Complete FACT SHEET 2.0

Since the NYSAMPO Fact Sheet was published in 2012, additional needs have been identified. They are addressed in this addendum. The original Complete Streets Fact Sheet can be found at www.nysmpos.org

MORE MUNICIPALITIES HAVE HOW CAN COMPLETE STREETS BE IMPLEMENTED ADOPTED COMPLETE STREETS IN SIMPLIFIED PAVING PROJECTS? ORDINANCES AND POLICIES A focus on managing infrastructure assets at a time of A number of additional New limited capital funding has resulted in many jurisdictions, York municipalities have officially from local to State, doing simplified or maintenance paving recognized the importance of work. Such projects may entail a simple overlay, or mill and considering Complete Streets resurfacing, and is generally limited to “working between elements in design and the or shoulders”. improvement projects Complete Streets necessarily reflect their location. through the adoption of local ordinances or policies. Most use An urban street that is curbed will require different language that is similar in content treatments than a suburban or rural roadway that has paved to the New York State law. shoulders but no . There is no single approach to designing Complete Streets. Since any list is quickly outdated, readers are referred to the New While this places limits on the range of Complete Streets elements that can be employed, there is still a great deal York State Department of that can be done. Often changing pavement markings Transportation’s Complete alone can improve the experience of all roadway users. Streets web page: There are other low cost improvements that may be outside the scope of simplified paving, but worthy of consideration.

https://www.dot.ny.gov/programs/completestreets

FACT SHEET Complete Streets http://www.nysmpos.org HOW CAN COMPLETE STREETS BE IMPLEMENTED IN SIMPLIFIED PAVING PROJECTS?

Begin with a simple inventory. Consider what can be accomplished Consider additional low-cost improvements. with pavement markings. o Supply: What is the pavement width? What is the pre-construction If there is community support for these changes, the municipality layout: number and width of , on-street parking, bus stops, bike o Road diet. Is this a 4 street that can be reduced may be encouraged to invest some resources to make additional lanes, crosswalks? to 2 through lanes, a center two-way left turn lane, changes as part of the project. and bike lanes? Traffic Signals.Add signals with countdown dis- o Environment: What comprises the adjacent land use? Is it a residen- o plays where there are none. Use accessible pedestrian signals tial street, a neighborhood shopping area, a commercial strip? Is there o Bike lanes. Even on a 2 lane street, there may be suf- a school or park on the street? Consider that Complete Streets should ficient width to accommodate bike lanes. Sometimes that have audible and/or tactile indications where engineering fit in the land use context. space can be gained by limiting parking to one side judgment finds they would be warranted (refer toManual on of the street. When pavement width is not adequate, Uniform Traffic Control Devices§4E.09-13). Where there is vehicle o Demand: The context will relate to who uses the street and for what shared lane markings (“Sharrows”) or a bike boulevard detection, make sure bicycle detection is provided, including purposes. Are there generators of pedestrian activity? Is the street designation can be considered. extensions: Painted curb extension at Water and Broad street in pavement markings to identify where bicyclists should position New York City. (Above) part of an established bicycle network, or a bus route? themselves to be detected. High visibility crosswalks. Can pedestrian safety be Reverse angle parking: Before and after photos of reverse angle o parking on Hawley Street in downtown Binghamton. (Below) improved by making crosswalks more easily seen? o Mid-Block Crosswalks. If the distance between signalized Understand the project context Before intersections is long, and pedestrian conditions warrant it, con- o Curb extensions. Where there is on-street parking, After sider a mid-block crosswalk with high visibility ladder markings Pavement. Paving of uncurbed roadways is sometimes limited o curb extensions (bulb-outs) can shorten the distance and a pedestrian-actuated signal or pedestrian hybrid beacon to the travel lanes. This can leave a drop-off at the shoulder that that have to cross. While it is preferable (refer to Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices§4F). The is unsafe for bicyclists, and a deteriorated shoulder surface that that these be raised concrete, at-grade painted latter is often referred to as a HAWK (High Intensity Activated can be a hazard for both bicyclists and pedestrians. should extensions have been used successfully. Crosswalk) beacon. be paved to the full extent of the shoulder, and narrow shoulders widened where possible. Reverse angle parking. Where there is sufficient o o Curb Extensions. Construct concrete curb extensions. They pavement width, this technique improves safety for are more effective in protecting pedestrians by making them Drainage. Drainage problems like low areas where ponding oc- o motorists and cyclists, because drivers exiting the more visible to drivers, which is not the case with at-grade curs should be addressed as a matter of course in paving projects. parking space have a clear view of approaching traffic, painted extensions. Bicycle friendly drainage grates should be installed. including bicycles.

