A city report highlights successes and failures in building safer transportation infrastructure and reducing VMT in 2023.
The city of Orlando says it will ramp up efforts to improve walkability after receiving a Walk Score of 41 out of 100, reports Sabrina Maggiore for Yahoo News. According to the city’s 2023 Growth Management Plan Indicators Report, only 2.7 percent of Orlando residents walk to work.
Additionally, accessibility is an issue: “Some in wheelchairs say getting around the city can be especially challenging: they point to missing sidewalk ramps at pedestrian crossings, incomplete sidewalks, and areas where sidewalks are altogether non-existent.”
The report also notes that the city did not meet its 2023 goal of building 25 miles of new sidewalks or reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
The city released a statement touting its current and future efforts to build out its sidewalk network and make its roads safer. According to the statement, “Quick-Build projects, such as crosswalks, bike lanes and parklets, are all part of Orlando’s Vision Zero efforts to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries within the city by 2040.”
FULL STORY: Orlando says improvements are coming after city scores 41 out of 100 for walkability
How “Proven Safety Countermeasures” Save Lives
A bill named in honor of a U.S. diplomat killed while on her bicycle would let state DOTs access full federal funding for road safety projects.
Report: San Diego’s Lack of Progress on Vision Zero Mirrors Nationwide Trend
The city’s efforts to improve road safety have been outweighed by other factors such as larger vehicle sizes.
Houston Mayor Pauses Complete Streets Projects
The move raises concerns among road safety advocates who point out that traffic deaths continue to rise.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service