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.

After a year in which 300 pedestrians were struck by vehicles and seven killed in Cincinnati, Cameron Knight reports that the city could boost its traffic safety programs with additional investment in traffic calming, if a proposal co-sponsored by Councilman Mark Jeffreys and Mayor Aftab Pureval passes.
"Department of Transportation and Engineering Director John Brazina said the $1 million injection doubles the current budget for pedestrian safety. Ten neighborhoods were planned to see improvements this year, but now 30 will be included in the project."
The plan includes installation of four types of devices, including "speed cushions," a speed bump that accommodates emergency vehicles driving at full speed while slowing regular cars. "The next two devices – slow turn wedges and hardened centerlines – are meant to force drivers to make sharper turns at intersections. This should slow drivers down because they won't be able to make sweeping turns at higher speeds. The devices also push drivers to enter further into the intersections before turning, giving them better visibility."
The fourth device is being dubbed "artistic bump-outs," writes Knight. This initiative would cut the cost and deployment time of bump-outs, which usually cost $80,000 to $100,000 per set, according to Councilman Mark Jeffreys. "Neighborhoods will have the ability to stylize and decorate the bump-outs in unique ways."
If approved by the city council, the proposal would use funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to support 30 projects around the city.
FULL STORY: Cincinnati's $1 million pedestrian safety measure would use new ideas to slow traffic

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living
Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown
In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

Off-Peak is the New On-Peak
Public transit systems in major U.S. cities are starting to focus on non-rush hour travelers as pre-pandemic commuting patterns shift and transportation needs change.

Tacoma Coalition Calls for ‘Tenants’ Bill of Rights’
The group wants to put more power in the hands of tenants, but the city has its own, competing proposal for addressing the housing crisis.

New Power Transmission Line Approved in the Southwest
The proposed transmission line will transfer wind-produced power from New Mexico to cities in Arizona and California.

The Limitations of ‘Reconnecting Communities’
The Biden administration has pledged to correct the damage imposed on communities by highways and infrastructure, but many projects are only committing to minor improvements, not transformative changes.
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
Code Studio
TAG Associates, Inc.
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Knox County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
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.