Developing Snapshots for Transportation Planning (2025)

Chapter: Appendix F: Draft Snapshot Prototypes

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Suggested Citation: "Appendix F: Draft Snapshot Prototypes." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Developing Snapshots for Transportation Planning. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29170.
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APPENDIX F

Draft Snapshot Prototypes

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Suggested Citation: "Appendix F: Draft Snapshot Prototypes." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Developing Snapshots for Transportation Planning. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29170.
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The following pages present a draft Snapshot prototype.

The infographic is titled ‘Snapshots of Planning Practices: Complete Streets Implementation. Key Practices.’ The text below the title reads, ‘Complete Streets are roadways designed to meet the needs of all roadway users, including pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, and public transit users. The scope of this Snapshot is to identify and demonstrate the policies, methods, tools, and processes used by state D O T s and M P O s to accommodate these different modal uses of the roadway and road rights-of-way. Our research indicated that practitioners are seeking information on Complete Streets policy, community engagement approaches, and implementation or design.’ The infographic is divided into three major sections. The data given in the sections are as follows: Section 1, BUILDING: A. Organization, workforce, and partnerships: a) Identifying Complete Streets champions within the organization. These individuals can lead engagement with the organization, with other agencies, and with other planning organizations in prioritizing and making the case for Complete Streets. b) Assessing staff familiarity with Complete Streets concepts and devising curricula for training staff on road diets, pedestrian and active transportation safety, and multimodal roadways, as needed. B. Data and performance management: a) Conducting an inventory of available data related to active transportation and starting to collect and consolidate relevant data and identify gaps. b) Identifying a prioritized active transportation network and translating this information into a geographic information system (G I S) layer. Agencies also may make this layer available internally and provide guidance on how to integrate the information into the project scoping process. C. Policy and program design: a) Establishing a Complete Streets policy. This policy could include: goals or objectives, discussion of existing data gaps, key messaging (both internally and with members of the public), mechanisms and processes for public involvement or input on projects, and model design principles or standards. b) Considering immediate funding sources for Complete Streets projects. If possible, explore funding opportunities such as state matching funds. Section 2, MATURING: A. Organization, workforce, and partnerships: a) Identifying and engaging active transportation and pedestrian coalitions and stakeholders. b) Working collaboratively with partner agencies to determine ongoing responsibilities related to the maintenance of Complete Streets infrastructure. Integrating the understanding of these roles into Complete Streets policies. c) Utilizing relationships established in the “Building” phase to encourage localities to develop their own local road safety plans. B. Data and performance management: a) Establishing performance measures for Complete Streets projects. For example, agencies might look at bicycle or pedestrian fatalities, mode shift, miles of infrastructure built, and equity in active transportation usage. b) Implementing strategies identified in the Complete Streets policy document to fill existing data gaps. C. Policy and program design: As the Complete Streets program expands, utilizing pilots as demonstrations of non-standard roadway designs. Ensuring adequate evaluation mechanisms are in place in order to justify approaches to be implemented more widely. Section 3, LEADING: A. Organization, workforce, and partnerships: a) Deepening relationships with active transportation and pedestrian coalitions by conducting these groups to discuss the organization’s approach toward Complete Streets and to seek input. b) Institutionalizing Complete Streets as an integral component of certain types of transportation projects. Explore opportunities to use funding mechanisms to encourage the inclusion of multimodal users early in conceptual project phases. B. Data and performance management: a) Standing up a public-facing portal that visualizes established performance metrics and measures related to Complete Streets. b) Integrating bicycle and pedestrian data into regional transportation modeling. c) Expanding data collection as needed and exploring data exchanges as a way to share and combine Complete Streets data across or within organizations. C. Policy and program design: a) Establishing resources for technical assistance for Complete Streets implementation. This technical assistance may be linked to state funding programs. b) Developing Complete Streets education and or toolkits for organization staff. c) Addressing regulatory barriers to Complete Streets (For example, right-of-way acquisition). As needed, utilize relationships and champion established in the “Building” phase to advocate for legislative action.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix F: Draft Snapshot Prototypes." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Developing Snapshots for Transportation Planning. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29170.
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The infographic is titled ‘Snapshots of Planning Practices: Complete Streets Implementation. Examples.’ The infographic is divided into three major sections. The data given in the sections are as follows: Section 1, BUILDING: While Kansas D O T (K D O T) has not implemented its Complete Streets program to date and sees itself in the “scoping” or “infancy” stage with regard to Complete Streets, the organization has done substantial work to prepare the agency to implement such a program. K D O T has developed a G I S layer of known preferred routes for cyclists (the “Priority Route Network”) and implemented a process wherein projects overlapping this layer must undergo additional evaluation of shoulder width. K D O T also matches funding for all Safe Streets and Roads for All funding. For these grantees, K D O T established the Kansas Infrastructure Hub and the Built Kansas Fund, which is an organized technical assistance program for applications. Additionally, K D O T’s Local Roads Safety Initiative was an effort to encourage (with the aid of state funding) all 105 counties in Kansas to develop a local road safety plan. In support of this effort, K D O T developed an active transportation planning toolkit for small- and mid-sized communities. The champion identified in Kansas was the Bureau Chief of Transportation Safety. The Secretary of Transportation, the Governor, and several staff members also championed the effort, which is communicated as a safety initiative (the “Safe Streets Program”). The logo of the Kansas Department of Transportation along with the state map of Kansas are given. Section 2, MATURING: The Arlington Neighborhood