Livable Streets

Livable Transportation Systems

In an urban area, livable transportation would make it feasible and safe for people to walk or bike to important amenities, take public transit to work or recreational destinations, and to be able to afford and park a car. In a suburban setting, car ownership is often essential, and livable transportation would allow people to drive safely within a reasonable amount of time to important destinations, to possibly take a commuter train to work, and to walk or bike safely.

Livable transportation systems have the potential to facilitate the achievement of numerous community goals by providing better access to jobs, community services, affordable housing, and schools. To this end, communities need transportation facilities and services of the right quality, location, and type. Communities, businesses, and consumers all benefit from livable transportation systems.

[Page 890]A transportation network designed to make streets livable will take a wide variety of modes into account while encouraging patterns of development that are sustainable. Livable transportation systems can also improve community safety and appearance, and reduce environmental impact, by decreasing energy use and using land more efficiently.

Livable versus Sustainable Transportation

Because it deals with the quality of life for a specific community in the present and near future, livable transportation is more place-based and near-term-focused. It addresses human concerns such as choice in transportation and housing, as well as access to employment and education facilities. Sustainable transportation is concerned about meeting today's needs without preventing tomorrow's citizens from meeting their needs.

There are distinctions between livable and sustainable transportation systems, although both encourage travel options that are more environmentally sustainable and promote economic development. They also both affect human health, although livable transportation is more about active living and sustainable transportation is more about air pollution impacts. Liveable and sustainable transportation systems have policy impacts related to social equity for low-income, young, old, disabled, and minority groups.

Yet, livability and sustainability in transportation systems can sometimes be at odds with one other. In 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation conducted an Omnibus Household Survey on Public Perceptions on Transportation Characteristics of Livable Communities. While survey respondents said they considered multi-modal and non-privately operated-vehicle (POV) transit, such as sidewalks, bike lanes, and local transit, to be important, they still considered POV facilities, such as major roads and adequate parking downtown, as more important.

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