Experts caution that blanket bans on right turns on red make only a slight contribution to reducing fatal crashes, and other interventions are needed to bring down traffic fatalities.

Banning right turns on red can reduce vehicle-pedestrian conflict, but “may not substantially address road safety challenges,” reports Michael Brady in Smart Cities Dive.
“Indeed, research shows that allowing right-turn-on-red leads to more conflicts between cars and pedestrians. For instance, permitting right-turn-on-red led to a 43% to 107% increase in pedestrian crashes and a 72% to 123% rise in cyclist crashes, according to a 1982 study by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.” However, these crashes tend to be minor and not a major contributor to traffic fatalities. Between 1982 and 1992, just 0.2% of roadway fatalities occurred at intersections with right turns on red allowed.
Experts suggest taking a more targeted approach by banning right turns only at particularly dangerous intersections to “get the most benefit at the lowest political and economic cost.”
Ultimately, right-turn bans must fit within a “bigger policy framework” that includes “[l]owering posted vehicle speed limits, instating traffic-calming measures, reducing permissive left turns and improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.”
FULL STORY: Right-turn-on-red bans not a ‘silver bullet’ for pedestrian safety, experts say

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

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.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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