Complete Streets Program (N C S) was established in 2016. A key feature of the N C S is the establishment of a Neighborhood Commission, a 5-member board that advises the County’s board and makes project recommendations. Divesting responsibility to this advisory body allows the board to operate more efficiently and effectively and allows for greater civic participation in Complete Streets implementation. Having addressed the most straightforward Complete Streets projects in the County by 2016, N C S’ task was to tackle increasingly complex projects. A key practice of N C S is the use of pilot projects to test out new approaches towards Complete Streets. For example, N C S has used pilots to test out a shared streets approach in locations where the D O T does not have the usable right of way (R O W) to provide a sidewalk. N C S currently has nine pilot projects ongoing and plans to launch an additional three projects. Since 2020, they have allocated U S D 4.25 million toward Complete Streets Projects, including both Capital and Tactical (pilot) projects. The N C S itself is funded through the County’s Capital Improvement Plan. N C S uses its Neighborhood Complete Streets Program Guide to guide project selection and prioritization. This document ensures that safety is the main objective of the proposed project. The logo of Neighborhood Complete Streets along with the state map of Virginia are given. Section 3, LEADING: In March 2022, M T C adopted a new Complete Streets Policy (M T C Resolution No. 4493), which requires that projects funded with regional funds implement local Complete Streets plans and implement All Ages and Abilities design guidelines on the Active Transportation Network. In support of this policy, M T C offers a Complete Streets checklist which can be used by agencies applying for regional transportation funds to make sure that people who bike and walk are considered early in project development. M T C’s Active Transportation Network Map is an interactive public-facing portal that incorporates active transportation locations across the Bay Area. Layers display priority development areas, equity priority communities, transit-rich areas, and planned and existing transportation infrastructure by county. M T C also provides funding, toolkits, webinars, and other resources to help cities create Complete Streets. For example, M T C offers resources and a toolkit for Complete Streets “Quick-Build” projects. M T C and the Bay Area Governments (A B A G) coordinate to offer technical assistance resources across Complete Streets topics on their portal. The logo of Metropolitan Transportation Commission along with the state map of California are given.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix F: Draft Snapshot Prototypes." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Developing Snapshots for Transportation Planning. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29170.
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The infographic is titled ‘Snapshots of Planning Practices: Complete Streets Implementation. Resources.’ The infographic is divided into three major sections. The data given in the sections are as follows: Section 1, BUILDING: Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: This Institute of Transportation Engineers (I T E) guidebook provides guidance for practitioners to design major urban streets to support walkable and bikeable communities, compact development, and mixed land uses. Complete Streets Policy Framework: This Smart Growth America and National Complete Streets Coalition (N C SC ) guidance document identifies the elements of a comprehensive Complete Streets policy to help communities develop and implement Complete Streets policies and practices. Moving to a Complete Streets Design Model: A Report to Congress on Opportunities and Challenges: This F H W A report to Congress identifies opportunities and ongoing challenges for Complete Streets implementation and details its approach to furthering Complete Streets to improve safety and accessibility for all users. Complete Streets Transformations: This document provides examples of how to implement a Complete Street, specifically on arterials, using six scenarios. Proven Safety Countermeasures: This resource provides 28 countermeasures that are effective at reducing fatalities and injuries. The strategies fall into categories such as speed management, pedestrian or bicyclist, and intersections. Section 2, MATURING: Designing for All Ages and Abilities: This National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) guide builds on their Urban Bikeway Design Guide and sets criteria for implementing bike facilities for all ages and abilities to make the bike network safer and equitable for the majority of people. Association for Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals Complete Streets Policy Statement: This guide provides policy statements on Complete Streets which includes example plans, key program elements, and additional resources. From Policy to Practice: A Guide to Measuring Complete Streets Progress: This Smart Growth America report provides guidance on what city, county, M P O, or community partners can measure to support Complete Streets implementation, what the goals of the performance measures are, and how to choose metrics that support the program’s goals and vision. They provide a menu of over 100 different metrics that fall under three categories: process, implementation, and impact. Tools to Diagnose and Solve the Problem: This webpage provides many tools that can help analyze and understand pedestrian and bicycle safety to inform countermeasures and policies to address any problems. Section 3, LEADING: Create Thriving, Activity-Friendly Communities: This resource, developed by the National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research, provides an Economic Indicators Library that can help practitioners measure the economic benefits of active-friendly communities. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (M T C) guidance for compiling a “Complete Streets Checklist”: The Complete Streets Checklist is a form to help ensure local compliance with C S Policy and applicable laws. It is submitted to M T C online as part of a grant application process. This research identifies Complete Streets state statutes and summarizes qualitative analysis of state complete street laws: This study provides key insights into the legislative landscape of Complete Streets state laws.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix F: Draft Snapshot Prototypes." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Developing Snapshots for Transportation Planning. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29170.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix F: Draft Snapshot Prototypes." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Developing Snapshots for Transportation Planning. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29170.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix F: Draft Snapshot Prototypes." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Developing Snapshots for Transportation Planning. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29170.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix F: Draft Snapshot Prototypes." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Developing Snapshots for Transportation Planning. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29170.
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