complete streets cnu conf (jun09)gaye
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From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
From Policy to Technique:From Policy to Technique:Complete Streets – Street Design Complete Streets – Street Design
and Multimodalismand Multimodalism
Congress for New UrbanismCongress for New Urbanism
June 12, 2009 – Denver, COJune 12, 2009 – Denver, CO
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
"Construct complete streets designed to accommodate all users. In all new roadway projects or major reconstruction projects, accommodate travel by pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users, except where pedestrians and bicyclists are prohibited by law from using a given facility or where construction of bikeways or walkways would be unsafe or impractical. Such facilities for pedestrian and bicycle use shall be designed to the best currently available standards and guidelines.
Definition of Complete Streets: Complete Streets are streets that have been built for safe and convenient travel by all road users, including people on foot and bicycle, as well as transit users. Complete Streets policies call for routinely providing for travel by all users when building and reconstructing streets and roads.”
[Ordinance No. 05-196, passed December 13, 2005]
Colorado Springs CS Policy
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
• Initiated by City’s recently created Citizens’ Transportation Advisory Committee (September 2004).
• Staff drafted policy language, and the CTAB agreed.
• Presented to stakeholders, including Housing & Building Association .
• Presentation included frank discussion that the new policy would be reflected in the City’s new Street Design Standards.
• HBA requested language change: “Construct complete streets designed to reasonably accommodate all users.” CTAB did not agree, but added a definition of complete streets.
• HBA changed position to support the proposal to CTAB, Planning Commission and City Council (December 2005).
• November 2004 – 1% transportation sales tax approved by voters
How the Policy was Initiated & Approved
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Implementation of Complete Streets
City capital projects
Retrofit Projects
Sidewalk infill
Numerous Roundabouts
New Street Design Standards
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Roadway Capital Project
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Roadway Capital Project
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Roadway Capital Project
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Roadway Capital Project
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Approach to Street Retrofitting
• Primarily tied to street resurfacing program– 7-10% of street network annually– Assess opportunities & needs
• Add bike lanes (narrow traffic lanes)
• Road dieting– “Old style” 4 lanes to 3 lanes plus bike lanes– Convert 2 dysfunctional travel lanes to 1 well operating travel
lane (each way), plus bike travel– General threshold: up to 15,000 ADT
• Some removal of turn lanes on modest volume collectors
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Approach to Retrofitting
• Focus on network connectivity
• Low hanging fruit
• Often opportunistic, sometimes incremental
• Flexibility
• Surprisingly low cost at times
• May not achieve all elements at once
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Cheyenne Blvd. Before
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Cheyenne Blvd. After
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Cheyenne Boulevard
Speed (85th Percentile)• Posted: 35 mph• Before: 41 mph• After: 36-39 mph
Observations• Residents more comfortable parking on-street• More bike use• Some complaints from motorists (inability to pass)
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Tejon Street Before
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Tejon Street After
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Tejon Street After
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Tejon StreetSpeed (85th Percentile)• Posted: 25 mph• Before: 24 mph• After: 26 mph
Safety• Total accidents about the same, but fewer injury accidents• More alcohol-related accidents after
Observations• Merchants: customers commenting on easier (diagonal) parking• Most complaints are non-specific (why was it changed?)• Compliments & increased use by cyclists
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Road DietingPros• Reduce accident rates (seriousness of accidents)• Reduce travel speeds & aggressive driving• Improve bicycle safety & access• Increase buffer between travel lanes & parking, property frontages• Maintain or improve emergency response time• Can change back if conditions warrant
Cons• Increase delay at driveways and side streets during peak travel times• Fewer traffic gaps for pedestrians at uncontrolled intersections• Loss of passing opportunities
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Additional Thoughts
Understand how to communicate with your public
Scale public outreach / input appropriately
Include attention to maintenance element of CS
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Complete Streets – Lessons Learned
Value of community group support
Strike appropriate balance between policy firmness and flexibility
Be candid about policy implications
New projects – policy needs to be integrated into street design standards
Retrofits can be done “inexpensively” if taken with an opportunistic and incremental approach
From Policy to Technique: Complete Streets
Questions?
Craig Blewitt, Manager
Comprehensive Planning
City of Colorado Springs