Here’s Your Chance to Support Complete Streets in State Planning Guidelines

Not a Complete Street. Photo: Matthias Kaeding/Flickr

The California Transportation Commission (CTC), is the state body charged with creating guidelines for agencies such as the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and other regional planning bodies. This year, the CTC's guidelines are of greater interest to Livable Streets advocates because the language contains language that promotes Complete Streets as part of agencies' requirement to comply with S.B. 375, the recently passed anti-sprawl bill.

As you might expect, the defenders of the status quo aren't happy about this new language; even if it falls short of a mandate and is more of a suggestion. According to advocates with groups such as the Sacramento Air Quality Management District and California Walks the CTC is receiving push-back against even the "suggestion" language.

Fortunately, the CTC is still accepting comments, at least for one more day. Because the deadline for comments on the language is tomorrow, activists have prepared a draft letter that will take you just a couple of moments to send along to Sacramento. A copy of the letter and the proposed language is available after the jump.

Draft Letter to CTC on "Complete Streets" in draft planning guidelines.

Complete Streets-related language included in CTC's draft RTP guidance

(See page 30 at http://www.catc.ca.gov/programs/rtp/Archive/RTP_Guidelines_Ver_1_6_102609_Draft.doc )

Complete Streets

A "Complete Street" is a transportation facility that is planned, designed, operated and maintained to provide safe mobility for all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, and motorists appropriate to the function and context of the facility.

The Complete Streets Act of 2008 ensures that the transportation plans of California cities and counties meet the needs of all users, including pedestrians, transit, bicyclists, the elderly, motorists, and disabled. AB 1358 requires cities and counties to identify how the jurisdiction will provide accommodation of all users of roadways during the revision of the circulation element of their general plan. The bill directs the Office of Planning and Research to amend guidelines for the development of the circulation element to accommodate all users.

Planning for Complete Streets will enable local governments to provide healthier lives. Complete streets encourage physical activity. Public health studies have demonstrated that people are more likely to walk in their neighborhood if it has sidewalks. Also, studies have found that people with safe walking environments within a 10 minute walking radius are more likely to meet recommended physical activity levels. The integration of sidewalks, bike lanes, transit amenities, and safe crossing into initial design of projects is more cost effective than making costly retrofits later. Complete Streets is also a key strategy in the reduction of greenhouse gasemissions. Providing community residents with the option that gets them out of their cars is a proven strategy for improving communities, reducing air pollution, and generating local business.

While AB 1358 provides no statutory requirement for MPOs and RTPAs, the consideration and integration of Complete Streets policies is strongly recommended:

MPOs and RTPAs should integrate Complete Streets policies into their Regional Transportation Plans, identify the financial resources necessary to accommodate such policies,and should consider accelerating programming for projects that retrofit existing roads to provide safe and convenient travel by all users.

MPOs and RTPAs should encourage all jurisdictions and agencies within the region to ensure that their circulation elements and street and road standards, including planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance procedures, address all users of the transportation system, to the extent practicable.

Regional planning agencies should also include "Complete Streets" improvements in MPO/RTPA funded transportation system projects to the extent feasible.

Requirements (Shalls)

Federal: None

State:

Recommendations (Shoulds)

Federal: None

State: Government Code 65040.2 Section (2)(h) (h). It is the intent of the Legislature to require in the development of the circulation element of a local government's general plan that the circulation of users of streets, roads, and highways be accommodated in a manner suitable for the respective setting in rural, suburban, and urban contexts, and that users of streets, roads, and highways include bicyclists, children, persons with disabilities, motorists, movers of commercial goods, pedestrians, public transportation, and seniors.

Best Practices: Caltrans and MPOs/RTPAs impact transportation decisions, not just at a statewide and regional level, but also influence local transportation planning decisions. AB 1358 is significant to future local land use and planning decisions. Complete Streets policies and practices are best implemented with a comprehensive and integrated approach of all agencies involved.