Complete Streets Checklist

This paper describes how transit ridership is influenced by many factors. These factors are commonly grouped as internal factors such as the amount and quality of transit service provided and external factors such as land use, the price of driving, or the availability of parking. The implication is that transit operators do not have control over the external factors. Transit operators can have an impact on the external factors that influence ridership. This opportunity is expanding as more and more planners, engineers and others are realizing that streets and highways are not just for moving vehicles rapidly. The needs of pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users need to be taken into account. Are transit operators prepared to take advantage of this movement? Do transit agencies seek everything that is needed for transit friendly design when they comment on projects? This paper presents three checklists for transit operators – one for each of the following situations: (1) When a street that has/will have transit service is being designed or redesigned; (2) For development, how it will shape the appearance of the streets bordering or within it; and (3) Tips for enlightening architects, engineers, planners and developers who may not be thinking about transit. The intent of this paper is not to provide guidelines or standards, there are many documents that do that, but rather identify the issues that transit operators need to address under each circumstance and provide some direction on key issues that are frequently overlooked.