HOW CAN COMPLETE STREETS ACCOMMODATE GOODS MOVEMENT?

When planners and engineers are component of Complete Streets, especially It is important to distinguish between range in size from relatively small parcel busy with people. Then consider load- Consider mountable curbs on medians considering how to make an existing when one of the objectives of the new different types of goods movement when service and delivery trucks to tractor- ing zones. The City of Philadelphia has and roundabouts, and marking stop thoroughfare into a Complete Street, streetscape is to encourage economic de- looking at land use plans and urban trailers. included loading zone requests in their bars further back to allow turning trucks they most often focus on improving velopment, which often occurs in the form design. Good planning can lead to the Complete Streets program. Determine to swing into the opposite lane. accommodations of neighborhood- creation of a network of urban truck routes While some of our cities were designed how much curb front is needed, the hours for pedestrians, scale retail and that can best accommodate trucks that with mid-block alleys for rear delivery, most the loading zone will operate, and the It is important to plan ahead. If the land including those commercial space. are not providing local delivery service, were not. Few neighborhood businesses duration of stay (typically no more than 30 use objective is for mixed-use develop- with vision or Restaurants and whether they are traveling through the city have on-site loading docks. Most often minutes). Develop an enforcement plan, ment or redevelopment, consider how mobility impair- shops will require or going from a factory or warehouse/dis- delivery trucks must compete for curbside which is necessary to make loading zones the street will accommodate additional ments; cyclists; daily deliveries, tribution center to a freeway interchange. space. work. Position loading zones so they will truck traffic, and work with economic and transit users and residences and Once designated, these routes will be less have a minimal impact on parking and development officials and developers to Successful Complete Streets projects rely when the street offices may rely desirable for Complete Street treatment. bus stops. Local stakeholders can often create off-street delivery areas. on stakeholder involvement. Outreach to is a current or on parcel services, Local judgment is still important, as in a be helpful in determining an acceptable current businesses must include discussion Most importantly, be creative in ac- future bus route. making truck traffic situation where a “Main Street” serves as a trade-off in the competition for curb of their delivery needs, with the potential commodating goods movement in Those involved in an unavoidable truck route, but must also accommodate space. for meeting with their suppliers as well. your Complete Streets designs as you goods movement part of street life. all users. Local deliveries and services like Find out the type of trucks that are being consider the needs of all users. Ignoring are often left out of the Complete Planning for goods movement from the garbage removal are the kind of goods Intersection design should be reviewed used, and frequency, duration, and time goods movement may detract from the Streets design conversation. But outset will help ensure a successful design movement that must be addressed in the to ensure that of day of deliveries. Ask if deliveries can be ultimate success of the project and its goods movement can be an important that truly accommodates all users. Complete Streets context. Vehicles may distances are short, while still allowing made in off-hours, when the street is not for delivery truck turning movements. economic development potential. IMPLEMENTING COMPLETE STREETS Implementing Complete Streets and businesses on a street that is slated built infrastructure that are not otherwise projects can be a challenge. The for construction to educate them about apparent. Finding a champion can also be existence of a state law or local Complete Streets and encourage their key in garnering support. Decision makers ordinance that requires consideration input on design elements that will meet may be more willing to dedicate resources of the needs of all users in project their needs. The street owner must be when they see that a Complete Street design does not guarantee the engaged early in the project development project is responding to the needs their creation of a Complete Street. It is the process as well, to understand the range constituents have identified, and are not responsibility of transportation and of options they may be willing to consider. perceived simply as a required response to urban planners to work with residents They will know about limitations of the a law.

Before: Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie, a four-lane road. (Above)

After: “Road diet” transformation from four lanes into a two-lane street with roundabouts, a median, and improved sidewalks and crosswalks. (Right)

The National Complete Streets Coalition is an excellent source of information on the design and benefits of Complete Streets. http://www.completestreets.org/complete-streets-fundamentals/Factsheets

New York State Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations http://www.nysmpos.org