Comprehensive Transportation Policy - Scored 65th of 65
Smart Growth America & The National Complete Streets Coalition have released their April 2013 report: "The Best Complete Streets Policies of 2012". One hundred and thirty communities joined the list in 2012, bringing the total to 488 Complete Streets Policies nationwide.All 488 have been examined and scored for ten elements of their policy language. That is, the efficacy of each communities' policy language was analyzed, scored and weighted, based on research and experience.
"These elements refine a community’s vision, provide clear direction and intent, complement community needs, and grant the flexibility needed to create an effective Complete Streets process and outcome."
The 10 elements are:
- Vision and intent [5, 5] {6}
- All users and modes [1, 4] {20}
- Projects and phases to which it applies [5, 12] {12}
- Exceptions which are clear and accountable [0, 0] {16}
- Network of connectivity [5, 2] {2}
- Jurisdiction [2, 3.2] {8}
- Design [[0, 0] {4}
- Context sensitivity [0, 0] {8}
- Performance measures [0, 0] {4}
- Implementation next steps [0, 0] {20}
[Concord's score, x, and weighted score, y, are indicated as [x, y] out of a possible {z}]:
Policies are adopted at different levels of government as laws, resolutions, executive orders, policies, or planning and design documents. Keene, NH and Portland, ME have adopted resolutions, while the State of Vermont has adopted legislation.
Of the 65 Cities who have adopted a City Policy for Complete Streets (report pages 38-41), the top score was 92.8, awarded to Baldwin Park, CA. Runners up are New Hope, MN at 88.0, and Oak Park, IL at 80.0. Concord's Comprehensive Transportation Policy was adopted in 2010, and is analyzed in the report on page 41.
Announcing the best Complete Streets policies of 2012
April 8, 2013 by Alex Dodds
How does Concord compare?
Committees and Staff have worked hard to get a policy in place and Concord is one of only two cities in New Hampshire with a Complete Streets Policy, which is a good beginning - a starting place. Concord scored 27.2 points out of 100.There is a field of players now for comparison and I believe Concord can do much better in providing adequate transportation choice. Currently Concord is 65th of 65 cities with policies.We can improve our standing by following the lead set forth by DOT Secretary LaHood.
FastLane - Official Blog of DOT Sec. Ray LaHood - April 1, 2013:
Bike safety summits get an enthusiastic green light
"Last month at the National Bike Summit, I said "It's time to take the bicycling renaissance to the next level." And I proposed to help do that by changing the conversation from "Bicycling has earned a seat at the transportation table," to "Like all forms of transportation, bicycling must be safe.""
"... whether you're driving a tractor-trailer, sitting in the back seat of a minivan, or pedaling a bike, the road safety you enjoy shouldn't depend on the number of wheels you're riding on."
"When I say that safety is this Department's number one priority, there's no exception for bikes. With more bicyclists on our streets, helping them ride safely is not a luxury; it's part of our obligation."
All Users & Modes
The first element of analysis, is of the organization's intent of their Complete Streets Policy. The second element is how all users and modes of transportation are included. From the Report [emphasis added]:"No policy is a Complete Streets policy without a clear statement affirming that people who travel by foot or on bicycle are legitimate users of the transportation system and equally deserving of safe facilities to accommodate their travel. It is therefore a requirement to include both modes—walking and bicycling—in the policy before it can be further analyzed."In this blog I have been illuminating why the Concord TIGER Grant funded Main Street Complete Streets Project fails to be a Complete Streets solution. As a taxpayer to both federal and state government, I believe it is inappropriate to accept these funds for a project which clearly excludes safe access for all users. Please join me in asking the Council and designers to provide safe infrastructure for all users, or discontinue the project and decline the federal dollars.
"Beyond those two modes, our methodology requires policies to include public transit to receive any additional points. Including one more mode, such as cars, freight traffic, emergency response vehicles, or equestrians, earns a total of two points. Including two additional user groups earns the policy three points."
"Beyond the type of user is a more nuanced understanding that not all people who move by a certain mode are the same. For a reference to the needs of people young and old, a policy receives one additional point. For including people with disabilities, another point is awarded."