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Chapter 1 : <br /> Executive Summary <br /> Legislative Request <br /> This report is in response to the legislative directive to the Commissioner of <br /> Transportation to study the costs, benefits and feasibility of implementing a Complete <br /> Streets policy. (See Appendix A: Laws 2008 Chapter 80 Article 1 Section 0 ). In <br /> doing so, this report summarizes key elements of the study, including: <br /> • Compilation and review of a list of Complete Streets resources. <br /> • Review of the state's current design practices regarding Complete Streets. <br /> • Assessment of Complete Streets impacts to maintenance and operations. <br /> • Review of other local, regional and state Complete Streets policies and best <br /> practices and lessons learned from other jurisdictions. <br /> • Review of the costs, benefits and feasibility of Complete Streets. <br /> • Recommendations relating to the implementation of a Complete Streets policy. <br /> StudyApproach <br /> The feasibility of implementing a Complete Streets Policy in Minnesota was one of the <br /> many studies the 2008 Legislature assigned for completion for the Commissioner of <br /> Transportation. The Commissioner assigned the Mn/DOT Division of State Aid for <br /> Local Transportation (State Aid) to manage this task. State Aid formed a Project <br /> Management Team that worked with an Advisory Committee and Technical Advisory <br /> Panel. These groups consisted of elected officials and other representatives from <br /> federal, state, county, city and township government as well as individuals with <br /> expertise in roads, transit, bicycling, the Americans with Disabilities Act, planning and <br /> community development, diverse populations, active living and health advocacy. <br /> Balancing Safety, Mobility, Efficiency and Cost <br /> Complete Streets does not mean "all modes on all roads"; rather, the goal of Complete <br /> Streets should be to 1) develop a balanced transportation system that integrates all <br /> modes via planning inclusive of each mode of transportation (i.e., transit, freight, <br /> automobile, bicycle and pedestrian) and 2) inclusion of all transportation users of all <br /> types, ages and abilities. <br /> "State of the State" in Minnesota <br /> Throughout the study, there were several technical presentations made by _ <br /> practitioners/experts on current practices and how they relate to the Complete Streets <br /> concepts; the presentations covered Mn/DOT and State Aid design standards, practices <br /> and policies, operations and maintenance, funding, and the Americans with Disabilities <br /> Act (ADA) compliance. In this report, the term "ADA"generally refers to accessibility <br /> requirements, including the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehab Act and other pertinent <br /> regulations. <br /> Complete Streets Legislative Report Chapter 1 <br /> December 2009 Page I <br />