1. The Principle

• Complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities must be able to safely move along and across a complete street.
• Creating complete streets means changing the policies and practices of transportation agencies.
• A complete streets policy ensures that the entire right of way is routinely designed and operated to enable safe access for all users.
• Transportation agencies must ensure that all road projects result in a complete street appropriate to local context and needs.

2. Elements of a Good Complete Streets Policy

A good complete streets policy:

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  Specifies that ‘all users’ includes pedestrians, bicyclists, transit vehicles and users, and motorists, of all ages and abilities.
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  Aims to create a comprehensive, integrated, connected network.
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  Recognizes the need for flexibility: that all streets are different and user needs will be balanced.
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  Is adoptable by all agencies to cover all roads.
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  Applies to both new and retrofit projects, including design, planning, maintenance, and operations, for the entire right of way.
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  Makes any exceptions specific and sets a clear procedure that requires high-level approval of exceptions.
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  Directs the use of the latest and best design standards.
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  Directs that complete streets solutions fit in with context of the community.
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  Establishes performance standards with measurable outcomes.

2.5 Implementation

An effective complete streets policy should prompt transportation agencies to:

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  Restructure their procedures to accommodate all users on every project.
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  Re-write their design manuals to encompass the safety of all users.
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  Re-train planners and engineers in balancing the needs of diverse users.
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  Create new data collection procedures to track how well the streets are serving all users.