While traffic deaths in the United States keep rising, progress in cities like Hoboken and New York prove that, with the right resources, eliminating traffic deaths is possible.
In a bright spot for pedestrian safety in the United States, Angie Schmitt, writing for Bloomberg CityLab, highlights the U.S. cities where Vision Zero efforts are yielding positive results, particularly New York City and some of its smaller neighbors. According to the article, “Between 2010 and 2020, NYC’s traffic deaths fell 19%, while the US death rate rose 8% — an improvement that translates into a significant number of saved lives.”
Schmitt acknowledges New York’s density and uniquely robust toolkit, but writes that the city consciously devoted more resources to road safety than other major U.S. metropolises. Nearby Hoboken, New Jersey hasn’t had a traffic death in four years; similarly, Jersey City has not had a traffic death on non-state roads in 2022, since implementing more aggressive Vision Zero policies.
Schmitt warns us not to celebrate yet—after all, “Nationally, thanks to a combination of factors — most importantly growth in SUVs and extra-large pickups — deaths of pedestrians have grown 62% nationally since 2009, according to the nonprofit advocacy organization Smart Growth America.” But the successes seen in cities like New York and Hoboken show that progress is possible, if policies at the state and federal level can align with local needs. “There is evidence that well-funded sustained investments in reducing traffic deaths can work, not just abroad but in the US.”
FULL STORY: Where ‘Vision Zero’ Is Working
Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary
Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.
Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024
A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.
Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts
From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.
Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding
The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.
Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly
The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.
LA's Top Parks, Ranked
TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.
City of Rochester
Boston Harbor Now
City of Bellevue
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Birmingham, Alabama
City of Laramie, Wyoming
Colorado Department of Local Affairs
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.