907.10 Complete Streets

Complete Streets roadways are designed and operated to enable safe use and support mobility for all users. Those include people of all ages and abilities, regardless of whether they are travelling as drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, or public transportation riders. The concept of Complete Streets encompasses many approaches to planning, designing, and operating roadways and rights of way with all users in mind to make the transportation network safer and more efficient. Complete Streets policies are set at the state, regional, and local levels and are frequently supported by roadway design guidelines.

A Complete Streets approach can vary based on community input. They may address a wide range of elements, including sidewalks, bicycle lanes, bus lanes, public transportation stops, crossing opportunities, median islands, accessible pedestrian signals, curb extensions, modified vehicle travel lanes, streetscape, and landscape treatments. Complete Streets can reduce motor vehicle-related crashes and pedestrian risk, as well as bicyclist risk when well-designed bicycle-specific infrastructure is included. They can promote walking and bicycling by providing safer places to achieve physical activity through transportation.

MoDOT supports the Complete Streets concept and encourages communities to incorporate those concepts whenever possible. MoDOT’s SAFER (Safety Assessment For Every Roadway) document is a tool to facilitate safety discussions for every project. These discussions include safety for all users including bicyclists and pedestrians and should be a part of the Complete Streets discussion.

For more information on MoDOT’s bicycle and pedestrian facilities policies see EPG 641 and EPG 642.

Additional information can be found at Complete Streets | FHWA (dot.gov)