Transportation Planning and Design

ASLA believes that multi-modal transportation systems should be safe, efficient, beautiful, ecologically sensitive, and convenient. These qualities enable streets and roadways to serve all people and modes of transportation, support public health, and address climate resilience. Landscape architects are trained and uniquely qualified to plan and design multi-modal transportation networks that provide users with cost efficient transportation options, while also addressing other community needs.

Roadways should be designed for all users — including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit riders, motorists, and persons with disabilities — to have safe, convenient, and comfortable access to transportation options. A Complete Streets approach integrates people and place in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of our transportation networks. This helps to ensure that our streets serve the full range of users, prioritize safety over speed, and support the sustainable and incremental development of local communities.

In 2023, the most recent year with federal data, 7,314 pedestrians were killed by motorists, marking one of the deadliest years. Designing more Complete Streets is critical to reversing this epidemic. Additionally, improving infrastructure and building more welcoming streets for all road users leads to higher rates of active transportation throughout communities. In turn, more frequent walking and bicycling supports the physical and mental health of community members.

ASLA is a founding member of the National Complete Streets Coalition, whose mission is to promote the development and implementation of policies and professional practices that ensure streets become safe for people of all ages and abilities, balance the needs of different modes, and support local land uses, economies, cultures, and natural environments. 

Senator Edward Markey (MA) introduced S. 1953, and Representative Steve Cohen (TN) introduced H.R. 3712 as the Complete Streets Act of 2025. This legislation would:

• Call on states to set aside five percent of their federal highway funding to create a “Complete Streets” program.
• Call on eligible entities that want to access funding to adopt a Complete Streets policy, participate in technical assistance, and create a prioritized plan for Complete Streets projects in their jurisdictions.
• Call on Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) to certify that Complete Streets policies meet minimum requirements set out by the United States Secretary of Transportation.
• Call on the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, States, and MPOs to adopt design standards for federal surface transportation projects that provide for the safe and adequate accommodation of all users – including motorized and non-motorized users - in all phases of project planning, development, and operation. 

On June 4, 2025, Senator Edward Markey (MA) introduced S. 1953.

On June 5, 2025, Representative Steve Cohen (TN) introduced H.R. 3712. 

S. 1953, Senator Edward Markey (MA) and cosponsors.
H.R. 3712, Representative Steve Cohen (TN) and cosponsors.

Senator Markey's Press Release

Representative Cohen's Press Release

National Complete Streets Coalition

Best Complete Streets Policies of 2025

Dangerous by Design 2024 Report

U.S. Access Board Issues Final Rule on Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines

ASLA Sustainable Transportation Guide

ASLA Universal Design Guide

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) supports legislation that creates multi-modal transportation systems that are safe, efficient, beautiful, ecologically sensitive, convenient, address climate change, support public health, and serve all people and modes of transportation.

Currently, many transportation policies, regulations, and design guides prevent transportation professionals from planning and designing rights-of-way that are safe for all users, resulting in increased fatalities and injuries. ASLA and its members work to update policies, regulations, and design guides that lead to safe rights-of-way for all users. ASLA is a founding member of the National Complete Streets Coalition whose mission is to promote the development and implementation of policies and professional practices that ensure streets are safe for people of all ages and abilities, balance the needs of different modes, and support local land uses, economies, cultures, and natural environments.

Transportation corridors and facilities are major components of the nation’s landscape and public realm that connect, shape, and transform our communities. Transportation infrastructure is a vital part of public life, connecting individuals to families and friends, jobs and businesses, education, and recreation. Additionally, multimodal transportation systems reduce reliance on single-use automotive transport, which in turn reduces traffic, improves air quality, reduces carbon emissions, decreases vehicle wildlife collisions, and promotes a sustainable way of life.

While driving has decreased, the number of people injured and fatalities due to walking and bicycling incidents is at a record high – mainly due to outdated and poorly designed transportation infrastructure. The elderly and residents of low-income neighborhoods are at an increased risk of preventable incidents compared to individuals in other communities.

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) plays a critical role in transportation infrastructure as it contains the national standards governing all traffic control devices, including setting minimum standards, providing guidance, and ensuring uniformity of traffic control devices across the nation. While the most recent version of the MUTCD includes some updates to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and road users, updated and improved design standards and guidelines are needed to effectively improve transportation infrastructure and make our streets safer for all.

Landscape architects are uniquely qualified to implement innovative design standards and interpret the MUTCD to create safe, accessible, and equitable active transportation networks. Landscape architects plan and design multimodal transportation projects in a manner that protects the public’s health, safety, and welfare, while also addressing other community needs.

On November 7, 2023, Senator John Fetterman (PA) introduced S. 3246, the Building Safer Streets Act. This measure would update regulations, including the MUTCD, to improve street infrastructure that prioritizes multimodal development and pedestrian safety.

Specifically, the Act would:

• Update the MUTCD to require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on how transportation professionals use the MUTCD.
• Update federal design standards and guidelines to consider surrounding land use of roads or highways.
• Provide design guidance regarding transit facilities and associated roadway design that considers safety, accessibility, and equity.
• Provide design guidance for multimodal streets while considering the distinct needs of urban, rural, and suburban roads.
• Prioritize designs that ensure all users have access to safe, comfortable, reliable, and healthy transportation options.
• Direct the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to develop recommended categorical design exceptions for multimodal projects and features.
• Update the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program to provide a minimum amount of dedicated funding to small and rural communities.

On November 7, 2023, S. 3246 was introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Senator John Fetterman (PA) Press Release: Fetterman Introduces Bill to Make American Streets Safer. November 8, 2023.

U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Hearings—Understanding Roadway Safety: Examining the Causes of Roadway Safety Challenges and Possible Interventions. November 7, 2023.

X: Senator John Fetterman Highlights from U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Hearings—Understanding Roadway Safety: Examining the Causes of Roadway Safety Challenges and Possible Interventions. November 7, 2023.

StreetsblogUSA: New Bill Would Finally Rewrite the ‘Notorious’ MUTCD for Vulnerable Road User Safety. November 15, 2023.

The Bradford Era: Fetterman introduces bill to make American streets safer. November 9, 2023.

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program

National Complete Streets Coalition

Dangerous by Design 2024 report

Letter to FHWA – Landscape architects are competent to interpret the MUTCD

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)

U.S. Access Board Issues Final Rule on Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines

ASLA Sustainable Transportation Guide

ASLA believes that multi-modal transportation systems should be safe, efficient, beautiful, ecologically sensitive, convenient, address climate change, support public health, and serve all people and modes of transportation. Landscape architects are trained and uniquely qualified to plan and design multi-modal transportation networks that provide users with cost efficient transportation options, while also addressing other community needs.

Our nation’s transportation system is the backbone of our economy and critical to supporting the daily needs of all Americans. It also having adverse impacts on our daily lives, contributing to congestion, polluted stormwater runoff, poor air quality, and climate change. Currently, the transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. According to the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990–2022 (the national inventory that the U.S. prepares annually under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), transportation accounted for the largest portion (28%) of total U.S. GHG emissions in 2022. Cars, trucks, commercial aircraft, and railroads, among other sources, all contribute to transportation end-use sector emissions.

ASLA works with policy makers, state and local governments, and communities across the nation to promote increased active transportation projects. Active transportation modes like bicycling and walking produce zero carbon emissions and provide individuals and families with low-cost, healthy transportation options.

