At the National Complete Streets Coalition, our success truly results from the efforts of our coalition. We’ll be showcasing our Partners’ work and what drives their commitment to the Complete Streets movement. This month, we spoke with T.Y. Lin International, Inc. T.Y. Lin is a Silver Partner and employs members of our Complete Streets Workshops instructor corps and our Speakers Bureau.
What is T.Y. Lin International’s mission? What services do you offer?
Headquartered in San Francisco and with 38 offices in the U.S., T.Y. Lin International (TYLI) is an internationally recognized full-service infrastructure consulting firm, focused on increasing the efficiency of our communities’ transportation systems and improving the mobility of bicyclists, freight, pedestrian, public transit, and vehicles through multimodal plans that provide options for all users. TYLI staffs urban planners who understand how to connect transportation, housing, land use, environment, and economic development in order to create “livable communities.”
Why does your organization support Complete Streets and the Coalition?
Complete Streets complements the work that TYLI does to improve the mobility of people and our nation’s roadway systems. As a transportation planning provider, we primarily conduct planning and feasibility studies that promote multi-modal access for all users. TYLI has partnered with the National Complete Streets Coalition for many years, working on behalf of the organization and for the advancement of multi-modal transportation initiatives nationwide.
What kinds of projects have you been doing lately?
TYLI prepared the first Multimodal Transportation Plan for the City of Evanston, Illinois. The plan addressed all transportation modes, e.g. bicycle, freight, pedestrian, transit and vehicle, representing stakeholders for a true livable community. The Plan served as a platform for developing a set of transportation goals and objectives for the community. Infrastructure, program, and policy recommendations were developed in support of these goals and objectives. TYLI developed design guidelines for alleys and maintenance/municipal service needs; bicycle; parking; pedestrian; roadways; and transit, including rail and bus transportation modes.
The Plan was prepared at the same time that the City was preparing a climate action plan. To ensure coordination, a sustainability component that included recommendations for expanding the city’s green fleet; promoting car sharing; developing a green roads rating system; developing an eco-pass; encouraging transit oriented development; and reducing vehicle miles traveled.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was used to catalog the location of existing and proposed improvements. TYLI prepared more than 20 maps as well as a GIS database containing demographic, pedestrian, automobile, and bicycle counts as well as sidewalk condition assessment data that was collected by project staff and municipal volunteers. The GIS database also was used to assess the need for pedestrian improvements.
An extensive public and stakeholder involvement process was undertaken in the development of the Plan. TYLI conducted focus group meetings; collected input from a technical and policy committee; obtained input from more than 500 community surveys; and held a community workshop during which a polling session was conducted.
How are you working to advance the Complete Streets movement?
TYLI’s goal is to continue to partner with the National Complete Streets Coalition to inform, educate, and advance the goals and objectives of the Complete Streets movement. John LaPlante is a senior advisor to the Coalition and has led workshops nationwide. Traffic Engineering Director Tom Errico and Senior Planner Stacey Meekins are on the Speakers Bureau as well, working with community action leaders, government, and other stakeholders, to lecture on a local and national platform, as well as to help facilitate and make a reality the implementation of Complete Streets policies for public agencies at all levels.