Complete Streets

Facilities that may be found on a Complete street include sidewalks, bicycle lanes and/or markings, special bus lanes, transit stops, frequent pedestrian crossing opportunities, median islands, pedestrian signals, curb extensions and more. Complete Streets promote pedestrian, bicycle and public transportation as alternatives to automobile travel to reduce environmental impacts, reduce traffic congestion and improve safety for all users and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Legislation

In August, 2011, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Complete Streets Act, which requires state, county and local agencies to consider the convenience and mobility of all users when developing transportation projects that receive state and federal funding.

Elements

The specific design elements of Complete Streets vary, based on context and project goals, but they may include:

  • Pedestrian infrastructure such as sidewalks, traditional and raised crosswalks, median crossing islands; ADA compliant facilities including audible cues for people with low vision, push buttons reachable by people in wheelchairs, and curb cuts and sidewalk bulb-outs.
  • Traffic calming measures to lower speeds of automobiles and define the edges of automobile travel lanes, including a road diet, center medians, shorter curb corner radii, elimination of free-flow right-turn lanes, angled, face-out parking, street trees, planter strips and ground cover
  • Bicycle accommodations, such as protected or dedicated bicycle lanes green ways, wide paved shoulders and bicycle parking.
  • Public transit accommodations, such as Bus Rapid Transit, bus pullouts, transit signal priority, bus shelters, and dedicated bus lanes.

NYMTC Region

New York City and numerous counties, municipalities, villages and towns have adopted formal Complete Street resolutions or policies that apply to roads and streets under their jurisdictions.

Go to NYSDOT Complete Street website →