Senator Edward Markey (MA) introduced S. 3669 and Representative Jared Huffman (CA) introduced H.R. 7286 as the Generating Resilient Environmentally Exceptional National (GREEN) Streets Act of 2024. This legislation:

• Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish minimum standards for states to use to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and per capita vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on the national highway system;
• Directs the Transportation Secretary to establish measures that states can use to assess and reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions on the national highway system;
• Requires states that have fallen out of compliance with the per capita VMT standards or carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emission measures to dedicate federal highway funding to come into compliance;
• Requires states and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to consider projects and strategies that reduce per capita VMT and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector; and
• Requires states and MPOs to publish an analysis of the impact on per capita VMTs and mobile source greenhouse gas emissions for each project that adds new lanes or otherwise increases traffic capacity and costs more than $25 million.

On January 25, 2024, Senator Edward Markey (MA) introduced S. 3669, the GREEN Streets Act of 2024.

On January 25, 2024, Representative Jared Huffman (CA) introduced H.R. 7082, the GREEN Streets Act of 2024.

S. 3669, Senator Edward Markey (MA) and cosponsors.

H.R. 7286, Representative Jared Huffman (CA) and cosponsors.

Senator Markey's Press Release

Representative Huffman's Press Release

U.S. National Blueprint on Transportation Decarbonization

U.S. DOT Active Transportation Resources

EPA Fast Facts on Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions

ASLA Sustainable Transportation Guide

Landscape Architecture: A Solution to the Climate Crisis

ASLA Smart Policies for a Changing Climate

ASLA believes that multi-modal transportation systems should be safe, efficient, beautiful, ecologically sensitive, and convenient. These qualities enable streets and roadways to address climate change, support public health, and serve all people and modes of transportation. Landscape architects are trained and uniquely qualified to plan and design multi-modal transportation networks that provide users with cost efficient transportation options, while also addressing other community needs.

All communities should be able to enjoy the physical, social, and mental health benefits of America’s public parks and outdoor spaces — regardless of where they live. Yet many underserved communities are unable to access our public lands due to limited transportation options. Creating safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options for underserved communities to access local, state, and national parks should be a high priority. Increased access to recreation opportunities such as biking, hiking, climbing, and fishing will help address public health challenges and other environmental injustices.

Landscape architects help communities by designing safe, accessible, integrated transportation networks for all users — regardless of age, income, ethnicity, ability, or mode of transportation. These multi-use transportation systems reduce reliance on single-use automotive transport. In turn, multi-use systems reduce traffic, remove barriers to movement, improve air quality, and promote active lifestyles.

The Transit to Trails Act (H.R. 3092 / S. 1440) would establish a grant program to fund transportation planning projects that connect underserved communities to public lands, waters, parks, and monuments. The program would award individual grants in amounts between $25,000-$500,000. The program would be authorized for $10 million in its first and second years, $20 million in its third and fourth years, and $40 million in every following year.

In grant selection, priority would be given to applications that:

• Demonstrate use of low- or no-emission vehicles;
• Comply with applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act;
• Establish projects in Environmental Justice communities;
• Capitalize on existing established public-private partnerships; 
• Provide free or discounted rates for low-income riders; and
• Provide opportunities for youth engagement and low-income employment.

On May 4, 2023, S. 1440 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

On May 8, 2023, H.R. 3092 was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

S. 1440, Senator Cory Booker (NJ), and cosponsors.

H.R. 3092, Representative Gomez (CA), and cosponsors.

Senator Cory Booker (NJ) Press Release: Booker, Gomez Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Promote Equitable Access to Public Lands. May 04, 2023.

Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA) Press Release: Rep. Gomez and Senator Booker Introduce Bill to Promote Access to Public Lands and Green Spaces Through Public Transit. May 4, 2023.

Improving Transit Access to Parks and Trails, Planetizen, July 2023.

The Power of Parks to Strengthen Community, Trust for Public Land, May 2024

Federal Active Transportation Resources

ASLA Sustainable Transportation Guides for Regional, Neighborhood, and Street Scales

Geodesign—Integrating Technology into Trail Planning and Community Engagement - 1.0 PDH (LA CES/HSW)