Noteworthy Local Policies That Support Safe and Complete Pedestrian and Bicycle Networks
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Noteworthy Local Policies That Support Safe and Complete Pedestrian and Bicycle Networks November 2016 TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE 1. Report No. FHWA-SA-17-006 2. Government Accession No. N/A 3. Recipient’s Catalog No. N/A 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date November 2016 Noteworthy Local Policies that Support Safe and Complete Pedestrian and Bicycle Networks 6. Performing Organization Code N/A 7. Author(s) Hugh Louch, Dara O’Byrne, Catrine Machi, Kristen O’Toole, Matthew 8. Performing Organization Report No. N/A VanOosten, Hannah Twaddell, Lindsay Martin 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. ICF, 9300 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22031 N/A Alta Planning + Design (Alta), 711 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214 11. Contract or Grant No. Sprinkle Consulting, Inc. (Sprinkle), 18115 U.S. Hwy 41 North, Suite 600, Lutz, FL 33549 DTFH61-11-D-00033, Task 5015 12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered Research Result and Conclusion Office of Safety, Federal Highway Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington DC 20590 14. Sponsoring Agency Code FHWA/HEPH-10 15. Supplementary Notes CoConductednducted in cooperation withwith thethe U.S.U.S. Department Department of of Transportation, Transportation, Federal Federal Highway Highway Administration. Administration. The contract manager for this report was Tamara Redmon (FHWA Office of Safety). 16. Abstract Noteworthy Local Policies That Support Safe and Complete Pedestrian and Bicycle Networks provides local and state agencies with tools to develop policies that support the development of safe and complete bicycle and pedestrian networks for users of all ages and abilities. The guide is accompanied by case studies that showcase examples from across the country of how policies can support safe and complete street networks. 17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement Bicycle, pedestrian, policy, networks, connectivity, safety, No restrictions. This document is available through the livability National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161. 19. Security Classif. (of this report) 20. Security Classif. (of this 21. No. of Pages 22. Price Unclassified page) Unclassified 106 $0 Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized ii Foreword Noteworthy Local Policies That Support Safe and Complete Pedestrian and Bicycle Networks provides local and state agencies with the tools to create a solid policy platform to support the creation of multimodal transportation networks for users of all ages and abilities. The guidebook is intended to assist local and state governmental agencies in developing and applying policies and provide evidence to support policy adoption. The guidebook showcases opportunities to make street networks more complete, more livable, and safer for all users. The guidebook first defines a safe and complete pedestrian and bicycle network. The guidebook then identifies six key elements of a successful policy framework to achieve a complete network and provides suggestions for implementation. The accompanying case studies, organized by the six key element categories, showcase noteworthy examples from across the country of how policies can support safe and complete street networks. Sections within each case study describe the policy of note with characteristics of the municipality in which it was enacted and examples of similar case studies if they exist. Notice This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of information contained in this document. The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the U.S. Department of Transportation. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Publication Number: FHWA-SA-17-006 iii Acknowledgements FHWA • Tamara Redmon • Christopher Douwes Technical Advisory Committee • Whit Blanton, Pinellas MPO (FL) • Jason Burdette, Town of Davidson (NC) • Ann Cheng, TransForm (CA) • Bill Keyrouze, AMPO • Kris Krider, Arlington County (VA) • Peter Koonce, Portland (OR) • Rosa Kozub, New Mexico Department of Transportation (NM) • Josh Mello, City of Palo Alto (CA) • Tracy Newsome, Charlotte Department of Transportation (NC) • Dr. David Ragland, University of California-Berkeley SAFETREC • Kyle Wagenschutz, PeopleforBikes • Julie Walcoff, Ohio Department of Transportation • Sean Wiedel, Chicago Department of Transportation (IL) • Norm Steinman, Charlotte Department of Transportation (NC) • Jill Cooper, University of California-Berkeley SAFETREC iv TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ..................1 Smart Growth and Efficient Land Use Management ..........................................20 Audience ..................................................3 Mixed Use Zoning .................................21 Organization of Guidebook .....................3 Design Standards and Form-Based 1.2 What is a Complete Network? ..........4 Codes .....................................................22 Cohesion .................................................5 Parking Quantity ...................................23 Directness ................................................5 Other Development Standards ...............24 Accessibility ............................................5 2.4 Design the Network .........................25 Alternatives .............................................6 Complete Streets Policies ......................25 Safety and Security ..................................6 Connectivity Policies .............................26 Comfort ...................................................6 Policy Tools to Support Complete 2. POLICY ELEMENTS OF Streets ....................................................26 CREATING A COMPLETE 2.5 Make It Last ....................................30 Funding Maintenance Activities ............33 NETWORK ..............................7 2.6 Pay for It ..........................................35 2.1 Define Success ....................................8 USDOT Funding Sources ......................35 Establishing Vision, Goals, Objectives, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation and Performance Measures .....................9 (FAST) Act ............................................35 State and Local Funding Sources ..........37 2.2 Protect Nonmotorized Travelers ....10 How Can Policies Help Improve Network 3. IMPLEMENTATION.......... 41 Safety? ...................................................10 State Level Policy: Liability ..................11 3.1 Implementation ................................42 Ensure Policies and Ordinances Promote Understanding the Strengths and Safety .....................................................14 Weaknesses of Existing Policy ..............42 Implement Law Enforcement Building a Policy Agenda ......................45 Countermeasures for Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety ...................................17 APPENDIX A: BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN POLICY CASE 2.3 Promote Bicycle and Pedestrian Supportive Development .................20 STUDIES v vi Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION This policy guidebook provides local and state agencies with the tools to create a solid policy platform to support the creation of multimodal transportation networks for users of all ages and abilities. The accompanying case studies showcase noteworthy examples from across the country of how policies can support safe and complete street networks. Effective policy shapes long-term planning efforts, as well as more immediate decisionmaking. It informs infrastructure planning, design, construction and maintenance and shapes decisionmaking related to investments in infrastructure and capital improvements. Policy informs and shapes an agency’s work in engineering, education, enforcement, emergency response, encouragement, and evaluation efforts. This multidisciplinary approach, embodied in both required Federal safety planning and best practices in bicycle and pedestrian planning and design, is important in establishing a safe and complete pedestrian and bicycle network. The terms bicycling, walking, bicyclist and pedestrian are used throughout this document and are intended to be inclusive of people of all ages and ability levels, including people with disabilities. 1 This guidebook and accompanying case 1.1 PURPOSE OF THE studies showcase opportunities to GUIDEBOOK make street networks more complete, more livable, and safer for all users. Assist Local and State Agencies Six Policy Elements for Creating There is a strong correlation between robust, Complete Networks high functioning bicycle and pedestrian networks and strong public sector leadership This guidebook identifies six areas for from elected officials and agency staff. Strong transportation agencies and stakeholders to political will may be needed to redesign develop effective policies to help create safe streets from car-exclusive thoroughfares to and complete bicycle and pedestrian networks. multimodal complete streets. This guidebook • Define Success: Discusses setting aims to present information about relevant visions, goals, objectives, and policies and policy examples that agencies performance measures and how can use to institutionalize network-supportive to gain stakeholder buy-in. policies in their own communities. • Protect Nonmotorized Travelers: Provide Evidence