10 Elements of a Complete Streets Policy
What does a strong Complete Streets policy look like?
Updated in 2018, the Complete Streets policy framework requires accountability to ensure that a policy produces tangible changes and prioritizes the needs of the most vulnerable users. The 10 elements of a strong policy are covered in brief here, but click the button below to download the full policy framework with more details on each element, including the scoring.
Read the detailed version of the 10 elements of a Complete Streets policyThese ten elements below serve as a national model of best practices to create a policy that can be implemented at any level of governance, in any type of place. For communities considering passing a new Complete Streets policy or updating an existing Complete Streets policy, an ideal Complete Streets policy does the following, each of which provide points in the grading process:
1) Establishes commitment and visionHow and why does the community want to complete its streets? This specifies a clear statement of intent to create a complete, connected network and consider the needs of all users. |
2) Prioritizes diverse usersIt prioritizes serving the most vulnerable users and the most underinvested and underserved communities, improving equity. |
3) Applies to all projects and phasesInstead of a limited set of projects, it applies to all new, retrofit/reconstruction, maintenance, and ongoing projects. |
4) Allows only clear exceptionsAny exceptions must be specific, with a clear procedure that requires high-level approval and public notice prior to exceptions being granted. |
5) Mandates coordinationRequires private developers to comply, and interagency coordination between government departments and partner agencies. |
6) Adopts excellent design guidanceDirects agencies to use the latest and best design criteria and guidelines, and sets a time frame for implementing this guidance. |
7) Requires proactive land-use planningConsiders every project’s greater context, as well as the surrounding community’s current and expected land-use and transportation needs. |
8) Measures progressEstablishes specific performance measures that match the goals of the broader vision, measurably improve disparities, and are regularly reported to the public. |
9) Sets criteria for choosing projectsCreates or updates the criteria for choosing transportation projects so that Complete Streets projects are prioritized. |
10) Creates a plan for implementationA formal commitment to the Complete Streets approach is only the beginning. It must include specific steps for implementing the policy in ways that will make a measurable impact on what gets built and where. |
Are you interested in passing or updating a policy?
Start with this short introductory guide to adopting and then putting a policy into practice:
Adopt and implement a Complete Streets policy
And then download and use the full guide to The 10 Elements of a Complete Streets Policy. In this detailed guide, we unpack each of the ten elements above in greater detail, including scoring totals for each element so that communities interested in passing a strong policy can get actionable details to help them craft the best possible policy that will make a difference in what gets built and where.
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