A step toward an overhaul of the way speed is managed on city streets around the country.
"The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) [in July] released a guide urging local leaders to rethink how they set speed limits on city streets in a bid to prevent pedestrian deaths," reports Chris Teale.
The "City Limits" guide recommends that cities "[set] default speed limits on many streets at once, designate slow zones in what they deem "sensitive areas" and set speed limits on major corridors by using studies that take into account density and activity level."
NACTO describes this guidance as furthering goals set forth by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in 2017 to completely overhaul how speed is managed on U.S. streets, including the way that speed limits are set.
Teale cites NACTO Program Manager Jenny O'Connell in stating that NACTO's new guidance would recommend the demise of the 85th percentile rule, "which involves measuring 100 drivers traveling without traffic and setting the speed limit based on the 15th-fastest driver." The 85th percentile rule has been used by some jurisdictions to justify higher speed limits for the sake of enforcement.
FULL STORY: NACTO urges shift from 'outdated' speed-limit planning
The 85th Percentile Rule, Explained
A video explainer of the notorious traffic law that explains why some cities have to raise speed limits to enforce traffic safety.
Raising Speed Limits in the Name of Traffic Safety
Business Insider offers a platform for an argument favored by the National Motorists Association and a particularly vocal Michigan state police officer: that speed limits are too slow to be safe.
Savannah Reduces Speed Limits on Almost 100 City Streets
The historic Georgia city is lowering speed limits in an effort to reduce road fatalities.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)