Understanding Honolulu's Transit Data

"For instance, an O'ahu-wide review of all pedestrian accidents might show where traffic-calming devices are most needed. Instead, city officials often scatter the traffic-calming devices such as roundabouts and speed bumps throughout the island on the basis of requests or complaints from politicians and residents.

That's not unusual in cities of all sizes across the country, said Lisa Fontana Tierney, technical projects director for the national Institute of Traffic Engineers in Washington, D.C.

'It's a common complaint that city officials are understaffed and don't have the resources to be more proactive,' Fontana said. 'That doesn't mean it's right. It's not OK to just go around putting out fires. If complete studies were done more frequently and fixes made, there would be less driver frustration and fewer accidents.' "