Dedicated bus lanes on busy arterials can act as traffic calming mechanisms to reduce speeding.

A new study reveals that dedicated bus lanes have the additional benefit of improving overall road safety, writes Chris McCahill for State Smart Transportation Initiative.
In Albuquerque, a team of researchers found that traffic speeds dropped significantly along corridors with bus rapid transit (BRT) infrastructure, making it an “especially effective” tool to curb speeding. “The effects were largest at intersections along the BRT route and in places where the number of general-purpose lanes was reduced. Average vehicle speeds dropped by around 15% when there was a lane reduction, versus 10% at other locations, and 85th percentile speeds dropped by 12% to 14%, versus 8% at other locations.” The study notes that speeds did not change much on roads with the fastest posted speed limit (40 mph).
The authors add that other studies have shown similar effects from bike lanes, trees, and other design cues. The findings are important because major arterial roads are often inappropriate for typical traffic calming interventions. “Converting arterial corridors to more multimodal arrangements can provide road users with mobility options while simultaneously improving safety outcomes.”
FULL STORY: Dedicated bus lanes improve safety

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

BLM To Rescind Public Lands Rule
The change will downgrade conservation, once again putting federal land at risk for mining and other extractive uses.

Indy Neighborhood Group Builds Temporary Multi-Use Path
Community members, aided in part by funding from the city, repurposed a vehicle lane to create a protected bike and pedestrian path for the summer season.
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.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
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