are Complete Streets? A Fact Sheet for Advocates and Community Members Streets are key public spaces that often make up much of the land in a town or city. But across America, streets are frequently built for cars, with few features like sidewalks to make them safe and pleasant places to walk or bike. Conventional street design promotes traffic congestion, pollution, and collision injuries ,1, z, s and discourages physical activity. Regular physical activity is critical to preventing obesity and its related illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease. But American youth fail to get the recommended levels of daily exercise.',' Many schools have eliminated or reduced physical education, and in the last 30 years, the number of children walking or biking to school has dropped from 42 percent to a mere 16 percent. Young people living in low-income communities and youth of color get even less physical activity and have higher rates of obesity.6 n a n NATIONAL POLICY & LEGAL ANALYSIS NETWORK TO PREVENT CHILDHOOD OBESITY Complete Streets Encourage Physical Activity The National Policy &LegalAnalysis Research shows that the way streets, sidewalks, and transportation networks are Network to Prevent Childhood Obesity designed affects the amount of regular physical activity that children and adults get. (NPL.4N) is a project of Public Health Complete streets promote: Law & Policy (PULP). PULP is a • Lower obesity rates. A study of Atlanta residents found that people who lived nonprofit organization that provides legal in the most walkable neighborhoods were 35 percent less likely to be obese than information on matters relating to public those living in the least walkable areas. health. The legal information provided • Physical activity for children. In a review of 33 studies, researchers found that in this document does not constitute legal advice or legal representation. For legal sidewalks and destinations within walking distance were linked with greater advice, readers should consult a lawyer in physical activity among children, while traffic hazards and unsafe intersections their state. were linked with lower levels of physical activity.' • Physical activity for teens. A study of teenagers in San Diego found that for both Support for this fact sheet was provided Mexican. American and white teens, those who lived in walkable neighborhoods by a grant from the Robert Wood jobnson were more physically active than those in less walkable neighborhoods.' Foundation. • Active travel. More children walk to school when there are sidewalks along main roads." SeeCcmpleeetSrrrersImprove Saffr Everyone. Washington DC: The National Complete Streets Policies to Create Complete Streets Coalition. Avaiiabk at wwwcomplctesrrvcts. Local and state governments have the power to make communities healthier by orglwebdocs/factsh¢ets/cs- safe ry. pdfSee implementing laws and policies that support complete streets. Complete streets Complete StreetsrtgbtClimate ChangO Waebington DC: ThoNatienal Complete Streets policies change how streets are designed and built, so that residents of all ages and CoaIirion. Availablew. www,completestreets. abilities can travel easily and safely along Community streets, whether they are Qr8/Nchdocslfactshcerclrs climare.pdf walking, biking, or riding the bus. ' See Coas of Com#eteStrrert. Washington DC: The National Complete Smers Coalition. Each street doesn't require the same features to be safe for active travel. A low design Awilablcim www,completeEtycets.osg/webdocs/ fattahcers/ts-costa.pdF. speed may be enough to make some streets safe; other streets may require elements Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. such as frequent crosswalks, accessible transit stops and pedestrian signals, median Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and islands, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes. Because complete streets features are only Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Phyrieal required when streets are newly built or reconstructed, their cost is incorporated into Artivity forEveryorre. Atlanta: Centers for budgeted transportation projects. Disease Control and Prevention, 2008. Available at: www.cdc.govlphyaicalactivity/everyone/ To date, more than 100 jurisdictions — state, local, and regional — have adopted g P guidelines/child ren. Flt m 1_ , complete streets policies. For example: Levi J Vinter S, Richardson L, et al. Fas in Fat: How 060ity Polic&r ore PaiGng in America 2009. • In Columbia, Missouri, the city enacted an ordinance providing for new street That for America's Health, 2009, p 24. Available at: hnp//:healthvamericans.org/rcpotts/ design standards along with narrower streets, wider sidewalks, and bike lanes or obesity2s309/Obesity2o69Report.pdf wide shared-use travel lanes." b Kerr J. DesigningforActiveLivingAmong • Seattle's complete streets ordinance requires new transportation projects to Children. Active Living Research. 2007. � accommodate all users. 12 Frank LD, Andresen MA, Schmid TL. Obesity y relationships with Community design. physical • A resolution by the South Carolina Department of Transportation affirmed that activity, and time spent in cars. aaJoarnd! provisions for biking and walking should be a routine part of the department's afPre[+entati-rr Medrrinr, 27:87-4696, 2004. , 20 s planning and programming.13 The Surgeon Grrteral iralltoachon to preuentand derrarsr owrweightandobcs2 Roctll¢, MD: • Oregon's "Bike Bill," enacted in 1971, requires local governments to include siS Department of Health and Human Services, Public health Service, Office ❑f the Surgeon walkways and bikeways whenever a road, street, or highway is built or rebuilt. 14 General. 2001, Complete streets policies provide the infrastructure to make streets more child- ' Kligerman M. Salis IF, Ryan S. cc al. friendly and increase opportunities for children and families to lead more active lives. 'Association of neighborhood design and recreation environment variables with physical By implementing complete streets policies, communities can make it safer for residents activity and body mass index in adolescents." to get regular exercise through daily activities. American Journal ofHealtb Promotion, 21(4): 274- 277, 2007. For NPLAN s products on complete streets, visit www.nplan.org: 0 Ewing R, Schroeer W, and Greene W. "School Location and Student Travel: Analysis of Factors • Model Local Resolutions on Complete Streets - Introductory &Advanced Affecting mode Choice.' Mnspo,tdtioa Researrb Rerord•journaloftde7knsp•rtarronRuaarrh • Model State/Regional Resolutions on Complete Streets - awrd. 1895:55-63,2004, Introductory & Advanced " Columbia, MO Code §105-247. Available at: • Model Local Ordinance on Complete Streets www,got olu mbi a mo. com /Cou nei 1 /C ode_oL Ordinances_PDF/Sncet_Standards. • Model State Statute on Complete Streets 72 Seattle, WA Ordinance No. 122386. • Model Comprehensive Plan Language on Complete Streets "Available at:bi wion.pdf.pcif. ot.org/getting/alfa/ • Findings for Complete Streets Laws and Resolutions kc_rosolut ^ Oregon Rev. Stat. §366.514.