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Committee considers embedding Complete Streets training and technical assistance into S.75; AOT says work largely underway
Summary
Sections 19–20 of S.75 would direct technical assistance and municipal support to implement Complete Streets principles and tie those principles into the Vermont State Standards. AOT said it is already developing training and the multimodal roadway guide and recommended coordination to avoid duplication and delay.
Senate Transportation Committee members reviewed proposed language in sections 19 and 20 of S.75 that would require technical assistance to municipalities to adopt Complete Streets design principles and would explicitly link VMT considerations to downtown and context‑sensitive designs.
The Vermont Agency of Transportation told the committee it supports the intent and is already developing Complete Streets training in coordination with regional planning commissions and local stakeholders. AOT staff said the training development is underway and will be tied to an update of the Vermont State Standards and a new Vermont multimodal roadway guide; agency staff expect a draft guide in the early phase of the development process and noted a functional software platform being built to host the standards.
AOT cautioned the committee to avoid language that conflicts with the ongoing standards rewrite and to ensure any statutory language is additive to the agency’s current work so it does not slow implementation. Committee members requested updates from AOT and the regional planning commissions and asked staff to invite AARP (to represent senior pedestrians) and RPC representatives to testify at a follow‑up meeting.
The committee did not vote on sections 19–20 during the hearing; senators asked staff to circulate the agency’s updated standards timeline and to schedule the requested witnesses.
