Kansas City regional Complete Streets Policy and resource - Mid-America Regional Council

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Complete streets — sometimes referred to as livable streets — are roadways designed for safe and convenient travel by users of all ages and abilities. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders must be able to safely move along and across a complete street.

Transportation Outlook 2040, the Kansas City region's current Metropolitan Transportation Plan, envisions a transportation system that meets the needs of all users and offers broad mobility choices. The plan includes policies and strategies that support implementing complete streets.

Complete streets policies are recognized as an important element in achieving the region's goals of a comprehensive transportation system. These policies provide a planning and political framework for using transportation investments to ensure that rights of way are routinely designed and operated to enable safe access for all users.

Why design complete streets?

* Improve public safety

By making roads more accessible for all modes of transportation, complete streets provide safe and convenient travel for persons of all ages and abilities, including children and the elderly.
Promote good health

Complete streets make active living easy by providing streets and sidewalks that encourage walking and biking. They build a physical environment where residents are connected and mobile.

* Provide economic benefits

Complete streets create attractive transportation corridors that make businesses both inviting and easily accessible. Attractive corridors increase property value and visibility for both homes and business owners.
Enhance environmental quality

Not only do complete streets improve air quality by providing space that encourages low-emission travel, they include effective green infrastructure that retain and treat stormwater runoff and improve water quality. Also, complete streets provide landscaping elements that can reduce the heat island effect in urban communities.

* Ensure long-term savings

Costs for complete streets might be more initially, but are offset by the many long-term benefits they bring. Complete streets may reduce construction and maintenance costs when roadways are narrowed and stormwater is more efficiently managed.

Link: 

Kansas City regional Complete Streets Policy and resource - Mid-America Regional Council

MoBikeFed comment: The Mid-America Regional Council has been one of the leaders in Missouri in adopting, implementing, and continually improving the regional Complete Streets policy. Follow the link for more information about the policy, training, guidance, and benefits:

http://www.marc.org/Transportation/Special-Projects/Regional-Initiatives...