H.R. 1780, sponsored by Democratic Representative Doris Matsui of California and Republican Representative Steve LaTourette of Ohio, would require state transportation officials to consider the needs of all transportation users — pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and people with disabilities, as well as motorists — in every phase of planning and development.

A complete streets policy at the federal level would help ensure that miserable, dangerous streets like this become history in our communities:

Walking in the Ditch, by Transportation for America

Fortunately, we don’t have to wait for a new federal law for states and local communities to start building streets and roads to benefit our communities and make us safer. More than 200 local governments and 23 states are already doing it, leading the way for Congress. The National Complete Streets Coalition penned a report analyzing these policies and identifying best practices, findings you can learn more about here.

The top-rated policies are diverse in geography and size, and include:

• New Jersey Department of Transportation
• Louisiana Department of Transportation
• State of Minnesota
• State of Connecticut
• Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (Columbus)
• Bloomington/Monroe County, IN Metropolitan Planning Organization
• Hennepin County, Minnesota
• Lee County, Florida
• Salt Lake County, Utah
• Crystal City, Missouri
• Roanoke, Virginia
• Missoula, Montana
• Herculaneum, Missouri
• New Haven, Connecticut
• Tacoma, Washington

It shouldn’t be a surprise to see complete streets policies sprouting up in places both urban and rural, red and blue. The Rockefeller Foundation Transportation Survey, conducted at the beginning of 2011, found that “safer streets for our communities and children” was voters’ top infrastructure investment priority. A commanding 40 percent listed safe streets as their first priority, and 57 percent listed it in their top two.

The federal legislation is expected to pick up additional support from both parties in the coming weeks.

The Act is a “marker” bill to be folded into what becomes the comprehensive reauthorization of the nation’s transportation law. But to get that policy folded into the bigger transportation bill, we’ll need to let Congress know that their constituents support it in our cities and communities. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be giving all of you the opportunity to call and write your Representative to urge them to join their colleagues in sponsoring or supporting this bipartisan bill. (Something you can certainly do on your own today!)

Congratulations to our partners at the National Complete Streets Coalition for this terrific news. Their hard work over the last few years has made this possible.

In recent marathon sessions — that’s right, they run up to 14 hours — members of the Energy and Commerce Committee in the U.S. House have been working in overdrive on the legislation, known as “The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.” Thankfully, the issues of providing better transportation options and promoting smart development have found a true champion in Congresswoman Matsui.

In yesterday’s hearing, Congresswoman Matsui had the opportunity to state her case for her Smart Planning for Smart Growth Act (H.R. 1780), and successfully garnered a commitment from Henry Waxman, the chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, to work together on these issues. Her remarks are below:

Mr. Chairman, I would like to get your commitment to work together with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee going forward to address all aspects of Section 222…from modeling…to development of plans…to implementation of plans…to be eligible for funding by states. States and cities will need resources to not only effectively plan…they will also need resources necessary to implement strategies like increasing transit use.

Chairman Waxman responded with a pledge to Congresswoman Matsui to continue working to fund transportation and planning activities that make our communities safer, healthier and more economically secure. You can watch the whole exchange here the Committee’s website. For Congresswoman Matsui’s statement and exchange, skip to 8:49:10.

The Smart Planning for Smart Growth Act would requires states and metropolitan planning organizations to create regional plans designed to generate emissions reductions and cost savings from the transportation sector by reducing per-capita vehicle miles traveled.

With transportation accounting for more 30 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions, we know that we must act quickly to ensure that it remains an essential part of the debate on climate. Be sure to sign a letter to your representative in Congress urging them to support a clean and efficient transportation system.