Complete Streets Policies

Since the early 2000's, state laws, local ordinances, and regional transportation funding agencies have begun a quiet revolution, adopting Complete Streets policies (though not always using this term). Such policies are not one-size-fits-all, and need not be threatening to traffic engineers. They generally require that, depending on the context, roadway construction projects must include consideration of its various users. For example, disabled access on a rural highway project may not be the best use of limited funding when urban streets competing for the same funds lacks similar accommodations.

In 2005, the Complete Streets Coalition was formed to advocate for and track the adoption of Complete Streets projects, as well as state and local Complete Streets policies and standards. The Coalition points as models to the Massachusetts Highway Department's Project Development and Design Guide [2] and the City of Charlotte, North Carolina's Urban Street Design Guidelines [3]. Importantly, both models include additional staff training and revised public processes to include input from all users in making street design decisions.