Streets connect
communities and people.
The best streets have little
or no traffic, noise or
pollution and support residents
with easily accessible
parks, schools, playgrounds
and businesses. For the
last half-century, we have
been building wide, noisy
streets that cut through
towns, discourage street
life and reduce mobility
for non-drivers. NJFIT supports street designs
that reflect and keep up
the community.
This
street in downtown
New Brunswick, NJ (left)
is clearly designed
to meet the needs and
character of the city,
while this stretch
of road in Rochelle
Park, NJ (right) looks
and feels like a generic,
automobile-centered
highway.
The
community is the expert
Communities should be involved in the
transportation planning and design process
early, by positively crafting and refining
their vision for the future, and then
determining what transportation infrastructure
is necessary. Transportation professionals
play an important role in helping communities
define and implement their vision. By
providing technical assistance and listening
to the community's concerns and objectives,
transportation professionals can help
communities understand their vision and
satisfy both the transportation designers
and the stakeholders.
In planning
and designing its Town
Center, the community
of Washington Township,
NJ invited all stakeholders
to participate and
contribute their ideas.
With the help of the
New Jersey Department
of Transportation (NJDOT)
and other state agencies,
the community was able
to decide on a vision
for a mid-density,
mixed use pedestrian-friendly
town center, while
preserving open space
at the edge. Early
numbers seem to indicate
that Washington Township
has built a vibrant
pedestrian-scale downtown
surrounded by parkland,
as well as a strong
tax base.
Community
streets emphasize safety
and are economical
When
communities are able to
define their own transportation
needs they usually want
safer streets, as well
as amenities necessary
for non-car transportation,
such as sidewalks, bike
lanes and curb ramps. Studies
have shown that these types
of streets are the safest
for drivers and pedestrians
alike.
"Streets
are the river of
life."
William H. Whyte,
Sociologist
All residents
benefit
Community-oriented street
design benefits all residents
by accommodating drivers
and pedestrians of all
ages and needs. This means
safer routes for school
children and designs acceptable
for senior citizens. It
also means street designs
that support environmental
justice and ensure that
transportation projects
do not negatively impact
minority or low-income
populations.
A
1999 study by the
Urban Land Institute
of four new pedestrian-friendly
communities determined
that homebuyers were
willing to pay a
$20,000 premium for
homes in these locations
rather than similar
houses in surrounding
areas.
The
Tools and Case Studies
best associated with
the
Streets for Communities
FITness goal is listed
below in the drop down
boxes. Achieving this
goal is possible through
the application of various
tools and programs.