On February 11, 2022, the Board of Trustees approved a resolution which makes the commitment to adopt a Complete Streets Policy for the Montclair State campus.
What are “Complete Streets”?
Complete Streets refers to an approach to making transportation decisions where infrastructure is designed and operated with the safety, mobility, and accessibility needs of users of all ages and abilities in mind. — New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)
The resolution defines Complete Streets as “a means to provide a comprehensive, integrated, connected multi-modal network of transportation options through planning, design, construction, maintenance, and the operation of new and retrofitted transportation facilities along the entire right-of-way for all users of all ages and abilities.”
Additionally, the newer concept of “Complete and Green Streets” uses the principles of Complete Streets and incorporates sustainable/green infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff and may go further to incorporate the use of recycled materials in installed fixtures and structures (e.g. seating, signage, paving mixtures).
In New Jersey
Complete Streets in New Jersey
The NJDOT adopted a state-wide Complete Streets Policy in 2009.
In order to promote and guide the development of Complete Streets throughout the state, they provide multiple resources such as a model policy, resolution, and checklists.
Their Complete & Green Streets for All: Model Complete Streets Policy & Guide was developed in collaboration with a wide range of government and nonprofit partners including Tri-State Transportation Campaign, the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy of Rutgers University, American Heart Association-NJ Chapter, New Jersey Future, AARP-NJ, Sustainable Jersey, regional Transportation Management Associations, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, and many other stakeholder organizations.
At Montclair
Complete Streets at Montclair State University
Montclair State is using the previously referenced NJDOT resources to guide the development of our own policy and procedures.
This effort began in 2019 when the office of Capital Planning & Project Management became aware of a two-year grant opportunity through the New Jersey Healthy Communities Network. These grants are designed to be catalysts to create policy, systems, and environmental changes that leverage public dollars and create sustainable outcomes. The creation of the resolution and policy and subsequent leveraging of institutional funds to improve the physical environment on campus are excellent examples of exactly what these grants are meant to achieve.
Funded by Partners for Health, the grant was awarded for the 2020-2021 period and was used to fund a series of data analysis projects and site assessments on campus. These led to the development of drafts of the resolution, policy, and checklists.
During the two year grant period, the grant team worked on the following:
Year 1 (2020): Data Analysis & Assessments
- NJDOT Vehicle Collision Data (2001 – 2018)
- Campus Vehicle & Pedestrian Traffic Audit (2019)
- Campus Automobile & Pedestrian Safety Audit (2019)
- Class Projects from Aging Policy course (2020)
- ADA Assessment of key areas of the campus to identify areas of non-compliance (2020)
Year 2 (2021): Document Drafting
- Board of Trustees Resolution (approved 02/11/2022)
- Complete Streets Policy (still in draft)
- Complete Streets Project Checklists (still in draft)
- Campus-wide Facilities & Accessibility Survey (report in progress)
We’ll post updates to this page as the draft policy progresses and as projects are evaluated using the checklists.