As the first-ever Safe Streets Academy prepares for launch next month, the quality and number of applications to the academy offered an up close and informative look into the challenges jurisdictions currently face when implementing Complete Streets. The National Complete Streets Coalition, in partnership with Voices for Healthy Kids, decided to put that valuable information to use by creating an infographic that summarizes some of the most pressing issues. Take a look at the infographic below, and read about our upcoming efforts with jurisdictions large and small to improve the safety of our transportation network through the combined implementation of Complete Streets and Vision Zero.
Over the last few months, the National Complete Streets Coalition has been hard at work preparing for the launch of our new Safe Streets Academy. In August, after a competitive application process, we announced the three jurisdictions that will learn from national experts, collaborate with one another, and discuss best practices in engineering, tactical urbanism, creative placemaking, and community engagement. Orlando, FL; Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, KY; and South Bend, IN will gather in Orlando next month for the first workshop in the Academy.
Although we were not able to choose every jurisdiction out of the 35 that applied, we were impressed by all the jurisdictions from all over the country that are demonstrating their commitment to Complete Streets and Vision Zero by adopting policies and bicycle and pedestrian plans. Through their applications, the Coalition gained a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges to Complete Streets implementation at the local level. As we embark on the Safe Streets Academy we want to address these documented challenges and develop tools that may help cities and towns across the country reach their goals.
The image featured above was created by Voices for Healthy Kids and the Coalition added the information from carefully reviewing each of the Safe Streets Academy applications. We asked jurisdictions to describe barriers to implementing traffic safety measures and what they would like to achieve if selected to receive technical assistance.
Last week we released our official statement supporting Vision Zero after over 10 years of advocating for safe street design through better engineering, as we believe road design has the greatest influence on safety for all users of all abilities. The Coalition is eager to support Vision Zero efforts through ongoing technical assistance. We aim to help communities make streets safer for everyone—no matter their age, race, ethnicity, income, physical ability, or how they choose to travel. If your city is interested in learning more about how to identify and fix dangerous roads through policy changes, engineering strategies, and innovative street design, contact us.
We look forward to working with jurisdictions large and small around the country to improve the safety of our transportation network through the combined implementation of Complete Streets and Vision Zero.
Thank you to our Steering Committee member, Voices for Healthy Kids, for providing the Complete Streets infographic featured in the post