In the face of rising pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities, the District of Columbia's police department began deploying automated photo enforcement technologies while San Francisco took a multi-agency, collaborative planning approach.
With bicycle and pedestrian fatalities increasing by 6.5 and 6.4 percent, respectively, we look at different approaches cities are taking to make streets safer for those who bike and walk.
In the District of Columbia, as we posted in September, they see traffic enforcement technology as playing a key role in reducing car collisions with pedestrians, particularly at crosswalks. Enforcement went into effect on Nov. 24, writes Kate Hinds. Five innovative photo-enforcement technologies beyond red light cameras are described and available on video on "DC Street Safe". For example, check out the 30-second video on new stop sign cameras.
The AAA called this approach to traffic safety "the nuclear option," reports Martin DiCaro of WAMU radio.
Chloe Johnson of the San Francisco Examiner writes of the collaboration of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, Planning Department, Public Health Department and City Controller’s Office to launch "WalkFirst". The goal is to "reduc(e) fatal pedestrian injuries by 25 percent by 2016 and 50 percent by 2021. Over the next five years, $17 million is expected to be spent on the effort." The WalkFirst report (PDF) prepared by the aforementioned agencies was published in Oct., 2011.
A third approach was taken in New York City, as we posted here on Friday, and illustrated below.
At Madison Avenue and 135th Street, a mix of additional pedestrian space and crossing time, turn restrictions, clearer markings, and tighter corners led to an 18 percent reduction in injuries. Photos: NYC DOT
FULL STORY: D.C. Traffic Cameras To Police Crosswalks, Stop Signs
Big Cities Make Pedestrian Safety a Priority
New data released Dec. 19 by NHTSA shows increased safety for those traveling by car, but pedestrian fatalities are 15% higher than in 2009. Plans by San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago to increase ped safety are described by the WSJ.
San Francisco Turns On California’s First Speed Cameras
The city is the first in the state to use automated traffic enforcement to reduce speeding and traffic deaths.
Data Shows Chicago Speed Cameras Reduce Speeding, Crashes
Countering claims made by the Chicago Tribune that automated enforcement doesn’t improve safety, Streetsblog Chicago lays out the data showing how traffic safety fared in camera zones.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
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.
Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.
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.
LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie