TNJ Sustainability & Resilience Toolkit: Sustainability Solutions
Complete Streets
Streets are typically designed for cars at the expense of more environmentally friendly and healthier transportation options such as public transit, walking and biking. Complete streets is a concept and practice whereby low-traffic streets and neighborhood streets are designed to safely and efficiently accommodate all modes of transportation and all users regardless of age and ability. Complete streets balance the needs of drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, transit vehicles, emergency responders and goods movements. Redesigning streets for all modes and users enhances access and mobility, improves traffic conditions and supports community revitalization. Complete streets advance environmental sustainability by expanding opportunities for using green alternatives to the private automobile and supporting smart growth development patterns.
Related TNJ Plan Focus Areas
Focus Area 6: Create vibrant places and neighborhoods that will attract and retain residents, workers and visitors
Focus Area 7: Connect people and places with safe, convenient and reliable transportation
Focus Area 12: Improve health outcomes for our region’s residents
Implementation Strategies
Adopt a complete streets policy
Adopt a complete streets policy
Adopt a complete streets resolution or ordinance that ensures the needs of all users are considered.
Incorporate into development process
Incorporate into development process
Amend regulations to ensure new development includes complete streets.
Implement through capital programming
Implement through capital programming
Incorporate complete streets into road projects and the municipal Capital Improvement Program.
Initiate a pilot complete streets project
Initiate a pilot complete streets project
Use pilot projects or pop-up installations such as temporary bike lanes.
Encourage biking and walking and educate on safety
Encourage biking and walking and educate on safety
Participate in programs that encourage people to bike and walk and educate them on safety issues.