Beyond Theory: Evolution, Benefits, and Evaluation Challenges of Complete Streets Policy in the United States

The Complete Streets policy has gained popularity in recent decades. This paper traces the evolution of the policy in the United States by reviewing the relevant literature. It examines the conceptual framework, objectives, and design requirements, followed by the state of practice, implementation, evolution, and anticipated benefits of the policy, such as its impact on transportation, travel behavior, safety, health, environment, and economy, and how these benefits have been quantified. The study identifies research gaps in evaluating the success of the Complete Streets policy. The insights gained can help policy and decision-makers, aid implementation, and promote sustainable transportation and urban planning at various scales.