Traffic Safety

January Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month
How a tidal wave of potential changes at the federal level could throw many programs planners depend on into chaos, a roundup of last year’s zoning stories, and the continuing ripple effects of a landmark Supreme Court case.

Raleigh Announces Safe Streets Plan
The city wants to eliminate traffic deaths by 2045.

How San Francisco’s ‘People Protected Bike Lanes’ are Moving the Needle on Road Safety
A local bike safety protest has become a global phenomenon.

Las Vegas Uses ‘Mini-Roundabout’ for Traffic Calming
Roundabouts, commonly used in other countries, are starting to catch on in U.S. cities. They can improve traffic flow and bring efficiency benefits.

Why Right Turns on Red Are Bad for Traffic Safety
The practice creates dangerous conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and anyone crossing in front of turning vehicles.

Philadelphia to Add New Speed Cameras
Speeding violations on streets with automated traffic enforcement are down by 95 percent, according to city officials.

OKC Releases Draft Vision Zero Plan
The plan identifies a High Injury Network and strategies for improving road safety on Oklahoma City streets.

Why Aren’t There More Bollards in US Cities?
Solid barriers, like the dormant ones in New Orleans, are commonly used to improve road safety in Europe. Why not here?

‘Safe Land Use:’ A Key to Road Safety
How approaching transportation planning through a public health lens can reduce traffic deaths.

NACTO Releases Updated Urban Bikeway Guide
The third edition of the nationally recognized road design guide includes detailed design advice for roads that prioritize safety and accessibility for all users.

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Roundabout
What drives the U.S. backlash to roundabouts — objectively safer and more efficient than stop-and-go intersections?

NYC Pedestrian Deaths Rose in 2024
The city’s Vision Zero efforts seem to have stalled.

Save Lives on Our Roads Using the Safe System Approach
Prioritizing safety and committing to the SSA framework can make a big impact in the effort to reduce traffic fatalities.

Waymo Robotaxis Often Fail to Stop for Pedestrians
One journalist recorded more than a dozen instances of Waymo autonomous cars speeding by when he tried to cross the street.

Portland Traffic Deaths Surpass 2022 Number
This year, 69 people have died in traffic crashes in Portland, Oregon, nearly twice as many as in 2018, when the city began its Vision Zero program.

North Texas Transportation Council Advocates for Road Safety, Rail Projects
The North Texas Regional Transportation Council issued a series of recommendations for state legislators that include more support for road safety projects and high-speed rail.

Planetizen’s Top Urban Planning Books of 2024
Top of mind in 2024 were the far-reaching impacts of climate displacement, zoning as a solution to the housing crisis, and the potential for safer roads and better public transit in American cities.

The Most Bike-Friendly States in the Nation
The League of American Bicyclists ranks states based on bike infrastructure and safety efforts.

Audit: Portland’s Vision Zero Needs More Data, Funding
A city audit found that the program has failed to reduce traffic deaths and could benefit from a more systematic approach. Meanwhile, PBOT says it needs more state funding to support road safety projects.

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.
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