Low income people are more likely to get hit by cars. Kate Hinds reports on the social and infrastructural factors responsible for the disparity.
In Newark, New Jersey, about 500 pedestrians collide with vehicles each year. Dr. David Livingston, chief trauma surgeon at the University Hospital in Newark, sees about 300 of them. Due to this high accident rate, Newark, along with several other cities, has been dubbed a "pedestrian safety focus city" by the federal government.
Research from Rutgers University has shown a strong correlation between low income neighborhoods and high pedestrian crash totals. Daniel Kravetz, who conducted the research as a graduate student, says "The higher the income level, the lower the likelihood for crashes to occur in an area." It may seem logical to conclude that the wealthier residents are equipped with cars and simply don't walk the streets of Newark as often. But Kate Hinds points out that pedestrian infrastructure is a major factor in the Newark accident rates. Intersections in many low income neighborhoods are lacking crosswalks, pedestrian signals, curb cuts and sidewalks.
Newark officials say they are committed to making improvements, however. They've dedicated $27 million dollars this year to bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements, an unprecedented amount according to the city's traffic manager. Educational outreach programs and red light traffic cameras to calm traffic are also in the plans to reduce pedestrian accidents.
Thanks to Jessica Brent
FULL STORY: Poor Pedestrians More Likely To Be Struck by Cars

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie