1

COMPLETE STREETS GAME

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

Complete Streets are streets that are designed to be safe for everyone: people who walk, bicycle, take transit, or drive, and people of all ages and abilities.

WHAT IS A COMPLETE STREET?

CONTENTS

• 2 Game Board Rulers• 108 Magnetic Game Pieces - 54 full pieces (see “Description of Game Pieces”: A1, B1, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, E1, E2) - 18 base pieces (see “Description of Game Pieces”: A2, A3, B2) - 28 add-on pieces (see “Description of Game Pieces”: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8) - 8 blank Create-Your-Own pieces (see “Description of Game Pieces”: G1)• 1 sticky note Comment Pad (see “Description of Game Pieces”: G2)• 10 character cards (see “Game Variations”)• 10 challenge cards (see “Game Variations”)

GOAL OF THE GAME

In the Complete Streets Game, players work together to reach consensus on the best option for how to design a Complete Street. Players create their ideal Complete Street by arranging drawn-to-scale game pieces that represent the different components of a street (e.g. sidewalks, bike lanes, trees, street furniture or vehicular travel lanes). By rearranging and rebuilding their own street, players can visualize different opportunities and trade-offs for the right-of-way they have to work within, without having to measure or draw. The Complete Streets Game helps non-experts and experts work together to co-design public space.

Number of Players: 4-6 per set

2

HOW TO PLAY1. Choose the width of the right-of-way (ROW) you would like to make more complete. 2. Place your Game Board ruler on the back of the game tin. Indicate your ROW with

half of the width on each side of the ‘Centre Line’ mark on the ruler. 3. Gather up the full and base game pieces (see “Description of Game Pieces”: A1, A2,

A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, E1, E2) that represent the existing configuration of your street and arrange on the Game Board ruler.

4. Discuss and develop a vision for your street. Talk about the current state of the street and what your priorities are for it. Explore in what ways your street could be redesigned to include these priorities and imagine what its future could be. Talk about what trade-offs need to be made based on your ROW, and work together to negotiate how to find space for all the desired uses. You may want to consider taking a walk together on your street to take a closer look at how the street functions.

5. Gather up the full and base game pieces (see “Description of Game Pieces”: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, E1, E2) that represent the new configuration of your street that reflects your priorities and arrange on the Game Board ruler (as shown below).

6. Arrange the game pieces that represent how people will move on your street (e.g. on foot, by bicycle, public transit, car, truck, etc.)

7. Gather up any add-on game pieces (see “Description of Game Pieces”: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8) that you would like to include to provide context or additional benefits (e.g. parking, outdoor café, benches, trees, transit shelter, lighting, etc.) and arrange on top of the base pieces.

8. Get creative and add other features with the help of blank pieces.9. Mix and match until you get a street that fits with the group’s objectives. 10. Once you do, take a picture and try another option.11. Choose your preferred option from all the different ones. 12. Check Pg 11 for Game Variations which include different characters or challenges to

consider when creating your design.

FIRST-TIME SETUP

Most of the pieces are pre-cut and only need to be

punched out of the magnet sheet. The remaining pieces,

indicated by a dotted line, need

to be hand-cut.

1.5 m 1.5 m

B1 B1

Note: The ROW is publicly owned land that includes both the street and the

sidewalk. Typically, residential streets are 15-22 metres (m) wide, main streets

with two vehicular travel lanes are 20-30m, and main streets with four

vehicular travel lanes are 20-45m. The game works best when you choose a real street you are familiar with that

needs to be improved.

Note: The game board is designed for ROW of up to 30m. If the ROW

exceeds 30m, use a tabletop or any other flat surface to play the game.

You can still use the ruler provided in the game, and add additional pieces

to achieve your full ROW width.

