Despite a nationwide rise in traffic fatalities, almost half of U.S. states have transferred federal road safety dollars to other projects.

According to an article by Daniel C. Vock in Route Fifty, “nearly half of state transportation departments have diverted money from Washington specifically designated to making highways safer,” prompting concerns among some members of Congress. “U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, an Oregon Democrat who chairs the House committee on transportation and infrastructure, expressed his frustration over the common practice at a recent hearing. DeFazio said it was ‘very disturbing’ that, in the five years leading up to September 2021, 23 states transferred money out of the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program for other uses.” It should be noted that states are legally allowed to transfer up to half of the funding to other transportation-related uses.
“At a time when traffic fatalities remain at unacceptable levels and have increased substantially in every state over the last two years, we believe that the authorized amounts for HSIP should be the absolute minimum dedicated to safety improvements and transfers out should not be acceptable,” said Peter True, a spokesperson for the Democrats on the committee. Among the 23 states that moved safety funding to other uses are Wisconsin (48 percent), New Jersey (44.4 percent), and Maryland (41.3 percent).
Vock notes that “Several states added money to their program instead. In fact, both South Dakota and California more than doubled their allocation. Other states that diverted more money to the program were North Dakota, Georgia, Arkansas, Alaska, Montana, Washington and Virginia.”
FULL STORY: The States Shifting Road Safety Dollars Away From Safety Programs

Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects
Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.

Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’
A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?

Proposal Would Transform L.A.’s ‘Freeway to Nowhere’ Into Park, Housing
A never-completed freeway segment could see new life as a mixed-use development with housing, commercial space, and one of the county’s largest parks.

Santa Cruz Transit Looks to Expand
A small transit agency in Northern California is making ambitious expansion plans.

Advancing Park Equity Through Needs Assessments
City Parks Alliance, in partnership with Prevention Institute, recently hosted a webinar about park equity and collaboration, focusing on the Los Angeles Countywide Parks Needs Assessment.

California Impact Fees Reach Supreme Court
An upcoming ruling could have a major impact on building and development in California and around the country.
Alta Planning + Design
Alta Planning + Design
City of Kyle
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Washington University
Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility
City of Helena
Lassen County Planning and Building Services
City of San Carlos
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.