Close to 50 governmental and nongovernmental organizations signed on to a pledge to take concrete action to reduce traffic deaths around the country.

A new federal initiative urges cities to take action toward the Department of Transportation (USDOT)’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, released last year. According to an article by Dan Zukowski in Smart Cities Dive, “Based on the safe system approach, the program’s five strategies focus on safer people, safer vehicles, safer speeds, safer roads and post-crash care.”
The initiative includes almost 50 government, industry, and nongovernmental participants that have pledged to take specific steps to reduce roadway deaths.
The commitments include:
- The National League of Cities will include up to 50 additional communities in its Safety First Challenge, along with adding local safety data resources, working with youth safety leaders and elected officials.
- The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials is updating its Highway Safety Manual with added research-based methods and more expansive pedestrian and bicyclist safety considerations.
- The League of American Bicyclists will provide technical assistance to local governments and work with states as they implement vulnerable road user safety, speed management and Complete Streets planning activities.
- The Vision Zero Network is developing a new series of resources and educational opportunities for local, regional and Tribal communities.
FULL STORY: US DOT launches roadway safety call to action

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing
From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

Cool Walkability Planning
Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.

Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.
The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.

Denver Makes ADU Rules More Flexible
The city hopes adjusting its regulations for accessory dwelling units will make the process more affordable for residents and help ease the city’s housing crunch.

Illinois Legislators Pass Controversial I-55 Road Expansion Legislation
Legislation to enable the addition of express toll lanes on Interstate 55 in the Southwest Side of Chicago, opposed by environmental justice advocates, cleared the Illinois General Assembly last month.

What Is ‘Arterial Rapid Transit?’
Atlanta is planning to build ‘BRT lite,’ a version of bus service that offers signal priority and fewer stops but keeps buses in mixed-traffic lanes.
Caltrans
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
City of Orange
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
City of Lomita
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