Cut along the dotted line

3.5 m 2.2 m

C2A2

2.0 m

F7

1.0 m

2.1 m

A1

1.0 m

2.1 m

A1

3.2 m

A3

1.0 m

A2A3

1.2 m

F4 F8F5 F6

1.2 m

B1

F2

1.2 m

B2

F2

1.8 m1.8 m

B1B1 F4

3.3 m 3.3 m

D1

3.0 m 2.5 m

E1D1D2

CentreLine

20 m ROW

20 m ROW

25 m ROW

25 m ROW

30 m ROW

30 m ROW

15 m ROW

15 m ROW

F7: Cafe Furniture

A1: Pedestrian Clearway

F5: Street Lighting

F4: Tree

F8: Bicycle Parking F2: Bollard

D1: Vehicular Travel Lane

D2: Turning Lane

E1: Parking Lane

A2: Frontage and Marketing

Zone

A3: Furnishing and Planting

ZoneGame Board/ROW

Ruler

B2: Buffer

B1: Bicycle Lane

D1: Vehicular Travel Lane

F2: Bollard

B1: Bicycle Lane

F4: Tree

A1: Pedestrian Clearway

F6: Bench

B2: Buffer A3: Furnishing and Planting

Zone

A2: Frontage and Marketing

Zone

3

DESCRIPTION OF GAME PIECESPlayers are provided with games pieces in different widths based on current design guidelines (see “References”.) Players are also provided with blank game pieces in order to adapt the game to local context or new standards that may emerge. Each game piece has a code printed in the top right corner. This code corresponds to the piece’s description.

The pedestrian clearway is for the unobstructed use of people walking and/or using an assistive device.

Widths Available: 1.8 m, 2.1 m, 3.0 m

PEDESTRIAN CLEARWAY

A1HOW TO USE IT1. If the street sees many pedestrians, like on busy commercial streets in larger cities,

consider a pedestrian clearway width of 3 m. 2. A pedestrian clearway of 1.8 m is typically only recommended on streets with low

pedestrian volumes or if the ROW is very narrow (for example in historic cities, smaller towns, or on residential streets).

3. Determine the width of pedestrian clearway for your design before determining the dimensions of the Frontage and Marketing Zone (A2), and Furnishing and Planting Zone (A3).

A) PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTUREA sidewalk is made up of three zones – the Pedestrian Clearway (A1), a Frontage and Marketing Zone (A2), and a Furnishing and Planting Zone (A3).

This space adjacent to the building/property line can potentially be used by businesses on the street (e.g. for outdoor displays, sidewalk patios, etc.)

Widths Available: 1.0 m, 2.0 m

FRONTAGE AND MARKETING ZONE

A2HOW TO USE IT1. Consider using this piece when designing for a street that has commercial activities. 2. Consider a width of 2.0 if it is a busy commercial street with lots of activity, such as

restaurants (that may benefit from a sidewalk patio) or theatres (that would result in long queues outside).

3. This base piece can be used with add-on pieces café furniture (F7) and signage (F8) that fit on your Frontage and Marketing Zone width.

3.0 m

A1

C2A2

2.0 m 3.2 m

A3

F8F4F8

1.0 m

2.1 m

A1F7

2.0 m

A2

NOTE: The Frontage and Marketing Zones (A2) and the Furnishing and

Planting Zones (A3) are base pieces. Add-on pieces F1, F4, F5, F6, F7 and F8

can be used to complete these zones. You may be able to use several of

these pieces on each zone (as shown).

NOTE: When designing for a

residential street, use Furnishing

and Planting Zone pieces (A3) in

place of Frontage and Marketing

Zones.

This is a base piece. Add an F-series

piece to complete it.

Pedestrian Clearway, King Street, Waterloo

4

Located between the street pavement edge and the pedestrian clearway, this zone provides space for trees, planting, transit stops, bicycle racks, benches, lighting, signage, public art, etc.

Widths Available: 1.2 m, 2.0 m, 3.2 m, 5.5 m

FURNISHING AND PLANTING ZONE

A3HOW TO USE IT1. Consider using a wider width if: i. adjacent traffic speeds are 50 km/hr or higher ii. streets have transit service/transit stops iii. streets have retail iv. the city gets heavy snowfall (for snow storage) v. large, mature trees will be planted vi. public art or sculpture is desired2. This base piece can be used with add-on pieces like planter boxes (F1), trees (F4), lighting (F5),

benches (F6), bicycle racks, or other features (F8) that fit on your Furnishing and Planting Zone width.

