Transcript Complete Streets Policy for the National Capital Region National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board May 16, 2012 Item #7 Michael Farrell, DTP.

Complete Streets Policy for the National
Capital Region
National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board
May 16, 2012
Item #7
Michael Farrell, DTP
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Development of a Regional Policy
• June 15, 2011 – Citizens Advisory Committee
requested that the TPB Develop and Approve a
Regional Policy on Complete Streets
– Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee to take the lead
• Also work with the CAC, Access for All, the Bus Subcommittee, and the task
force for the TPB’s Priorities Plan
• Use ideal Complete Streets policy from Complete Streets Coalition as a
starting point
• TPB Chair and Vice-Chair suggested that TPB
staff and relevant Subcommittees develop a
proposal
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Reasons for a Regional Complete
Streets Policy
• Supports TPB Vision, Bicycle and Pedestrian
Plan, and Region Forward Goals
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Walkable, mixed-use activity centers
Health and Fitness
Economic/retail activity & tourism
Climate/Environmental
Environmental justice
• Cost (cheaper than retrofitting)
• “If the Region supports Complete Streets, we
should say so”
• A regional policy would “act as a catalyst to encourage complete
streets across the region”
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Review Process
TPB Staff worked with the Relevant Committees
and Subcommittees
– Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee, Access for All, the
Bus Subcommittee, the Freight Subcommittee and the
Citizens Advisory Committee provided comments
– January 30th Stakeholder Workshop
– DOT’s and TPB Technical Committee members provided
extensive comments
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March- May Review
• TPB Meeting March 21st
– Preceded by TPB work session on Complete Streets
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Briefing on the Policy Guidance and Template
Arlington, DC Complete Streets Policies and Practices
– CAC, TPB members suggested that there should be a policy, not just a
template
• April 18th TPB Meeting
– TPB approved change in format to policy document with attached template, TIP
form. Suggested:
• Maintain access during construction
• Add an exemption to the template covering conflicts with local policies
• Consider changing the definition of a Complete Street to reduce the number of exempt or nonapplicable projects
• Add links to additional documentation in the TIP form
• TPB Technical Committee May 4th
– Recommended that the TIP description form track implementation of TPB
member Complete Streets policies, not regional Template
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Changes Incorporated in Final Version
1. Complete Streets Policy, IV.3.
–
TPB member jurisdictions and agencies are now to document their
implementation of their own Complete Streets policies in the TIP
project description form.
2. Attachment A, Template
–
The following sentence was added under “Inclusions”: “Access to
existing facilities, especially for persons with disabilities, should be
maintained during construction.”
3. Attachment B, TIP Project Description Form
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Documents implementation of agency or jurisdiction Complete
Streets policies
Agencies are asked:
» As in CLRP, whether bike/ped accommodation is provided
» Whether jurisdiction or agency has a Complete Streets policy
» If it does, choose one:
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Project advances Complete Streets goals
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Non-applicable
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Exempt (list exemption)
» List project URL, project manager name & email, if available
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Responses to Other Suggested
Changes
• Add an exemption in the Policy Template for
inconsistency with a current agency plan or policy.
– Response: Included in TIP sheet. Template is not binding. Agencies
are free to add or remove exemptions to their own policies.
• Change Complete Streets definition to reduce number
of Exempt or Non-applicable projects
– Response: New TIP sheet streamlined, not necessary to change
the definition
• Add more details on type of accommodation in the TIP
project description form
– Response: Detailed information on how users will be
accommodated is best provided through the regional
information clearinghouse or the individual project manager,
rather than the TIP.
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Next Steps
Following TPB Approval:
• Within 120 days
– Survey TPB members on their Complete Streets policies
– Update Bicycle and Pedestrian Project Database
• Within 6 months – Training Session
• Within two years
– Track implementation of Complete Streets Policies in the
Transportation Improvement Program
– Create regional information clearinghouse
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