Some states and cities are citing personal liberty and constitutional rights to oppose automated traffic enforcement and other road safety measures.

With traffic fatalities on the rise in many states, it would seem natural for state leaders to tap into the $15 billion in federal funding available for road safety projects. But 'liberty politics' could hinder efforts to improve traffic safety, writes Matthew Brown, as illustrated by this quote from a Utah resident: "This country was founded on freedom and liberty, this country was not founded for safety or security," said Dalane England, adding that "People are going to die if we drive automobiles."
For example, while the U.S. Department of Transportation recommends automated traffic enforcement, only 16 states have speed camera programs, and six states explicitly prohibit both speed cameras and red light cameras. Utah, for example, banned red-light cameras in the 1990s. "While local leaders, law enforcement and some residents argued at the time that the technology would save lives, opponents won the day by framing the issue around personal liberty." More recently, Florida governor Ron DeSantis expressed a similar sentiment about proposed speed cameras in his state.
"Those arguments may surface again as states and localities decide how they want to use their share of funding set aside for road safety measures," writes Brown. "Federal guidance also requires at least 15% of a state’s highway safety improvement program funding targets pedestrians, bicyclists and other nonmotorized road users if those groups make up 15% or more of the state’s crash fatalities."
FULL STORY: How personal liberty politics could prevent states from addressing traffic fatalities

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland