Complete Streets Policy for the National Capital Region National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board May 16, 2

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

2. 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

3. Reasons for a Regional Complete Streets Policy • Supports TPB Vision, Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, and Region Forward Goals • 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”

4. 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

5. March- May Review • TPB Meeting March 21st • Preceded by TPB work session on Complete Streets • 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 non-applicable 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

6. Changes Incorporated in Final Version • 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. • Attachment A, Template • The following sentence was added under “Inclusions”: “Access to existing facilities, especially for persons with disabilities, should be maintained during construction.” • Attachment B, TIP Project Description Form • 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: • Project advances Complete Streets goals • Non-applicable • Exempt (list exemption) • List project URL, project manager name & email, if available

7. 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.

8. 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