Complete Streets Prioritization ToolA New Resource for

Massachusetts Communities

Tim Reardon

Director of Data Services

Metropolitan Area Planning Council

MMA Conference

January 23, 2016

Objectives and Focus of the ToolIdentify which roadway segments are likely to have greatest utility for pedestrians and cyclists traveling to certain local destinations? (“Latent demand”)

• Shopping, Services, Restaurants

• Schools

• Open Space

Present information in a way that can inform municipal decisions about capital investments, maintenance, and operations

• Sidewalk construction / reconstruction

• ADA compliance efforts

• Bike lanes

• Snow clearance / enforcement

“Proximity-Based” Approach

Network Based Approach

Going to school

Massachusetts

Travel Survey

How many trips

per school-age

child?

How many

school-age children

live here?

How many school

trips begin here?

How many school

trips end here?

Department of Education

Where do children

go to school?

2010 Census

Going shopping

Massachusetts

Travel Survey

How many

shopping trips

per household?

2010 Census

How many

households?How many shopping

trips begin here?

How many shopping

trips end here?

Where do people

go to shop?

Business locations (InfoGroup)

Going to the park

Massachusetts

Travel Survey

How many outdoor

recreation trips per

household?

2010 Census

How many

households?

How many outdoor

rec. trips begin

here?

How many outdoor

rec trips end here?

Where are the

parks and walking

trails?

MassGIS, DCR, MAPC

High-Utility road segment

connects residential areas,

schools, & downtown, but

lacks sidewalks

Aerial photo confirms no

sidewalk present

Desire Lines:

the best indicator of

sidewalk need

Next Steps / Future Improvements

Add more trip types/destinations• Transit

• Workplaces

Learn more about potential municipal

applications

Move toward fully automated online tool with

functionality for local officials to modify inputs

and tailor to local conditions.

Thank You!

treardon@mapc.org