3.2 m

A3

This is a base piece. Add an F-series

piece to complete it.

Furnishing and Planting Zone, St. George Street, Toronto

Bicycle lane, Laurier Avenue, Montreal In-boulevard bicycle lane, Brealey Drive, Peterborough

Buffer: Planters, Richmond Street, Toronto

Sidewalk patio on Avenue Cartier, Quebec City

Buffer: Hatched paint pavement markings, Harbord Street, Toronto

5

A bicycle lane is a portion of the street that has been designated by pavement markings and signage to provide a safe and comfortable place for exclusive use by people riding bicycles. They can be used in conjunction with buffer zones for enhanced protection (see “Description of Game Pieces”: B2).

Widths Available: 1.5 m, 1.8 m, 2.2 m

BICYCLE LANE

B1HOW TO USE IT1. The choice of bicycle lane width and buffer type is typically influenced by the volume

and speed of motor vehicle traffic as well as bicycle volumes. 2. A width of 2.2 m can be used for areas that have the potential for lots of people using

bicycles, such as busy commercial streets. 3. If the street width does not permit this, or if there are not many people expected to use

bicycles, consider a bicycle lane width of 1.8 m.4. A bicycle lane width of 1.5 m only allows for people to ride single-file and is typically only

used if the ROW is very narrow (for example in historic cities) and there are low motor vehicle volumes.

5. Bicycle lanes can also be installed next to the sidewalk (in-boulevard) for additional protection and comfort if there is sufficient space to maintain a pedestrian clearway (see A1).

B) BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE

Buffer zones increase comfort and safety for people on bicycles by providing separation between bicycle lanes and moving or parked motor vehicles.

Widths Available: 0.5 m, 0.8 m, 1.2 m

BUFFER ZONE

B2HOW TO USE IT1. Buffer zones can be placed i. Between a bicycle lane and a vehicular travel lane; and/or ii. Between a parking lane and a bicycle lane to prevent “dooring” (when a motor vehicle door is opened suddenly into the path of a passing bicycle). 2. There are several different options for how to design buffer zones: i. Hatched paint pavement markings. ii. Planters (see F1). iii. Bollards (see F2). iv. Concrete curbs (see F3). 3. The painted buffer zone of 0.5 or 0.8 m are used to provide just a hatched buffer zone.4. The buffer zone of 1.2 m provides a buffer wide enough for bollards, planters, or

concrete curbs

2.2 m

B1

1.2 m

B2

This is a base piece.

Add an F-series piece to

complete it.

NOTE: Generally, the wider the

bicycle lane is, the more comfortable it will be, and the

more likely it is that people of all

ages and abilities, including children

and seniors, will use it.

NOTE: Hatched paint pavement

markings provide the most flexibility for

people on bicycle to maneuver into or out

of the lane but the least protection from

motorized traffic encroaching into

bicycle lanes.

NOTE: Planters, bollards and

concrete curbs provide enhanced

protection from motorized traffic encroaching into

bicycle lanes.

Buffer: Bollards, Bloor Street, Toronto Buffer: Concrete curbs, Burrard Street Bridge, Vancouver

6

C) TRANSIT INFRASTRUCTURE

For streets where public transit is a high priority, these dedicated lanes can help to improve transit reliability, speed and capacity. Widths Available: 3.5 m

LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) (C1)/BUS RAPID TRANSIT (BRT) (C2)C1/

C2HOW TO USE IT1. Consider if your street requires dedicated lanes for Light Rail Transit (LRT) (C1) or Bus-Rapid Transit

(BRT) (C2). 2. Typically, these dedicated lanes are either located in the centre of the ROW or at the curbside or right-

most vehicular travel lane. 3. A transit lane in the centre may be created by combining the ‘Right’ and ‘Left’ LRT and BRT pieces.4. Integrate transit stops into the design as needed.5. At transit stops at curbside, consider placing the bicycle lane between the stop and the sidewalk to

avoid conflicts with boarding/alighting passengers.6. On two-way streets, consider placing the transit lane i. in the centre of the ROW to form a ‘centre transit lane’, or ii. In the right-most vehicular travel lane adjacent to the curbside parking lane to form a ‘side-running rail’7. On one-way streets with parking, consider placing the transit lane in the left-most or right-most lane

offset by a parking lane.

