Complete Streets Study

In an effort to promote the use of all transportation modes and make Southern Nevada a more sustainable place to live, the RTC is conducting a regional Complete Streets Study.

What is a Complete Street?

• A road designed to be safe for all users.
• Includes design features that aim to make streets pleasant places for all users.
• Users include car drivers, transit riders, pedestrians of all ages and abilities, and bicyclists.

Complete Streets Benefits

• Make walking, biking, and transit riding more attractive.
• Improve travel options for groups that have limited access to cars.
• Improve safety of various modes.
• Increase the likelihood of physical activity.
• Reduce air quality emissions.
• Improve the economic situation for communities.

Objectives of the RTC Complete Streets Study

• To create a Regional Complete Streets Report that discusses the goals, policies, criteria, design standards, and implementation recommendations.
• To identify roadway segments best suited for complete street designs, to create design specifications
  for them, and to recommend possible funding sources.

Current Status of the Study

• The study began September 2010.
• The consultant for the study has reviewed the literature and experiences of developing complete street policies and standards in other regions.
• The first stakeholder meeting of the study took place in mid-September. Representatives from RTC, FAST, City of Las Vegas, City of North Las Vegas, City of Henderson, Clark County, and Nevada Department of Transportation participated at the meeting.
• The second meeting took place in December 2010. The stakeholder group discussed key elements needed for complete streets development in Southern Nevada, roles each jurisdiction might play, and the essential goals for a policy.
• The third meeting took place March 2011. The stakeholder group discuss potential evaluation criteria of candidate roadways for complete street features.
• The fourth meeting took place May 2011. The stakeholder group discussed design guidance and a recommended process for implementing complete street projects.

Web Resources for Complete Streets

National Complete Streets Coalition Website
A wealth of information on complete streets. Includes policy implementation guides, compiled facts relating to complete streets, and resources for further research. www.completestreets.org

America Walks: Benefits of a Walkable Community
Links to publications regarding the economic, physical health and mental health benefits of walk able communities.
http://www.americawalks.org/resources/benefitsofawalkablecommunity/

The National Center for Bicycling and Walking Library
Portal to publications on creating pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly places.
http://www.bikewalk.org/library.php

Creating Walkable Communities – A guide for local governments
Guidelines for creating walkable communities. Includes a section on planning-specific issues: comprehensive plans, zoning, site plans and design review, and retrofitting existing areas.
http://www.bikewalk.org/pdfs/ncbwpubwalkablecomm.pdf

Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Complete Streets Checklist
A checklist for project sponsors to check the project’s adherence to the Complete Streets Policy. Includes a short list of possible design elements on p. 7 http://www.morpc.org/trans/CompleteStreets_MORPC_CS_ChecklistFINAL2010-03-31WithAppendices.pdf

Context Sensitive Solutions in Designing Major Urban Thoroughfares for Walkable Communities
Principles and guidelines for designing places amenable to pedestrians and cyclists. Includes case studies.
http://ite.org/bookstore/RP036.pdf