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City of Raleigh 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update
Complete Streets / Multimodal Transportation Roundtable Discussion

Progress Energy Center for Performing Arts - Kennedy Theatre
2 East South Street, Raleigh, NC
May 8th, 2008
6pm – 8:30 pm

AGENDA

Overview
A “complete street” is one containing provisions for all potential users of the right of way. As defined on the web site of the Complete Streets Coalition, “complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and bus riders of all ages and abilities are able to safely move along and across a complete street.” The emphasis in this definition is on accommodation and safety. However, the Coalition identifies other benefits as well, including facilitating and encouraging non-motorized travel (with the attendant environmental benefits); improving access and mobility for those who don’t or can’t drive, including the young and elderly; and promoting healthy lifestyles by providing walking, jogging and biking opportunities to people.

Planning and Policy Issues
“Complete Streets” is a new term for a simple idea. All public roads have an associated right of way. Space within that right of way can be allocated for various functions, including vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian circulation, as well as accommodations for transit facilities. In addition, differing levels of design attention and capital investment can be lavished on each of these modes. Up to a certain point, accommodations can be made for one mode without impacting levels of service for another. Beyond that point, trade-offs must be made. Fundamentally, the implementation of a Complete Streets program involves the allocation of scarce resources:

• Physical resources, specifically the width of the right of way
• Financial resources, specifically limited capital dollars for roadway improvements.
• Human resources, specifically the time, safety and comfort of drivers, cyclists, walkers and transit riders.

These allocation decisions are typically made by public sector decision-makers, who must answer questions such as:

• Where will public investments lead to the greatest benefit in terms of public safety, non-motorized trip share, and convenience?
• What are the appropriate street design standards given travel demand and the existing or proposed land use patterns for the corridor?
• If sacrifices in capacity are contemplated, are the costs of the resulting public inconvenience outweighed by meaningful public benefits?

These decisions need to be made in a policy framework which addresses:

• Observed and projected demand for different modes of travel, including autos, transit, cycling and walking
• Existing and proposed land use and development patterns adjacent to and in the vicinity of the corridor
• Safety data including vehicular-pedestrian accidents
• Urban design considerations
• The role of the corridor in the overall transportation network

Existing Policy Guidance & Planning Efforts
While Raleigh does not have a formal Complete Streets program or policy, it has several existing policies and planning efforts that are relevant:

• The Thoroughfare Plan classifies major and minor roadways by function (i.e. residential street, commercial street, collector street, minor thoroughfare, major thoroughfare, secondary arterial and principal arterial)
• The Streets, Sidewalks and Driveways Access Handbook provides both regulations and guidance for public and private roadway design
• Urban Design Guidelines for both the downtown and Neighborhood and Village centers address street design as well as bike and pedestrian facilities
• Raleigh’s sidewalk program, a part of the Capital Improvement Program, includes criteria for prioritizing sidewalk investments.
• A bicycle master plan is underway which will identify priority corridors for bicycle improvements
• Include new sidewalk construction with all CIP roadway projects
  

Relationship to the Comprehensive Plan
The Comprehensive Plan is the foundation for the City’s land use codes, design manuals, and guidelines, which set the standards for street design in private developments. The updated Comprehensive Plan is also proposed to play a much stronger role in the development of the City’s Capital Improvement Program, the major vehicle for implementing Complete Street-style improvements on existing streets. As part of the background studies and policy development for the Plan, the relevant factors—including future land use, accident data, and travel demand projections—are all be compiled and analyzed. As the primary policy document shaping the physical development of Raleigh, the Comprehensive Plan provides both a process for exploring and testing Complete Streets policies, as well as a vehicle for their implementation.

See more information about Raleigh 2030 roundtable discussions here

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