"Complete Streets in a Box" Toolkit: Long Island

Building upon a toolkit developed in tandem with the Southern Westchester Energy Action Consortium, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, in collaboration with Vision Long Island, has created a "Complete Streets in a Box" toolkit to support the adoption and implementation of complete streets policies by Long Island municipalities. In February 2012, New York State's new Complete Streets Law went into effect and now all transportation projects that receive state and federal funding must consider using complete streets design features. The adoption of local complete streets policies on Long Island helped serve as a catalyst for passage of a state law. However, many communities have yet to adopt their own policies. Given the language of the state law that allows for exemptions for projects that are solely locally funded, it is important that more local communities consider adopting local policies that further encourage the development of a connected complete streets network in our region.

Why do complete streets matter? Complete streets are safe, comfortable, and convenient for travel for everyone, regardless of age or ability—motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation riders. With simple changes to the way we design and build our roads, we can ensure that everyone is safer, no matter where they're going or how they're getting there.

Toolkit Resources

• A PowerPoint presentation that explains complete streets;
• A complete streets policy template, created with Long Island in mind (click here to download as a .docx);
• Two policies already passed on Long Island: Babylon and Great Neck Plaza;
• A sample complete streets resolution (click here to download as a .docx);
• Links to one-pagers that explain how complete streets can improve our region, including through positive impacts on older adults, transportation costs, green streets, health and economic revitalization;
• Links to videos - one that is very introductory and another that is a bit more detailed, introducing complete streets;
• A primer on liability and complete streets in New York.

Additional Resources

• The New York City Streets Design Manual is from the New York State municipality leading the way in creating complete streets. Chapter 2, Geometry, provides real-world examples of street treatments with photos and detailed explanations.
• The NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide outlines state-of-the-art roadway design that accommodates all users of the road using both US and international examples. Although it has the name "urban" in its title, it was created for municipalities with densities and traffic volumes similar to many villages and towns on Long Island. It emphasizes the need to treat bicycles not solely as recreational vehicles, but as a transportation mode.
• The Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE) Traffic Calming guidelines and technical information for Transportation Safety Transportation Planning, Active Living, Pedestrian Mobility and Safety, and more.