SDOT has installed safety improvements at more than 260 public schools since 2015.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced it has met its goal to make safety improvements to intersections around all public schools in the city.
The goal was established by the 2015 Move Seattle Levy. According to a press release from the Mayor’s office, “Since the Levy’s approval in 2015, SDOT has built over 260 school-focused projects citywide. Safe Routes to School projects often include upgrades to sidewalks, crosswalks, speed cushions, and other kinds of traffic calming.” The city’s 2023-2024 Safe Routes to School Annual Report notes that 28 percent of Seattle students walk or bike to school, and that adding speed cushions has led to a 21 percent reduction in speeds on arterial streets.
SDOT also offers community initiatives that include giving out essential safety items for community and school groups. “Additionally, schools, PTAs, and community groups can apply for grants of up to $1,000 to organize walking and biking activities, such as walking/biking school buses.” Another program, School Streets, has closed off 16 street segments to traffic during school hours to make walking and biking to school safer for children and families.
Safe Streets Funding in Jeopardy
The Trump administration is specifically targeting bike infrastructure and other road safety projects in its funding cuts.
Southeast LA Road Safety Advocates Call for Improved Infrastructure
Streets in southeastern Los Angeles County have a severe lack of protected bike lanes and traffic safety measures, leading to high numbers of fatalities in a community where many residents depend on walking and biking for daily needs.
California Governor Signs Complete Streets Bill Into Law
The state’s transportation agency will be required to prioritize multimodal transportation infrastructure and improve transparency.
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.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
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.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service