Complete Streets

Several resources were studied to have a better understanding of the concept of a Complete Street and numerous case studies were done to comprehend and extract what has been done in the past. The parameters were initially drafted together which will be then implemented into the model that will be analyzed for a better grasp.

 

To have an in-depth understanding of a complete street, the best definition from a technical perspective has been given by IBI Group in association with Parsons and Brook Mcllroy (2016). They defined complete streets as corridors consisting of roads and adjacent land planned with the development of the future in mind. The motion of pedestrians, transport and the surroundings are integrated with efficiency and accountability to help people of all ages and abilities travel through the region (IBI Group, 2016). These areas form the uniqueness of its characteristics as well as transportation system and establish the standard of thriving communities.

 

Some of the elements that have been looked at and outlined by IBI group (2016), which are essential and significant in their role play are:

• Sidewalks

• Landscaping

• Pedestrian Amenities

• Street Parking

• Passive Traffic flow

• Cycling Facility

• Mid-block crossings

• Priority Lanes

 

In their report of Niagara Region Complete Streets Design Guidelines, with the vision of developing better roads within the region, IBI Group (2016) has categorized roads into different typologies. These typologies were considered from unique parameters and infrastructure and are then used later in the model for further understanding.

 

The Complete Streets for Niagara (2012) article gives a brief understanding of why complete street policies are important and talks about the policies that have been implemented in the past and how that impacted the region.  These policies have seemed to help not only the municipality to develop and execute better infrastructure within the road corridor, but have also helped the community and businesses surrounding the areas of interest to inspire and emerge in a more efficient cycle and set strong economic foundations. In general terms, different roads require a diverse number of parameters to be set to have the optimum system in place, the complete street outlook also varies in terms of appearance in different places.

 

These executions of complete streets with the policies, infrastructure and elements have shown significant changes in improving public health, economic value of the area, social growth, accessibility, active transportation and has built a sense of community within the local establishments (Complete Streets for Niagara, 2012).

 

Although the sense of a complete street brings a positive vibe in its understanding, there are also some implications as well. There is the aspect of infrastructure depreciation, limited active transport movement, limitation in terms of employment, parking restrictions, government funding, budget, and due to the aging population, changes in the perceptions of safety (Complete Streets for Niagara, 2012).

 

Although there are issues with implementing such initiatives, many of the things have been brought to attention which have been outlined by (Clarke, 2012) in his presentation about complete streets for Niagara. Some of the things that have been brought to attention are: lack of pedestrian walkways, lack of cycling space, lack of land for investment purposes, lack of social gathering and public space, and most of all, lack of the sense of community.

 

Having an overall understanding about Complete Streets, further research was conducted which assisted in the development of the model and helped in terms of outlining the aspects when the group’s area of interest was studied.