A dense network of streets creates the conditions for faster response times. Better pedestrian and automobile safety and excellent response times is a win-win. So why are fire officials undermining this network with calls for wider streets?
Fire officials often push for wider streets so that their biggest trucks can move more swiftly — but the wider streets lead to more deaths and injuries. They do this, supposedly, in the name of safety.
It shouldn't be too difficult to see that if fire protection policies add to a public safety problem of much greater magnitude — i.e., traffic injuries and fatalities — a different solution must be found.
For comparison, 2,500 civilians die and 16,000 are injured annually in building fires in the US, while 33,000 people die and 2.3 million people are injured in automobile crashes.
This is a real problem for communities across the US. We've been reporting on this issue since 1997, when New Urban News (the predecessor to Better! Cities & Towns), reported on a study by traffic engineer Peter Swift and collegues that looked at injuries and deaths over an eight year period in Longmont, Colorado, from automobile accidents and fires. The chance of a resident being injured goes up dramatically with each increase in street width, Swift determined. According to the article:
FULL STORY: Bad call: Wide streets in the name of fire safety
Does the Fire Code Have to Trump Urban Design?
Planners and urbanists are familiar with the many instances when fire and life safety codes conflict with quality urban design. The city of San Francisco is currently embroiled in policy conflict over the width of its streets.
Some Fire Departments Are Supporting Change for the Sake of Safer Streets
A few pioneering fire departments are making room for safety (while demanding less space) on city streets.
Research: More Complex Streets Are Safer
Streets that offer more perceived obstacles and distractions can force drivers to slow down and drive more carefully.
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