Case Study for Adoption of Semi Private Complete Streets Program Funding in United States Cities

Abstract

The deteriorating conditions of aging infrastructure in United States cities have been challenging municipalities for years. In 2013, the American Society for Civil Engineers gave US infrastructure a D+ for the current conditions of infrastructure including roadways, waterways, levees and bridges1. When the current need to improve ailing infrastructure is combined with the 1990s shift in transportation planning, Best Management Practices call for transportation systems to consider the needs of drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and people with physical and metal challenges, the elderly and children equitably.3

Smart Growth America’s National Complete Streets Coalition touts more than 600 member cities as of January 2014.4 Each of the member cities is altering its existing transportation system by adopting “laws, resolutions, executive orders and policies” that ensure all stakeholders have equitable access to their local transportation system.4 Cities across the nation, including San Francisco, Philadelphia and New Orleans, have passed Executive Orders and ordinances to help ensure their constituents have equitable access to the transportation system. Working closely with organizations such as Smart Growth America and local advocacy groups, these cities are attempting to fulfill the intentions of their CS policy. Some of the greatest challenge these cities have in implementing their CS policy to its maximum potential is a lack of appropriate funding.

Using in-person and telephone interviews this Masters Project: • Develops case studies for public-private partnerships that fund full or partial Complete Streets projects in San Francisco, Philadelphia and New Orleans • Compares and contrasts the CS policies in San Francisco, Philadelphia and New Orleans to one another • Identifies characteristics of public-private funding sources that could be available for Complete Streets implementation • Identifies Best Management Practices for Complete Streets funding including barriers and possible solutions • Discusses appropriate public education/outreach campaigns that accompany implementation of Complete Streets projects