A look at how a Complete Streets policy got adopted and implemented in the city of Trenton, NJ.

1. Complete Streets in Trenton
New Jersey Future
Dan Fatton, Outreach and Development Director
January, 2013

2. Trenton Cycling Revolution
Mission Statement =
To create a safe and healthy environment for bicyclists in Greater Trenton
through education, engagement, advocacy and promotion.
• Founded in 1990s
• Elected Chair in 2009
• Trenton Bike Tour, annual leisurely ride through Trenton,
Saturday, May 18 – Save the Date!

3. Complete Streets in New Jersey
• Montclair policy in October, 2009
• NJDOT policy in December, 2009
• Trenton Cycling Revolution, meeting topic, April, 2010

4. Complete Streets
Accommodate ALL Users for ALL Trips Safely & Efficiently
•Public transit users
•Bicyclists & Pedestrians
– All ages
– All abilities
•Motorists

5. About a third of Americans don’t drive
– Older people who don’t drive
– All children under 17
– Some people with disabilities
– Many low income people who
cannot afford automobiles.
– Those that prefer a car-free lifestyle
TRENTON Car-Free Households
= 8,200 of 27,000 ~ 30%

6. Existing Streets are Inadequate
• No sidewalks for pedestrians
• Lanes are too narrow for
motorists to share with bikes
• Streets are too wide, too
dangerous to cross on foot
• No accommodations for people
with disabilities

7. Resolution Process
• Copy of the Montclair policy
• National Complete Streets Coalition scoring system
• Feedback from Peter Kremer
• New examples listed on
NJ Bicycle & Pedestrian Resource Center

8. Pursuing Partnerships
New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids (NJPHK) is a statewide program
of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) with technical assistance
and direction provided by the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance. The goal of
the program is to convene, connect and empower community partnerships
across the state to implement environment and policy changing strategies that
prevent childhood obesity.
Shaping NJ is the state partnership for the Nutrition, Physical Activity and
Obesity Program focusing on environmental and policy change around obesity
and chronic disease prevention.
Sustainable Jersey is a certification program for municipalities in New Jersey
that want to go green, save money and take steps to sustain their quality of life
over the long term. Launched in 2009 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization
that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support and reward
communities as they pursue sustainability programs.

9. 1st Letter of Support
• September, 2011 - first draft focused on bicycles
• Feedback on the draft letter
• Pedestrian emphasis
• Broadening focus of letter made easier for partners to sign, much stronger

10. Green Team
• 20 points in the Sustainable Jersey
certification process
• Additional allies to push for the policy
• Built staff support

11. Additional Follow-up
• Meetings with council representatives
• Feedback from planning staff
• Presentation at Council

12. Adoption by Council
March 1, 2012
Approved 7-0

13. Specific Action Steps
•Memo Distribution within 90 days
•Drafted memo for relevant staff, planning board, etc.
•Email requests to distribute
•July 18
•July 23
•August 1
•August 7
•August 21
•September 4
•Distributed to staff September 6, 2012
•Revisit specific Nelson/Nygaard plan
•Conduct Training within 180 days
•Identified funding
•Arranged logistics

14. Training
• Certified complete streets trainer from RBA Group
• ~ 20 Participants on October 12, 2012
• TDA commitment = $25,000 for streetscape improvements

15. Walk Audit with TDA
• Follow-up to that commitment
• Monday, November 5
• ~ 12 participants
• List of recommendations

16. Next Steps
• Copies of training manual for non-attendees
• Meeting with public works department
• DOT Checklist
• Project list
• Bike loop
• Master plan due 2015 – mobility element
• Ordinance

17. Keys to Success
• Partners
• Timing
• Persistence

18. Resources
.
National Complete Streets Coalition - http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets
The National Complete Streets Coalition, part of Smart Growth America, seeks to fundamentally transform the look, feel, and function of the roads and streets
in our community, by changing the way most roads are planned, designed, and constructed. The website is a great tool for understanding the benefits of having
complete streets in a community on national, state and local level. The Coalition also offers education and assistance in drafting and implementing policies.
New Jersey Department of Transportation - http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/eng/completestreets/
The NJDOT Complete Streets website offers a plethora of information regarding complete streets in New Jersey including the NJDOT policy adopted in 2009, a
video demonstrating the importance of complete streets in a community, examples of local success stories, tools for implementation, additional helpful links.
New Jersey Bicycle & Pedestrian Resource Center - http://www.njbikeped.org/
NJ Bicycle & Pedestrian Resource Center offers assistance to public officials, transportation and health professionals, and the public in creating a safer and more
accessible walking and bicycling environment through primary research, education and dissemination of information about best practices in policy and design.
The Center is supported by the New Jersey Department of Transportation through funds provided by the Federal Highway Administration.
New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition - http://www.njbikewalk.org/
New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition works to make New Jersey a better place to live, with safer, more enjoyable ways to walk and bike.
New Jersey Future - http://www.njfuture.org/
New Jersey Future employs original research, analysis and advocacy to build coalitions and drive land-use policies that help revitalize cities and towns, protect
natural lands and farms, provide more transportation choices beyond cars, expand access to safe and affordable neighborhoods and fuel a prosperous
economy.
Tri-State Transportation Campaign - http://www.tstc.org/
TSTC works to create more sustainable, equitable and transit friendly communities in downstate New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and beyond.
dfatton@njfuture.org
609-393-0008 ext. 105