Adoption of a Complete Streets Policy in North Las Vegas: Using Evidence-Based Practices to Improve Health and Safety
BACKGROUND:
The Southern Nevada Health District and North Las Vegas (NLV) launched a Complete Streets Policy Initiative in 2015. In 2017, NLV became the first city in Southern Nevada to adopt a stand-alone Complete Streets Policy. At the same time, several complete streets projects were completed and evaluated.

PURPOSE:
This poster highlights the partnerships between public health and city government that led to the adoption of a Complete Streets Policy and summarizes quantifiable data on the impact of complete streets projects completed in NLV.

DESCRIPTION:
For two years, SNHD staff worked with NLV, project consultants, National Complete Streets Coalition (NCSC), and other stakeholders on the development of a Complete Streets Policy and the addition of 4 miles of bike lanes in NLV. Major steps included:
• Comprehensive review of existing NLV policies, codes and procedures
• Development of policy drafts which were reviewed by NCSC and other stakeholders
• Amendments to the NLV Comprehensive Master Plan to include the Complete Streets Policy
• A public hearing at the NLV Planning Commission
• City Council approval of the policy and Comprehensive Master Plan amendments
• Implementation and evaluation of complete streets projects

Four miles of bike lanes were added to priority corridors in downtown NLV. An evaluation of the impact the bike lanes included collection of pre- and post-installation user counts and a post-installation intercept study. Bike lanes were installed between 2016 and 2017. Pre-installation user counts were collected in July 2015, and post-installation counts were collected in 2017. Pre- and post-user counts were collected manually using electronic count equipment at seven locations within the priority corridor. Observation periods were established and data were collected at various times during the day. To assess mode choice, frequency of active transit, and safety concerns, an intercept survey was developed and administered by a trained research assistant.

LESSONS LEARNED:
Overall pedestrian use of the priority corridors increased dramatically from 25.7 walkers per hour to 49.2 walkers per hour. Overall bicyclist use of the priority corridors increased slightly from 7.86 cyclists per hour to 8.46 cyclists per hour. Results from the Intercept Survey will also be shared.

CONCLUSION and IMPLICATIONS:
Complete Streets Policy Implementation: The ‘Keys to Success: Implementation Plan’ developed by NLV outlines the key activities, workflow process, timelines and responsible parties to ensure implementation of the Complete Streets Policy. At one-year post adoption, the Implementation Plan was working as intended and had been used to approve/process several complete streets projects under design or construction.

Complete Streets Projects: Data collected indicate that at most sites the infrastructure improvements were associated with increased rates of walking and biking. Data from the observations and survey suggest that complete streets projects such as the addition of bike lanes can improve overall walking and biking rates. Future complete streets improvements that align with the NLV Complete Streets Policy would likely also serve to increase bicycle and pedestrian traffic by addressing safety concerns and increasing ease of use, which could eventually lead to increases in overall physical activity levels.

Presenter: Nicole Bungum
Agency Affiliation: Southern Nevada Health District

Presenter Biographical Statement: [biography]