Disability and Health Partners Meeting

2011 DISABILITY and
H E A LT H PA RT N E R S M E E T I N G
June 14 – 16, 2011
Cross-cutting Issues –
Concurrent Sessions
Improving Accessibility for All
Through Complete Streets
Policies
Stefanie Seskin
National Complete Streets Coalition
June 16, 2011
Incomplete Streets
Uninviting bus stops: no sidewalks, curb
cuts, or comfortable place to wait
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Incomplete Streets
Inaccessible sidewalks: no curb cuts = no
way to safely cross, move along roads
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Incomplete Streets
Wide, fast-moving roads: dangerous for
bicycling, walking across
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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We know how to build good streets…
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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…but too often, we don’t.
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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The Solution:
Complete Streets
Complete Streets are
safe, comfortable,
and convenient for
travel by everyone,
regardless of age or
ability – motorists,
pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation
riders.
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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The Solution:
Complete Streets
A Complete Streets policy ensures that the entire
right of way is planned, designed, and operated
to provide safe access for all users.
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Why Have a Complete Streets
Policy?
To ensures that all users
are part of routine,
everyday transportation
practice.
–Reverse the ‘burden of
proof’
–Assume pedestrians,
bicyclists, and transit
users will be there,
unless proven otherwise.
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Why have a Complete Streets policy?
To gradually create a
complete network of
roads that serve all
users.
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Why have a Complete Streets policy?
To provide flexible solutions to community
transportation needs.
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Why Have a Complete Streets
policy?
To take advantage of
all opportunities to
create better streets:
• Planning
• Design
• Maintenance
• Operations
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Building Partnerships
Policy development should include all
stakeholders:
• Members of the community
• Elected officials
• Transportation agencies
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Building Partnerships
Policy development campaigns are a
valuable tool for:
• Changing transportation priorities
• Establishing a new ideal for streets
• Communicating with the public
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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National Steering Committee
AARP
Active Living by Design
Alliance for Biking and Walking
America Bikes
America Walks
American Council of the Blind
American Planning Association
American Public Transportation
Association
American Society of Landscape
Architects
Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle
Professionals
City of Boulder, Colorado
Institute of Transportation Engineers
League of American Bicyclists
National Association of Area Agencies
on Aging
National Association of City
Transportation Officials
National Association of REALTORS
National Center for Bicycling and
Walking
Ryan Snyder Associates
Safe Routes to School National
Partnership
Smart Growth America
SvR Design Company
Transportation for America
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Benefits: Health
30
60
25
50
20
40
15
30
10
20
5
10
0
0
N
Percent Walk, Bike,Transit
Percent of Obesity
Obesity is lower in places where people use
bicycles, public transportation, and their feet.
d ia a d e d y n y n ia s d k
SAalan tral nad elan anc lan Ital pai ma n e de str land rlan mar
U e us a Ir Fr in
S er w Au er tze en
F
Z A C
G S
eth wi D
ew
N S
Obesity
Walk, Bike, Transit
Pucher, “Walking and Cycling: Path to Improved Public Health,” Fit City Conference, NYC, June 2009
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Benefits: Health
1/3 of regular transit users meet the daily
minimum requirement for physical activity.
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Benefits: People with Disabilities
Complete Streets
improve mobility,
independence;
reduce need for
costly paratransit
service.
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Benefits: People with Disabilities
Complete Streets
feature curb cuts,
high visibility
crosswalks, and other
designs for travelers
with disabilities.
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Benefits: People with Disabilities
ADA requires sidewalks
to be accessible.
ADA does not require
sidewalks where none
exist.
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Benefits: People with Disabilities
Complete Streets changes that: if there’s a
need, sidewalks must be provided.
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Benefits: Transit
The shelter meets
ADA guidelines…
…but is inaccessible.
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Benefits: Transit
Now, it’s accessible!
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Benefits: Older Adults
By 2025, nearly 1/5 of
Americans will be 65
or older.
About ½ of all nondrivers over the age
of 65 would like to
get out more often.
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Benefits: Older Adults
• Create streets that
support older drivers
and pedestrians
through better design.
• Stay active and
involved in their
communities.
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Measuring Results
Policy, Systems, Environment:
• Assess strength of written policy language
• Guide changes to agency practices
• Evaluate on-the-ground outcomes
• Measure longer term results
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Measuring Results
• 200+ policies adopted
through 2010
• Evaluated against ‘ideal’
policy
• Provides clarity on best
practices in language
• Examples of top policies
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Measuring Results
Effective implementation means:
• Restructure procedures, policies, and
programs
• Rewrite/update design guidance
• Offer training opportunities to planners
and engineers
• Create new performance measures
2011 Disability and Health Partners Meeting, June 14 – 16, 2011
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Measuring Results
In Seattle, Washington:
• 51 new crosswalks & 2,768
repaired or remarked
• 54 blocks of new sidewalks
• 91 miles of new bike facilities
• 1,194 curb ramps constructed
& 51 retrofitted
• 2,422 new street trees
• 93 new pedestrian countdown
signals
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Measuring Results
Consistent investments in Boulder, Colorado:
Transit:
2x national average.
Walking:
3x national average.
Bicycling:
20x national average.
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Our Approach
Work together to change cultural, political,
and practical expectations.
• Think mainstream, establish a new ‘norm’
• Build political will
• Redefine the problem
• Break down traditional silos
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Thank you!
Stefanie Seskin
State & Local Policy Manager,
National Complete Streets Coalition
sseskin@completestreets.org
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