City streets need only few things to make them safe, according to the famous urbanist Jane Jacobs. She says safe streets need people walking around, places for them to go, things for them to do and other people for them to interact with. Simple as that. But Jane forgot one more thing: a sock full of quarters.
Safety
Jaywalking Not As Big A Safety Issue As Assumed
Over the past 15 years, more than 76,000 pedestrians have been killed in the U.S. Some say preventing a significant portion of these deaths is as simple as enforcing jaywalking laws. Not so, argues Tom Vanderbilt, author of Traffic.
Slate
Safety and Gender in Los Angeles
Enci Box's personal account of how gender, safety, and living car-free intersect in her daily transportation decisions.
LA Streetsblog
Rail Safety Improvements Years Away
Head-on train collisions can be avoided by simply keeping one train per track. There's a plan to make that happen, but it's years from implementation.
Miller-McCune
More Terrifying Than Texting?
In this survey, drivers 'fess up to twelve distracting things they do while driving; and some are even more distracting than texting.
The Chicago Tribune
The Planetizen News Brief - 9/10/09
4:25 minutes (4.05 MB)
Turning off traffic lights in London, reducing VMT through density, and the rising demand for parks -- all on this week's Planetizen News Brief, airing weekly on the nationally-syndicated radio show "Smart City". Read, listen or download.
Rethinking the Street Space: Why Street Design Matters
Streets aren't just for driving, and cities are starting to realize it. Amber Hawkes and Georgia Sheridan explain why street design matters and where we are today in terms of designing the "street space."
Safety in Immigrant Numbers
A high rate of poverty, a large population of illegal aliens, and a next-door neighbor to one of the most dangerous cities in the hemisphere, El Paso would seem to be a hotbed of danger. But it's actually one of the safest big cities in America.
Reason
Inspection in Philly After D.C. Crash
SEPTA of Philadelphia will inspect train-control signals made by the same company that made the signals on the Metro in D.C, where a possible signal malfunction is under investigation in the recent train crash.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
'Death Wish' and the Life of Great American Cities
Thu, 10/23/2008 - 07:53
Planning for True Security
Tue, 10/07/2008 - 10:26
Most people have a highly distorted view of the risks they face, which skews their decisions and ultimately reduces their happiness. We live in one of the safest times and places in history, yet, many people live in constant fear, and respond in ways that actually reduce overall security. This is a major obstacle to efficient transportation, healthy living, and livable community.
Cars, Kids, and a Safer Environment Through Planning
Urban areas are filled with cars, and this creates an unsafe environment for children. This commentary argues that officials need to regain their faith in the power of planning to address the issue.
Guardian
Post-9/11 Safety Provisions Challenged
Safety codes recommended by NIST after analyzing the collapse of the World Trade Center are being challenged by another federal agency on the grounds they will be too costly.
The New York Times
A Struggle Between Security and Civil Rights at Beijing's Olympics
Security is a major concern during large public events like the Olympics. The Chinese government is making preparations for a safe event, but could they go too far?
Buildings Magazine
Kids Afraid to Play in Public
A recent report by The Australian Commission of Children and Young People reveals that kids in Sydney are too afraid to play outside or ride the bus.
The Daily Telegraph, Sydney
Manhole Theft Plagues Philadelphia
The rising value of iron and steel has prompted thieves to steal an alarming amount of manhole covers from Philadelphia's streets.
The New York Times
Bike Language: the Wave, the Yell and the Nod
Mon, 07/14/2008 - 14:52
City cycling can be hectic. Let's be realistic: most American cities are not meant for cyclists. It would be great if they were, but for now, our city forms are primarily designed for the movement of cars. Because cities are made for cars, it's understandable that car drivers tend to disregard the fact that somebody might be riding a bike out there. (Interchange blogger Mike Lydon recently wrote an excellent piece about planning for bicycle networks.) Until our urban forms and public policies encourage the use of roads by a variety of transportation types, the burden is on cyclists to assert their role in the transit jungle. Communication is key to achieving this goal. Safe cycling (and safe transportation in general) relies heavily on communication. Safe cyclists speak bike language -- a rudimentary system made up of three main components: the wave, the yell and the nod.
Of Cyclepaths and Psychopaths
Cyclists Bill Reynolds muses on the freedom offered by the bicycle -- and the tragic tendency for cyclists to fall victim to automobiles.
The Walrus
NYC To Experiment With Car-Free Zone
In an effort to increase livability, New York City will test a 6.9 mile car-free corridor during the month of August.
The New York Times
A Laser Light Show in the Crosswalk
Will laser-projected pedestrians make crossing the street safer in South Korea?
Streetsblog
Wi-Fi Plans Dropped Over Health Concerns
Officials in the California city of Sebastopol have gone back on an agreement with an Internet provider that was planning to create a municipal Wi-Fi network for the city. They cited health concerns in their decision.
The Press Democrat
