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INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS What Is a `Complete Street'? A"Complete Street" is designed for all roadway users, whether they're driving, riding, walking, bicycling or rolling (e.g., pushing a baby stroller, using a wheelchair). Since not every street can or should be "complete," Complete Streets policies simply require that the needs of all users be considered and, when appropriate, met. During a demonstration project in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the urban planners of the firm Team Better Block worked with AARP to complete an existing street with a temporary makeover that transformed it from a street for cars into (as seen at right) one for all users. Designing streets for pedestrians isn't a new concept. In fact, until the 20th century, people walked in the street. Once automobiles arrived en masse, speed and efficiency became the point of street design and transportation planning. When congestion slowed traffic, roads were widened, traffic signals and stop signs were removed, crosswalks faded away. In many places, being able to safely cross a street on foot or by bicycle is the exception rather than the rule. Complete Streets policies — also referred to as Safe Streets policies — are being implemented by city, county and state governments nationwide. (See page 23 to learn more.) ■ Streets, Roads and 'Stroads' As explained by Charles L. Marohn, Jr., a transportation engineer and founder of the nonprofit organization Strong Towns, "Roads connect places, streets are the framework for building a place." According to Marohn, streets support destinations — homes, businesses, shops, attractions. Roads create "the greatest value by providing the fastest connection" between two places where people want to be. The problem, he says, is that too many communities are filled with "stroads," which are multilane roadways designed to move cars quickly — yet they are populated with businesses, shops, attractions and even homes. "Stroads are the most dangerous environment we routinely build in our cities," Marohn declares in his 2021 book Confessions of Recovering Engineer. "A person on a sidewalk has no defense at all if a vehicle leaves the roadway at stroad speeds. The person crossing the stroad is even more exposed and vulnerable. That is true even when they cross at designated places and at specified times." Astroad, Marohn emphasizes, "contains the elements of both [a] road and street but fails to provide the benefits of either." 12 1 AARP Walk Audit Tool Kit Page 57 of 89