A hopeful forecast predicts that thousands of monthly traffic collisions will be avoided due to reduced vehicular travel during California’s shelter-in-place period.
A U.C. Davis survey finds that auto collisions have been curbed by more than 50 percent since the stay-at-home orders went into effect around the state of California in March. "The survey suggests that a 60% drop in traffic volume — when compared with the same period last year — accounts for a roughly 50% decline in collisions on roadways policed by California Highway Patrol," writes Louis Sahagun.
The U.C. Davis Road Ecology Center's "California Highway Incident Processing System," which tracks close to real-time traffic data in California, reported only 500 collisions in the period between March 21st and March 30th, a significant reduction from the 1,116 collisions observed in the ten-day period between March 10th and March 19th. The decrease in vehicle travel and traffic volume resulting from the state-wide order also correlates to a reduction in fatality and injury caused by collisions.
Road Ecology Center co-director Fraser Shilling was unable to assess animal fatalities on public roadways, the main focus of his research, due to the lack of data in the short time period. Shilling hopes to center future research on "cost-savings and other social benefits from reduced injuries and deaths on state highways due to COVID-19."
FULL STORY: Coronavirus stay-at-home orders have reduced traffic accidents by half
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.