Complete Streets Model ResolutionModel Complete Streets Resolution
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, September 2014
Adapted from Complete Streets Policies for the City of Birmingham, AL and City of Somerville, MA
WHEREAS, "Complete Streets" are defined as streets that are designed to accommodate all users, including, - but not limited to,
motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders; and
WHEREAS, "Complete Streets" can include a range of elements to accommodate all users, including, but not limited to, sidewalks, signage, paved shoulders, bicycle lanes, cycle tracks,
traffic lanes shared with motorist including sharrows and other bicycle pavement marking, crosswalks and other pavement marking for pedestrians, pedestrian control signalization, bicycle
actuated traffic signals, bus pull outs, curb cuts, raised crosswalks, roundabouts, traffic islands and other traffic calming measures; and
WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Project Development & Design Guide (2006) states that traffic calming measures are physical elements intended to reduce vehicle speeds and improve driver attentiveness
and are most often applied to existing streets where vehicle operating speeds are in conflict with or incompatible with pedestrian and bicycle activity; and
WHEREAS, Complete Streets support economic growth and community stability by providing accessible and efficient connections between home, school, work, recreation and retail destinations
by improving the pedestrian and vehicular environments throughout communities; and
WHEREAS, Complete Streets enhance safe walking and bicycling options for school-age children, in
recognition of the objectives of the national Safe Routes to School program and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Physical Activity Guidelines”; and
WHEREAS, Complete Streets will help the [city/town] to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as more residents choose an alternative to the single occupant vehicle, thereby improving air quality,
alleviating public health concerns such as asthma, and making possible more green space and flood control by decreasing demand for parking lots; and
WHEREAS, "Complete Streets" can play a role by reducing pedestrian and bicyclist injuries and deaths,
reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality both by promoting alternative forms of transportation and by helping to improve traffic flow; and
WHEREAS, the people of the [city/town] have expressed a strong desire for increased transportation options, including walking, cycling, and transit; and
WHEREAS, implementation of "Complete Street's" application will vary depending on the surrounding land uses and,
dDensities, and its general context, however but street and transportation plans should always be guided by the principle that streets should promote multiple transportation options
for all people;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the [adopting body] strongly endorses a Complete Streets approach for the [city/town] to enhance transportation options and to improve quality of life
for the residents of [city/town] as follows:
[city/town] shall, to the maximum extent practical, scope, plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain all [city/town] streets to provide a comprehensive and integrated network of
facilities for people of all ages and abilities traveling by foot, bicycle, automobile, public transportation, and commercial vehicle.
Such improvements shall be consistent with and supportive of the local community, and that early consideration shall be given to any project's land use and transportation context.
Bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities shall be incorporated, when applicable and practical, in all street projects, re-construction, re-paving, and re-habilitation projects, with
only the following exceptions:
If Bicycles bicycles or pedestrians are prohibited by law from using the facility.
If tThe cost of establishing bikeways or walkways as part of the project would be disproportionate in cost or to anticipated future use (not the current use).
If The the existing right of way is constrained in a manner that inhibits simple addition of transit, bicycle, or pedestrian improvements. In this case, the [city/town] shall consider
alternatives such as lane reduction, lane narrowing, on-street parking relocation or reduction, shoulders, signage, traffic calming, or enforcement.
IfWhere such facilities would constitute a threat to public safety or health in the determination of the [city/town] Traffic Engineer in consultation with the [applicable municipal department].
[city/town] shall, to the maximum extent practical, follow the latest adopted design standards when implementing this policy, including but not limited to:
a. Guidance issued by the:
Massachusetts Project Development & Design Guide (2006)
National Association of City Transportation Officials Urban Bikeway Design Guide
ITE Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach
An ITE Recommended Practice report guidelines
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Green Book
b. Application of design standards shall be flexible, recognizing that all streets are not alike and that user needs should be balanced, and innovative or non-traditional design options
shall be considered.
The [city/town] Engineer shall develop implementation strategies that include revising and updating processes, procedures, design and construction manuals, recommended traffic control
devices, standard construction specifications and other guidance to assist in this resolution's implementation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the [city/town] will work with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and community organizations to achieve the goals set forth in this Complete
Streets policy.
ADOPTED AND SIGNED this ____ , ____
ATTEST
Model Complete Streets Bylaw / Ordinance
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, September 2014
Adapted from Complete Streets Policies for the City of Birmingham, AL and City of Somerville, MA
WHEREAS, "Complete Streets" are defined as streets that are designed to accommodate all users -
motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders; and
WHEREAS, "Complete Streets" can include a range of elements to accommodate all users, including, but not limited to, sidewalks, signage, paved shoulders, bicycle lanes, cycle tracks,
traffic lanes shared with motorist including sharrows and other bicycle pavement marking, crosswalks and other pavement marking for pedestrians, pedestrian control signalization, bicycle
actuated traffic signals, bus pull outs, curb cuts, raised crosswalks, roundabouts, traffic islands and other traffic calming measures; and
WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Project Development & Design Guide (2006) states that traffic calming measures are physical elements intended to reduce vehicle speeds and improve driver attentiveness
and are most often applied to existing streets where vehicle operating speeds are in conflict with or incompatible with pedestrian and bicycle activity; and
WHEREAS, Complete Streets support economic growth and community stability by providing accessible and efficient connections between home, school, work, recreation and retail destinations
by improving the pedestrian and vehicular environments throughout communities; and
WHEREAS, Complete Streets enhance safe walking and bicycling options for school-age children, in
recognition of the objectives of the national Safe Routes to School program and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Physical Activity Guidelines”; and
WHEREAS, Complete Streets will help the [city/town] to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as more residents choose an alternative to the single occupant vehicle, thereby improving air quality,
alleviating public health concerns such as asthma, and making possible more green space and flood control by decreasing demand for parking lots; and
WHEREAS, "Complete Streets" can play a role by reducing pedestrian and bicyclist
injuries and deaths,
reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality both by promoting alternative forms of transportation and by helping to improve traffic flow; and
WHEREAS, the people of the [city/town] have expressed a strong desire for increased transportation options, including walking, cycling, and transit; and
WHEREAS, A Complete Streets [ordinance/bylaw] for [city/town] will integrate Complete Streets planning into all types of projects, including new construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation,
repair, and maintenance during the construction, reconstruction or other changes of transportation facilities on streets and redevelopment projects;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the [adopting body], in session assembled, that the [name of municipal codes] is hereby amended as follows:
The addition of [code citation] as follows:
[city/town] shall enhance the safety, access, convenience and comfort of all users of all ages and abilities, providing for equality in use between pedestrians (including people requiring
mobility aids), bicyclists, transit users, motorists and freight drivers, through the design, operation and maintenance of the transportation network so as to create a connected network
of facilities accommodating each mode of travel that is consistent with and supportive of the local community, recognizing that all streets are different and that the needs of various
users will need to be balanced in a flexible manner to achieve Complete Streets.
[city/town] will incorporate Complete Street elements into public transportation projects in order to provide appropriate accommodation for bicyclists, pedestrians, transit users and
persons of all abilities, while promoting safe operation for all users, in comprehensive and connected networks in a manner consistent with, and supportive of, the surrounding community.
As feasible, [city/town] shall incorporate Complete Streets Infrastructure into existing streets to improve the safety and convenience of users, construct and enhance the transportation
network for each category of users, and foster economic development
and new employment.
[city/town] recognizes that Complete Streets may be achieved through single elements incorporated into a particular project or incrementally through a series of smaller improvements
or maintenance activities over time.
[city/town] shall approach every transportation project and program as an opportunity to improve streets and the transportation network for all users, including conducting, once per
year, a “rules of the road” education campaign to better inform cyclists of [city/town]/state traffic regulations. This work shall be done by [applicable municipal boards, appointed
officials, and departments] and in cooperation with other departments, agencies, jurisdictions and associations.
[city/town] shall follow the following adopted design standards:
Massachusetts Project Development & Design Guide (2006)
National Association of City Transportation Officials Urban Bikeway Design Guide
ITE Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach
An ITE Recommended Practice report guidelines
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Green Book
At a minimum, requirements will be the following:
In developed areas, continuous sidewalks should be provided on both sides of a roadway, minimizing the number of pedestrian crossings required. [If sidewalks are only on one side], the
sidewalk should be provided on the side that minimizes the number of pedestrian crossings.
Pedestrian requirements must be fully considered in the design of intersections [including taking into consideration the following concerns:] crossings and pedestrian curb cut ramp locations;
minimizing curb radius at corners; walking speed, pedestrian flow capacity, traffic control, yielding and delays.
All new and reconstructed sidewalks must be accessible to and usable by person with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Massachusetts Architectural
Access Board.
Dedicated bicycle facilities, including conventional and physically separated bike lanes or cycle tracks, must be fully considered and implemented in the design of streets and intersections
wherever possible.
Along roadway segments, greater separation of motor vehicle and non-motorized users should be provided by implementing cycle tracks, buffered or conventional bicycle lanes, bicycle boxes,
shoulders, or buffered sidewalks.
Where motorized and non-motorized users cannot be separated, traffic calming should be prioritized to implement a low-speed shared street [not to exceed 30 mph primae facia or posted
speed] compatible with bicycle and pedestrian speeds on non-federal aid eligible roads.
Bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities shall be incorporated, when applicable and practical, in all street projects, re-construction, re-paving, and re-habilitation projects, with
only the following exceptions:
Bicycles or pedestrians are prohibited by law from using the facility.
The cost of establishing bikeways or walkways as part of the project would be disproportionate in cost or to anticipated future use (not the current use).
The existing right of way is constrained in a manner that inhibits simple addition of transit, bicycle, or pedestrian improvements. In this case, the [city/town] shall consider alternatives
such as lane reduction, lane narrowing, on-street parking relocation or reduction, shoulders, signage, traffic calming, or enforcement.
Where such facilities would constitute a threat to public safety or health in the determination of the [city/town] Traffic Engineer in consultation with the [applicable department].
All initial planning and design studies, health impact assessments, environmental reviews, and other project reviews for projects requiring funding or approval by [city/town] shall make
effort to (1) evaluate the effect of the proposed project on safe travel by all users, and (2) identify measures to mitigate any adverse impacts on such travel that are identified.
In design guidelines, [city/town] shall coordinate templates with street classifications and revise them to include Complete Streets Infrastructure, such as bicycle lanes and cycle tracks,
sidewalks, street crossings, curb geometries, and planting strips. The design of new or reconstructed facilities should anticipate and support likely future demand for bicycling, walking
and transit facilities.
ADOPTED AND SIGNED this ____ , ____
ATTEST