Austin Lowers Speed Limits to Increase Traffic Safety

It's not quite citywide speed limit reductions that some Vision Zero cities are implementing, but the city of Austin has approved a suite of speed limit changes.

1 minute read

September 22, 2019, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Austin

Andrew Nourse / Flickr

"The Austin City Council approved a round of speed limit changes, the latest tangible sign of the city’s efforts to make streets safer," reports Samuel King.

"The streets selected are mostly what the city classifies as Level 3 roadways or arterials," explains King. The changes, listed specifically in the article, involve a variety of new speed limits, with new speed limits posted at anywhere from 35 mph to 50 mph.  

"More rounds of speed limit changes are planned as the Austin Transportation Department continues to implement its new speed management program," as part of the city's Vision Zero initiative, according to King.

In 2016, speed limit news in Austin involved the need to overcome state preemption to implement actual speed reductions on city streets.

Thursday, September 19, 2019 in KUT

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

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.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today