Having gained a general understanding of various ways in which public policy can impact walkability, this week’s study materials focus on two specific types of policy which, over time, can improve access and safety for walking and biking - Complete Streets and Vision Zero.
Developed in the early 2000s, a Complete Streets policy requires planners and engineers to design streets for all types of users. The needs of cyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, motorists, blind people, those using wheelchairs, children, and others must be included – in contrast to previous practice, which had veered towards accommodating drivers of motor vehicles only.
According to the National Complete Streets Coalition (a program of Smart Growth America), more than 1,600 communities have adopted Complete Streets policies in the last 20 years. They range from detailed design standards including the widths of sidewalks, bike lanes, etc., for different types of streets (eg. residential or arterial) to more general statements that all users should be accommodated. In some policies, new streets are required to comply, whereas engineers are usually asked to attempt to add necessary infrastructure to an existing street when it undergoes major maintenance.
Unfortunately, non-binding policy statements and language which gives engineers a lot of latitude are often ignored – it’s always easier to stick with the status quo than to do something different! In these cases, it may be necessary to strengthen municipalities’ commitment to adopted Complete Streets policies by developing “implementation plans.”
A strong Complete Streets implementation plan includes the following actions:
Around 2013, pedestrian/bicycle advocates started advancing a new type of policy with built-in accountability. Vision Zero policies state explicitly that traffic deaths and severe injuries are preventable (through effective speed management) and establish goals for reducing their occurrence to zero by a specified date (typically, 10-15 years into the future).
Vision Zero policies act as Complete Streets implementation strategies because they focus planners’ and engineers’ efforts on reducing vehicle speeds, which can only be done effectively by redesigning streets. They create accountability because traffic deaths and severe injuries are easily tracked to see whether the interventions are successful. They are popular with the public because they are easy to understand, and they improve safety for all transportation modes.
Although Vision Zero policies have been adopted in about 50 communities, little progress seems to have been made towards zero traffic deaths and severe injuries. This is probably because most Vision Zero action plans focus on “education” and “enforcement” with transportation engineers reluctant to implement the “engineering” strategies necessary to actually reduce vehicle speeds and save lives.
Proper implementation of Complete Streets and Vision Zero policies can lead to safe, enjoyable streets and an activity-friendly community, over time. They are important tools in the walkable community policy toolkit.
This is a general overview of how to go about advocating for a complete streets policy in your town/city.