With Vision Zero faltering around the country, maybe it's time to get back to the fundamentals of street design. An example from Cincinnati shows how street improvements can achieve significant improvements with relatively little expense.
"Cincinnati's Department of Transportation & Engineering will be installing speed cushions throughout the city after their temporary use in Winton Hills significantly dropped speeds for traveling vehicles," reports Allison Babka for CityBeat.
The rubber cushions, "which look like two speed humps side by side," helped reduce average automobile speed from 37 mph to 20 mph since they were installed on Winneste Avenue in Winston Hills, according to a February 7 report detailing the effects of the pilot project.
Just 11% of vehicles exceeded the posted speed limit of 25mph after installation. Before that, 95% did," writes Babka for additional insight into the results of the experiment.
The pilot project and the report are the result of the city's Vision Zero initiative. In another recent Vision Zero pilot project, the city's Department of Transportation & Engineering in December began testing plastic curb extensions at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and Pullan Avenue in Northside. "The curb extensions prevent motorists from passing in the parking lane, and force traffic into one travel lane, slowing speeds into the pedestrian-friendly neighborhood business district," according to the city's website.
As reported by Babka, the city of Cincinnati claims to have implemented 200 pedestrian safety projects in 37 neighborhoods in 2021. In 2022, the city has budgeted $1.25 million for more pedestrian safety improvements.
FULL STORY: Cincinnati to Add More Speed-Reduction Cushions After Successful Pilot Program
Cincinnati Gets Serious About Pedestrian Safety
A new in-house team dedicated to pedestrian safety at Cincinnati City Hall and a new complete streets ordinance are some of the changes underway in Cincinnati.
Let’s End Traffic Stops
The technology to make traffic enforcement obsolete is becoming available. But in the U.S. willing to use it?
Cincinnati To Consider $1 Million Traffic Calming Program
A proposal before Cincinnati's city council would boost traffic calming initiatives and use innovative technology to slow traffic on some of the city's most dangerous streets.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association