We are thrilled to report that at its most recent Board meeting the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) made an official policy endorsement of Complete Streets (.pdf), stating, “ASCE believes that America’s transportation system should be designed, built, operated, and managed for safe travel by everyone.”
ASCE is America’s oldest national engineering society and represents more than 140,000 civil engineers nationwide. Just last week they gained national attention for their report that calculated that a failure to invest in American infrastructure needs would cost more than 870,000 jobs over ten years.
And while their Complete Streets policy statement does not make the connection, I’ll assert that the policy endorsement is right in line with their concerns about infrastructure investment –- because Complete Streets is about ensuring those investments better meet the needs of everyone using the roadway.
Communities with Complete Streets policies are making sure that every transportation dollar is used wisely to improve the travel environment and safety for all users – instead of taking a piecemeal approach that can create unsafe conditions for those traveling by foot, bicycle, or bus.
ASCE’s policy statement outlines the multiple benefits of a Complete Streets approach, including providing travel options for those without vehicles, improving safety, and reducing oil dependence.
ASCE joins other transportation practitioner organizations that are supportive of Complete Streets: the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the American Planning Association, and the Society of Landscape Architects serve on the Coalition’s Steering Committee; and the American Public Works Association is a Silver level partner in our work.
We applaud ASCE’s forward-looking policy statement and look forward to working with them on completing America’s streets.