Download - Complete Streets Chatham - Susan Blickstein
2013 NJ Complete Streets Summit
The Importance of Context in Institutionalizing a Local Complete Streets
Policy: Chatham Borough Case Study
Susan G. Blickstein, PP/AICP, PhD
10/21/2013
Overview
• Funded by ANJEC Grant• Steering Committee • Policy Plan • Importance of local CONTEXT in plan and
policy preparation and implementation
Chatham Borough
• Southeastern Morris County • 2.4 square miles/9,000
residents• Built-out community with
downtown core• RETROFIT IN DEVELOPED
CONTEXT (ROW constraints).
Key Elements of Policy Plan: More than a Resolution
• Vision Statement & Goals• Policy Language (Resolution)• Complete Streets Measures – general design
guidance based on local context• Educational Program Recommendations• Roadway Project Checklist• Performance Measures
Vision Statement
“ Develop strategies, policies and goals that promote individual and community health and sustainability through the provision of transportation options that encourage physical activity while preserving and enhancing the existing assets of Chatham Borough.”
Select Goals – CONTEXT• Building on the historic, mixed-use downtown of
Chatham, plan pleasant and accessible places to walk, cycle, and access transit.
• Enhance current walking and bicycling opportunities through improvements that expand existing safe routes to destinations.
• Promote walking, bicycling and transit use through consideration of specific street safety needs of children, older adults, and people with disabilities in new and retrofit projects, especially those projects at and near schools, community facilities, transportation hubs, and the downtown.
Select Goals - CONTEXT • Ensure that complete streets projects reflect and
consider the environmental, cultural, and historic context of the Borough.
• Promote outreach and education to all street users regarding mutual respect and rules of the road in a multi-modal environment.
• Implement the complete streets policies to support other local initiatives such as Sustainable Jersey certification and SRTS.
• Involve residents and business owners in promoting walking and cycling locally.
• Seek public input via surveys for certain types of projects.
Local Checklist – Streets/Crossings/Sidewalks
Local Checklist – Streets/Crossings/Sidewalks
Local Checklist - Use
• Insert checklist
Local Checklist – Contextual Factors
Local Checklist - Safety
Performance Measures
1. Safety & Use
2. Improved Accessibility for Users of All Ages & Abilities
3. New Infrastructure and/or Retrofitted Streets
4. Consideration of Historic & Environmental Resources
5. Education Events & Community Outreach
6. Implementation of Sustainable Jersey Certification Actions
7. Funding Support and Cost/Benefit Analysis.
http://www.chathamborough.org/chatham/Plans-Reports/Complete%20Streets%20Policy%20Plan%203-21-2012.pdf
Related Efforts that Reinforce CS Policy
• Local Traffic Committee • SRTS Efforts• Ordinance Changes • Checklist– Complete Streets measures included in recent maintenance and reconstruction projects
[email protected] G. Blickstein PP, AICP, PhD