To provide shelter for people waiting for public transit vehicles.

Widths Available: 2.0 m

TRANSIT STOP WITH SHELTERC3HOW TO USE IT1. Consider using if your street design includes public transit vehicles (e.g. LRT, BRT, buses.)2. If you are putting your transit stop on the sidewalk, use this piece instead of a Furnishing and Planting

Zone of 2.0 m.

TRANSIT STOP WITH SIGNC4HOW TO USE IT1. Within a limited ROW, consider using if your street design includes buses.2. If you are putting your transit stop on the sidewalk, use this piece instead of a Furnishing and Planting

Zone of 1.2 m.

To provide a place for people to wait for public transit vehicles.

Widths Available: 1.2 m

3.5 m3.5 m3.5 m

C1

3.5 m

C2

C3

2.0 m 1.2 m

C4

LRT on St. Clair Avenue, Toronto BRT on Highway 7 East, Markham

7

These lanes are intended to accommodate any vehicle type and be shared by cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles.

Widths Available: 3.0 m, 3.3 m

VEHICULAR TRAVEL LANE

D1HOW TO USE IT1. For curbside or right hand travel lanes, or lanes that accommodate bus or truck travel, consider using

the 3.3 m lane.2. For through travel lanes on multi-lane streets, consider using the 3.0 m lane.

D) VEHICULAR INFRASTRUCTURE

When designing a street section that is approaching an intersection, turn lanes may be added. Left- and right-turn lanes provide turning vehicles space to comfortably slow down before making the turn.

Widths Available: 3.0 m

TURNING LANE

D2HOW TO USE IT1. When designing a street section that is approaching an intersection, turn lanes may be added.2. Consider adding a turn lane if in your discussion you decide its important (e.g. if there are high volumes

of turning traffic.)3. A left-turn lane with a refuge island is one of the features that can be used when vehicular travel lanes

are reduced to one in each direction, so that turning vehicles do not block through traffic. 3.0 m

D2

A refuge island is a space in the middle of the street for people walking or on bicycle to wait before finishing crossing.

Widths Available: 3.0 m

REFUGE ISLAND

D3HOW TO USE IT1. The refuge island is typically used at mid-block locations. 2. It can also be used in combination with a centre turn lane. 3. This can also be used as a space for planting trees, but sightlines will need to be clear.

3.0 m

D1

3.0 m

D3

Transit Stop with Shelter, Markham Viva BRT, Markham A left-turn lane in Toronto

8

Parking lanes provide space for on-street parking of motor vehicles.

Widths Available: 2.5 m

PARKING LANE

E1HOW TO USE IT1. Consider using this piece if in your discussion you decide it’s important for the adjacent land

uses and/or if there are few off-street alternatives in the area.2. Consider if the lane will be used for the exclusive use of parking or if there will be other curbside

vehicle uses as well (e.g. for commercial vehicle deliveries, passenger pick-ups/drop-offs, etc.).

E) PARKING INFRASTRUCTURE

Parklets are green spaces, parks, patios or public spaces installed in place of on-street parking.

Widths Available: 2.5 m

PARKLET

E2HOW TO USE ITConsider using this piece to help expand your street’s space available for social gathering, especially if there is a shortage of public space or seating on your street.

Planters are often used to define the buffer of protected bicycle lanes or to provide greenery in public spaces.

PLANTERF1HOW TO USE IT1. To define a protected bicycle lane buffer using planters, use this piece with the 1.2m Buffer Zone

piece (B2).2. To provide some greenery on your sidewalk, use this piece with the 1.2m Furnishing and Planting

Zone (A3).

F) STREET FURNITURE AND PLANTINGAll of the pieces in this section are add-on pieces that can be used to complete the base pieces in the Frontage and Marketing Zone (A2), the Furnishing and Planting Zone (A3), or the Buffer Zone (B2). You may be able to use more than one of these pieces in each zone.

2.5 m

E1

2.5 m

E2

F1

1.2 m

B2

3.2 m

A3

Use it with:

A refuge island in Victoria A parklet on Fort Street, Victoria

9

These are short posts made out of flexible or durable material used to restrict motorized vehicle access.

BOLLARDF2HOW TO USE ITTo provide additional protection for people on bicycles, use this piece with a Buffer Zone (B2) of 1.2m beside your bicycle lane.

These are curbs made out of concrete used to restrict motorized vehicle access.

CONCRETE CURBF3HOW TO USE ITTo provide additional protection for people on bicycles, use this piece with a Buffer Zone (B2) of 1.2m beside your bicycle lane.

Street trees provide many important functions including improvedair quality, shade, stormwater management, wind protection, and beauty.

TREE

F4HOW TO USE IT1. To plant trees in a limited ROW, use this piece with a Furnishing and Planting Zone (A3) of 1.2 m. 2. If ROW permits, consider using Furnishing and Planting Zones (A3) of wider widths (2.0m, 3.2m

or 5.5m) to support larger, more mature trees.

Streetlights make streets and sidewalks safer and inviting and improve nighttime visibility for all people using the street. Utility poles are columns that support overhead power lines and various other public utilities.

LIGHT AND UTILITY POLE

F5HOW TO USE ITTo provide lighting or utilities, use this piece with a Furnishing and Planting Zone (A3) of 1.2 m.

F2

F3

F4

1.2 m

B2

Use it with:

1.2 m

B2

Use it with:

3.2 m

A3

F5Use it with:

3.2 m

A3

Use it with:

10

Benches make sidewalks more inviting and provide people walking with a place to rest which is particularly helpful for seniors, people who are pregnant or have small children, or people with a mobility impairment.

BENCH

F6HOW TO USE ITTo add seating to your sidewalk, use this piece with a Furnishing and Planting Zone (A3) of 1.2 m.

To provide seating on the sidewalks outside cafes and restaurants and help animate the street.

OUTDOOR CAFE FURNITUREF7HOW TO USE ITConsider using on commercial streets with restaurants or cafes where there is sufficient space. To add outdoor seating to a café or restaurant on your street, use this piece with a Frontage and Marketing Zone (A2) of 2.0 m.

OTHER FEATURES

F8 Some other add-on features included in the game are: bicycle parking, way-finding signage, public garbage/recycling, and a pile of snow. Consider using one or more of these pieces in your Furnishing and Planting Zone (A3).

F6

F7

F8F8F8F8

Use it with:

3.2 m

A3

Use these with:

2.0 m

A2

Use it with:

3.2 m

A3

NOTE: Decide which direction you want the bench to face (toward

the street or away from the street).

Bike parking in University of Toronto, Toronto Sidewalk zones during snow, Hurontario Street, Collingwood

11

The sticky note pads allow you to add comments to your design thus adding a personal layer to your final design output.

COMMENT PADSG2HOW TO USE IT1. Considering using to describe any blank pieces that are used, or any other time

when you feel the arrangement of the pieces require additional information or don’t convey what you set out to achieve, or

2. If you simply want to make the street sections more fun!

These blank pieces are flexible pieces that give you the opportunity to design your own street segment or a different size of game piece than provided (e.g. bicycle lane, pedestrian through zone, vehicular travel lanes etc.).

Widths Available: Varying widths

CREATE-YOUR-OWN-PIECES

G1HOW TO USE ITConsider using when a street segment of your desired function and width is not available. Choose the blank piece with the width that corresponds to your desired function (e.g. bicycle lane, frontage zone, pedestrian clearway etc.).

