Complete Streets: Safer Streets, Stronger Economies

April 8, 2015

How well do Complete Streets projects achieve transportation goals, such as safety? What have communities received in return for their Complete Streets investments? "Safer Streets, Stronger Economies," a new study bySmart Growth America's National Complete Streets Coalition, looks at data from 37 Complete Streets projects across the country to compare the outcomes. The results?

  • Complete Streets projects usually made streets safer. Streets generally had fewer collisions and fewer injuries after their Complete Streets improvements.
  • Money was saved because the streets were safer (money was saved from costs for emergency room visits, hospital charges, rehabilitation, and doctor visits, as well as the cost of property damage).
  • Complete Streets projects encouraged more multimodal travel. More people walked, biked, and took transit on streets after their Complete Streets improvements than before.
  • Complete Streets projects were remarkably affordable, compared to most transportation projects and were an inexpensive way to achieve transportation goals. Communities got an entire transportation network, for a bargain.
  • Complete Streets projects supported broader economic development through new business openings, higher employment levels, and higher property values and private investment.

Local officials, transportation professionals, and economic development specialists can all learn from these findings. Other communities have reaped significant benefits from their investments in Complete Streets projects. These are strategies any community can use to improve streets, support local economies, and get an impressive return on their public investments.