A controversial road diet has faced disapproval from local business owners, but data shows a significant reduction in crashes and a minimal increase in congestion.

After implementing a controversial road diet, the city of Lakeland, Florida has seen a 12% drop in crashes in the area, reports Staci DaSilva for WFLA. Last September, the city reduced one mile of South Florida Avenue to three lanes (down from four) and widened the remaining lanes to the industry-standard 11 feet, placing temporary concrete buffers between the sidewalk and traffic lanes.
Some local business owners have expressed disapproval for the redesigned street, claiming that they are losing customers frustrated by increased congestion and expressing concern about access for emergency vehicles. City officials say that, according to the data, the road diet has only added an average of 60 seconds to the time it takes to traverse the affected stretch of road, and the number of vehicles passing through the area on a daily basis hasn't changed. Other locals support the project, arguing that "the new setup is not only safer, but actually good for business." In a phenomenon dubbed "good congestion," a mild slowdown "allows drivers to pay attention to local storefronts."
The city will accept public suggestions for how to utilize the buffer space and make the changes permanent.
FULL STORY: Lakeland ‘road diet’ leads to fewer crashes, more congestion, city officials say

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.

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

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Cleveland to Boost Bike Safety With New Bike Lanes, School Programs
The program, using curriculum created by Cleveland Bikes, is part of a broader effort to improve safety along school routes.

Florida Home Insurers Disproportionately Dropping Low-Income Households
Non-renewal rates are highest in inland counties, not the coastal areas most immediately vulnerable to storms.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations
Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont