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59 The Department recognizes the types of roadway users and the way they interact with the transportation network is evolving as transportation technologies such as ride share, connected and autonomous vehicles, and electric vehicles become more prevalent. The Department will consider these evolving technologies and users in its planning and design guidelines. This policy sets forth the protocol for the development of transportation networks that encourage non-vehicular travel without compromising the safety, efficiency, or function of the facility. The purpose of this policy is to guide existing decision making and design processes to ensure that all users are included during the planning, design, construction, funding, operation and maintenance of North Carolina's transportation network, and will not create barriers or hazards to the movements of those users. Scope: This policy generally applies to all projects undertaken by NCDOT throughout the state. There are many factors that must be considered when implementing the policy, e.g., number of lanes, design speeds, intersection spacing, medians, curb parking, etc. The applicability of this policy should not be construed as conclusive. Each facility must be evaluated for proper applicability. Notwithstanding the exceptions stated herein, all transportation facilities funded by or through NCDOT, and planned, designed, or constructed on state-maintained facilities, must adhere to this policy. Approach: The Department is committed to collaborate with cities, towns, and communities to ensure pedestrian, bicycle, transit and evolving transportation technology options are included as an integral part of their total transportation vision. As a partner in the development and realization of their visions, the Department desires to assist localities, through the facilitation of long-range planning, to optimize connectivity, network interdependence, context sensitive options, and multimodal alternatives. During the Comprehensive Transportation Planning process, bicycle, pedestrian, transit, and other multimodal usage shall be presumed to exist along and across certain corridors (e.g. between residential developments, schools, businesses and recreational areas). It is the policy of the Department of Transportation to fully replace existing Complete Streets facilities disturbed as a result of a highway improvement project. Planning and Design Guidelines: The Complete Streets Planning and Design Guidelines were developed in 2012 to provide planners, designers and decision-makers with a framework for evaluating and incorporating various design elements into the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the Department's transportation projects. The guidelines describe the planning and project development procedures, including required documentation, to support the Complete Streets policy. In addition, the guidelines describe how all roadway users will share the right of way safely and provide special design elements and traffic management strategies to address unique circumstances. Planning, implementation and design guidelines will be updated periodically to address changes in Departmental policies and procedures and to reflect new transportation technologies and innovations. The NCDOT Roadway Design Manual is intended to serve as the authoritative reference for Complete Streets design in accordance with adopted guidelines of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and other adopted or approved State and Federal guidelines and standards.