A video explainer of the notorious traffic law that explains why some cities have to raise speed limits to enforce traffic safety.
To understand the scale of the challenge that must be overcome to achieve Vision Zero safety goals to eliminate traffic fatalities and to break the strangle hold cars have on U.S. cities, look no further than the 85th Percentile Rule, as neatly explained in the Grist video shown above.
For more background, see past Planetizen coverage of the 85th Percentile Rule.
FULL STORY: A 1930s city planning rule has drivers setting their own speed limits
NACTO Recommends Default Safety Setting for Speed Limits
A step toward an overhaul of the way speed is managed on city streets around the country.
After Lowering Speed Limits for Pedestrian Safety, Town Writes 1,000% More Speeding Tickets
Police are enforcing speed limits in the name of public safety in North Haledon, New jersey. Drivers are being urged to respect the speed limit.
How the Law Enshrines Car Dependence
Land use regulations provide exhibit A in this indictment of the American legal system's support for a murderous and destructive dependence on automobiles for transportation.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.
Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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