The Effects of Complete Streets Policies and Projects on Local Business Development and Growth in California

This project aims to explore the effects of Complete Streets policies and projects on local business development in California. The project uses a mixed-methods research design and micro-level business databases to explore how Complete Streets influences job accessibility, business attraction, business survival rates, and the broader transformation of mixed land use surrounding Complete Streets project sites. It investigates the interplay between Complete Streets projects and local business dynamics, particularly focusing on the clustering or dispersion of businesses for the agglomeration economy. By comparing the range of Complete Streets policies adopted by different entities, such as state agencies, counties, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and cities, within varying sociodemographic, environmental, economic, and physical contexts, the research assesses their influence on transportation improvement plans and economic development strategies. The primary objectives of the research comprise three major research tasks. First, it aims to evaluate how Complete Streets policies impact changes in travel demand and behavioral patterns, considering the allocation of various transport modes. Second, the research examines the effects of proximity to Complete Streets project sites on the growth and development of local businesses. Finally, the project seeks to understand the perspectives of transportation agencies and local governments regarding the urban environment modifications driven by Complete Streets initiatives, particularly their implications for local business growth and broader land use changes. By employing mixed methods, the research aims to provide comprehensive insights that inform policymakers, urban planners, and business owners of strategies to refine Complete Streets policies for better local business development.

• Record URL:
  • https://ncst.ucdavis.edu/project/effects-complete-streets-policies-and-projects-local-business-development-and-growth

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $152,594.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DOT 69A3552348319

  DOT 69A3552344814

  Caltrans 65A1346

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  National Center for Sustainable Transportation

  University of California, Davis
  Davis, CA  United States 

  California Department of Transportation

  1227 O Street
  Sacramento, CA  United States  95843
• Managing Organizations:

  National Center for Sustainable Transportation

  University of California, Davis
  Davis, CA  United States 

  University of California, Davis

  1 Shields Ave
  Davis, California  United States  95616
• Project Managers:

  Cliff, Sydney

• Performing Organizations:

  National Center for Sustainable Transportation

  University of California, Davis
  Davis, CA  United States 

  University of California, Davis

  1 Shields Ave
  Davis, California  United States  95616
• Principal Investigators:

  Volker, Jamey

  Handy, Susan

• Start Date: 20260211
• Expected Completion Date: 20270131
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Businesses; Complete streets; Economic development; Policy analysis; Travel demand
• Geographic Terms: California
• Subject Areas: Economics; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01987972
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: National Center for Sustainable Transportation
• Contract Numbers: DOT 69A3552348319, DOT 69A3552344814, Caltrans 65A1346
• Files: UTC, RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 28 2026 11:07AM