GAME VARIATIONSCharacter CardsEach player can take a random role card and assume that role throughout the game.

Challenge CardsAfter you have agreed on your first Complete Street, you can take a challenge card and reconsider how your design will need to change because of new information.

3.0 m

G1

12

TEAM

Toronto Centre for Active TransportationNancy Smith LeaTessa NascaJiya BenniCar MartinYvonne Verlinden

Advisers and ReviewersChris Hardwicke, O2 Planning+Design, CalgaryAnne Juillet, Montreal Urban Ecology Centre, MontrealPeter Murphy, Ville de Québec, Québec CityDylan Passmore, City of Vancouver, VancouverKate Whitfield, Alta Planning+Design – Canada, Inc., OttawaDaniel Woolfson, City of Toronto, Toronto

Translation Peter Murphy, Ville de Québec, Québec CityTristan Bougie, Montreal Urban Ecology Centre

FINANCIAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY

This publication was made possible through a financial contri-bution from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The ideas expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the Public Health Agency of Canada. Financial support was also provided by the City of Peterborough.

CONTACTToronto Centre for Active TransportationClean Air Partnership75 Elizabeth StreetToronto, Ontario, CanadaM5G 1P4

www.tcat.ca www.completestreetsforcanada.ca www.participatoryplanning.ca

REFERENCESCity of Toronto, Design Guidelines: Streetscape Manual, 2007 City of Toronto, Green Streets Technical Guidelines, November 2017City of Toronto, Road Classification System Summary Document, 2013City of Toronto, Road Engineering Design Guidelines, June 2017City of Toronto, The Streetscape Manual, 2007City of Toronto, Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines, 2017City of Toronto, Toronto Street Trees: Guide to Standard Planting Options, 2010National Association of City Transportation Officials, Transit Street Design Guide, 2016National Association of City Transportation Officials, Urban Bikeway Design Guide, 2014Ontario Ministry of Transportation, The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook, 2013Ontario Traffic Manual, Book 18: Cycling Facilities, December 2013Transportation Association of Canada, Geometric Design Guide for Canadian Roads, June 2017

IMAGE AND GRAPHICS CREDITSDesign elements were created using vectors designed by the following authors: Freepik, Macrovector, and iconicbestiary.p. 3 – King Street, Waterloo, Copyright: Queen’s Printer for Ontario, photo source: Ontario Growth Secretariat, Ministry of Municipal Affairsp. 4 – Top Left: Avenue Cartier, Quebec City: Peter Murphyp. 4 – Top Right St. George Street, Toronto: Elana Horowitzp. 4 – Centre Left: Laurier Avenue, Montreal: Dylan Passmorep. 4 – Centre Right: Brealey Drive, Peterborough: Brandon Quigley p. 4 – Bottom Left: Harbord Street, Toronto: City of Toronto p. 4 – Bottom Right: Richmond Street, Toronto: Dylan Passmore p. 5 - Left: Bloor Street, Toronto: Anthony Gallorop. 5 - Right: Burrard Street Bridge, Vancouver: Dylan Passmorep. 6 – Left: St. Clair Avenue, Toronto: Dylan Passmorep. 6 – Right: Highway 7 East, Markham: York Regionp. 7 – Left: Markham Viva Bus Rapid Transit, Markham Copyright: Queen’s Printer for Ontario, photo source: Ontario Growth Secretariat, Ministry of Municipal Affairsp. 7 – Right: Left-turn Lane, Toronto: Dylan Passmorep. 8 – Left: Refuge Island, Victoria: Dylan Passmorep. 8 – Right: Fort Street, Victoria: Dylan Passmorep. 10 – Left: University of Toronto, Toronto: Dylan Passmorep. 10 – Right: Hurontario Street, Collingwood Copyright: Queen’s Printer for Ontario, photo source: Ontario Growth Secretariat, Ministry of Municipal Affairs

@2018 Toronto Centre for Active Transportation