A Complete Streets policy is a commitment that all future transportation projects will take into account the needs of everyone using the road. Implementation of that policy is where the work truly begins. The day-to-day decisions a transportation agency and community leaders make in funding, planning, design, maintenance, and operations should be aligned to the goals of that adopted policy document.
The National Complete Streets Coalition has identified five kinds of activities needed to take place in order to reorient a transportation agency’s work to fully and consistently consider the safety of all users:
Planning for Implementation: Assessing current procedures and activities and planning for the full implementation of Complete Streets
Changing Procedure and Process: Updating documents, plans, and processes used in transportation decision-making, from scoping to funding, and creating new ones if necessary
Reviewing and Updating Design Guidance: Updating or adopting new design guidance and standards to reflect current best practices in providing multimodal mobility
Offering Training and Educational Opportunities: Providing ongoing support to transportation professionals, other relevant agency staff, community leaders, and the general public so that they understand the Complete Streets approach, the new processes and partnerships it requires, and the potential new outcomes from the transportation system
Measuring Performance: Creating or modifying existing metrics to measure success in accommodating all users on the project and network levels
In addition to the above pages, several reports and case studies on successful Complete Streets implementation have been written:
- Taking Action on Complete Streets: A Toolkit for Implementation, National Complete Streets Coalition
- Complete Streets in the Southeast: A Tool Kit, AARP and National Complete Streets Coalition
- The Path to Complete Streets in Underserved Communities: Lessons from U.S. Case Studies, Kelly Clifton, Sarah Bronstein, and Sara Morrissey
- Getting Results: Complete Streets in Minnesota, National Complete Streets Coalition
- It’s a Safe Decision: Complete Streets in California, National Complete Streets Coalition
- Complete Streets: Best Policy and Implementation Practices, American Planning Association
