In what should come as a surprise to no one, drivers are much more likely to yield to pedestrians when they can actually see them.

A new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety emphasizes the importance of crosswalk lighting for pedestrian safety, reports Dan Zukowski in Smart Cities Dive.
The study analyzed four intersections in Kalamazoo, Michigan. “At these intersections, none of which had traffic signals, researchers found that drivers slowed where flashing beacons or any type of lighting were present, but a combination of flashing beacons and crosswalk lighting triggered by the pedestrian resulted in the highest yielding behavior.” At one dimly lit site, flashing beacons and crosswalk lighting made drivers 13 times more likely to yield to pedestrians.
The study highlights how simple, relatively inexpensive fixes can help stem the epidemic of traffic deaths facing most U.S. communities. According to IIHS President David Harkey, “We can stop pedestrians from being killed if we make sure drivers see them — but first city planners and road designers have to see the light.”
FULL STORY: Lighted crosswalks improve pedestrian safety at night, study shows

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.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service