Complete Streets

Overview

"Complete Streets" is a term used to describe a road network designed for everyone. This network furthers Pittsburgh's land use goals by increasing workforce mobility options, encouraging compact development patterns, spurring improved health and safety, encouraging local economic activity, enhancing neighborhood character, improving the environment, and incorporating emerging technology.

The City of Pittsburgh adopted its Complete Streets Policy in 2016, which is being implemented through the Bike(+) Plan and Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. The High Injury Network map also helps the City's Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) identify areas where the highest number of crashes occur, and prioritize making improvements in those areas. This work aligns with ourVision Zero goal, announced in 2024, to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries for all who use city streets to zero.

Below, we share some common tools to address vulernable road users concerns and issues for both pedestrians and bicyclists.

Tools to Improve Pedestrian Safety

Refuge Islands: Read more about the purpose and function of a median refuge island, linked here.

A visual of an intersection where midway through the street and crosswalk is a pedestrian-only space, sometimes with curbs on either side.

Curb Extensions / Daylighting: Read more about Curb Extensions from NACTO, linked here.

An example of "daylighting" an intersection, or improving sight visibility for drivers by adding curb extensions to slow cars as they approach.

High-visibility Crosswalk: Read more about best practices for crosswalks from NACTO, linked here.

A rendering of an intersection where crosswalks are highlighted in yellow, to indicate they're "high-visibility."

Raised Crosswalks: Raised crosswalks both slow drivers and bring pedestrians to eye-level with vehicles as they approach.

A picture of a crosswalk that's also raised (like a speed hump) to slow cars and bring pedestrians to driver's eye level as they cross.

Raised Intersections: Read more about raised intersections from NACTO, linked here.

A rendering of an intersection where the center of it is raised and highlighted yellow.

Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB): Learn more about this safety tool from the U.S. Department of Transportation, linked here.

Picture of a rectangular rapid flashing beacon.

Pedestrian Warning Signs: Learn more about these types of signs from the U.S. Department of Transportation, linked here.

Picture of a crosswalk and pedestrian warning sign.

Intersection Realignment

Tools to Improve Cyclist Safety

Which Tool Should Be Used?

The chart below will be used to guide decisions about which type of bike facility and/or improvements are appropriate for individual roadways.

This chart is based on national research related to the safety and comfort of bicyclists of all ages and abilities.

How to read this chart:

The y (vertical) axis denotes the volume on a roadway. The higher up on the chart, more the vehicles travel that road per day.
The x (horizontal) axis denotes the speed posted on a given road in miles per hour (MPH). The further right on a chart, the higher the speed limit and faster vehicles travel on that roadway.
For roadways with a lower volume of vehicles per day (about 3,000 and less) and lower speed limit (up to 30 MPH), a shared lane or neighborway is an appropriate bike facility.
For roadways with higher volume (up to 6,000 daily vehicles) and a speed limit of up to 30 MPH, a bike lane (buffer preferred) is an appropriate bike facility.
For roadways with about 6,000 to 10,000 vehicles per day, a protected bike lane ore shared use path is an appropriate bike facility.

An image showing a graph of roadway data - criteria selection

Types of Bike Facilities

The proposed bike(+) network will be achieved by implementing a variety of different facility types appropriate to the conditions and context of each individual street and segment. Detailed guidance on facility design is provided in the Pittsburgh Complete Street Design Guidelines.