DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Public Works
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Tomika Monterville, Director
COUNCIL DISTRICT IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Vision Zero & Complete Streets & National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Initiatives
SUMMARY:
The Transportation Department will provide a briefing to the City Council’s Transportation & Mobility Committee on the department’s activities related to Complete Streets, NACTO Guidelines and the Vision Zero Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The June 29, 2017 and August 13, 2019 Council Consideration Requests (CCR) identified several items for the former Transportation and Capital Improvements (TCI)/Public Works and Transportation Departments to initiate/evaluate. The CCR included the following:
June 29, 2017 CCR:
• Utilization of the NACTO guidelines for transportation 2017-2022 Bond projects;
• Revision of the City’s Design Guidance Manual to reflect NACTO and Vision Zero principles;
• Establish formal training programs for City employees, consultants, and contractors.
August 13, 2019 CCR:
• Implement sustained training on Complete Streets and Vision Zero policies for all transportation, SA Tomorrow planning projects and programs;
• Ensure enforcement of Complete Streets and Vision Zero mandates and policies with all City employees, consultants, and contractors;
• Perform a review of all policies associated with Complete Streets and Vision Zero to ensure application in the UDC amendment process;
• Evaluate City land use policies and their association with/application of Complete Streets and Vision Zero policies, guidelines, and mandates;
• Revision of the City’s Design Guidance Manual to reflect NACTO and Vision Zero principles;
• Provide briefings on best practices related to polices associated with planning, zoning, housing, transportation, public safety, and development matters;
• Propose metrics for the Transportation & Mobility Committee to assess the application of Complete Streets and Vision Zero guidance in eliminating traffic fatalities and incorporate into the approved City budgeting process;
• Provide monthly dashboard to City Council B Sessions and applicable Council Committees on status of the aforementioned projects.
ISSUE/UPDATE:
Since 2017, TCI, Public Works and Transportation Departments have hosted and/or attended several NACTO workshops (and similar organizations) on best practices and design guidelines that support Vision Zero and Complete Streets. Most recently, the City has brought on NACTO to lead a two-day workshop in June 2021 for the Public Works & Transportation Departments to discuss key aspects/best practices of agencies transitioning from Public Works to independent Transportation Departments.
Staff have been advancing the goals of Vision Zero and Complete Streets through education and outreach events. Additionally, staff have been providing guidance on best practices for bicycle and pedestrian improvements as part of the design review process for construction projects with the Public works Department.
To address the training and oversight of consultants, contractors and staff, the Directors of Public Works and Transportation will be coordinating with the City’s Procurement Department to identify contracting tools and requirements for solicitations that can be incorporated requiring our contractors/consultants to apply Vision Zero and Complete Streets policies.
ALTERNATIVES:
This is a briefing only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a briefing only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is a briefing only.