Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach was created through a partnership between the Congress for the New Urbanism and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). This manual acts as a how-to document that illustrates best practices for the creation and implementation of walkable, mixed-use streets. Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares has become a tool that transportation planners, public works departments, city leaders, and community members are using to design better streets, mitigate traffic, spur economic growth and act on public health concerns. Read the guide here. 

The purpose of the NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide (part of the Cities for Cycling initiative) is to provide cities with state-of-the-practice solutions that can help create complete streets that are safe and enjoyable for bicyclists. Read more here. 

A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, 6th Edition, 2011, commonly referred to as the “Green Book,” contains the current design research and practices for highway and street geometric design. The document provides guidance to highway engineers and designers who strive to make unique design solutions that meet the needs of highway users while maintaining the integrity of the environment.


This guide can be purchased here. 

This guide provides information on how to accommodate bicycle travel and operations in most riding environments. It is intended to present sound guidelines that result in facilities that meet the needs of bicyclists and other highway users. The guide is available for purchase here. 

The purpose of this guide is to provide guidance on the planning, design, and operation of pedestrian facilities along streets and highways. The guide is available for purchase here. 

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or MUTCD defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices on all public streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public traffic. The MUTCD is published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 655, Subpart F. Find more information here. 

Leadership for Healthy Communities (www.leadershipforhealthycommunities.org) is a national program designed to support local and state government leaders nationwide in their efforts to reduce childhood obesity through public policies that promote active living, healthy eating and access to healthy foods. It focuses, in particular, on policy efforts that can improve nutrition and increase physical activity among children at high risk for obesity.

Active Living by Design (www.activelivingbydesign.org) is a national program sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health. The website contains useful statistics and case studies on efforts to promote physical activity via environmental changes.