Complete Streets Toolkit

ON TO 2050 recognizes the need for a modern, efficient transportation system to support the growth, diversity, and prosperity of the region.  To help achieve this, the plan recommends policies, actions, and investments to improve travel safety. Improving conditions for bicycling, walking, and the use of public transportation, includes a Complete Streets approach to planning and designing local transportation systems.  Complete Streets is a transportation policy and design approach that requires streets to be planned, designed, operated, and maintained to enable safe, convenient, and comfortable travel and access for all anticipated roadway users, regardless of their age, abilities, or mode of travel. 

Cost-effective modernization and repair of the transportation system, much of which is decades old, is essential to our region's future prosperity.  Creating Complete Streets to serve all anticipated users is a crucial element in achieving a modern, efficient, and sustainable transportation system.

This toolkit is the result of a collaboration between the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Active Transportation Alliance, and the National Complete Streets Coalition.  It is a guide for incorporating a Complete Streets approach into local planning, design, and construction processes and documents.

The toolkit consists of the following seven components:

• Complete Streets: The Basics 
  An overview of the concept of Complete Streets describing the benefits that can result from adopting and implementing a Complete Streets policy and approach.  
   
• Policy Development and Adoption
  Complete Streets policies, including the various types of policies and the elements that can make policies most effective. 
   
• Policy Implementation
  Information and practical steps on how to implement a Complete Streets policy. 
   
• Overall Design Concepts and Considerations
  Key design concepts and general considerations that inform and guide roadway planning and design processes and help achieve Complete Streets. 
   
• Facility Types
  Inventory and image gallery with links to basic definitions, descriptions, and additional images of bicycle, pedestrian, and key transit facility types to help planners and designers create Complete Streets.  
   
• Select Treatments
  Definitions, descriptions, images, and links to additional resources on important engineering and design treatments for accommodating non-motorized travellers at intersections and crossing locations and to calm traffic and manage speeds. 
   
• Additional Resources
  Sample Complete Streets policy implementation plan, and links to key resources for 1) roadway design standards and guidance and 2) traffic calming and speed management.