With Vision Zero faltering around the country, maybe it's time to get back to the fundamentals of street design. An example from Cincinnati shows how street improvements can achieve significant improvements with relatively little expense.
"Cincinnati's Department of Transportation & Engineering will be installing speed cushions throughout the city after their temporary use in Winton Hills significantly dropped speeds for traveling vehicles," reports Allison Babka for CityBeat.
The rubber cushions, "which look like two speed humps side by side," helped reduce average automobile speed from 37 mph to 20 mph since they were installed on Winneste Avenue in Winston Hills, according to a February 7 report detailing the effects of the pilot project.
Just 11% of vehicles exceeded the posted speed limit of 25mph after installation. Before that, 95% did," writes Babka for additional insight into the results of the experiment.
The pilot project and the report are the result of the city's Vision Zero initiative. In another recent Vision Zero pilot project, the city's Department of Transportation & Engineering in December began testing plastic curb extensions at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and Pullan Avenue in Northside. "The curb extensions prevent motorists from passing in the parking lane, and force traffic into one travel lane, slowing speeds into the pedestrian-friendly neighborhood business district," according to the city's website.
As reported by Babka, the city of Cincinnati claims to have implemented 200 pedestrian safety projects in 37 neighborhoods in 2021. In 2022, the city has budgeted $1.25 million for more pedestrian safety improvements.
Read the full story: Cincinnati to Add More Speed-Reduction Cushions After Successful Pilot Program
Cincinnati Gets Serious About Pedestrian Safety
A new in-house team dedicated to pedestrian safety at Cincinnati City Hall and a new complete streets ordinance are some of the changes underway in Cincinnati.
Let’s End Traffic Stops
The technology to make traffic enforcement obsolete is becoming available. But in the U.S. willing to use it?
Cincinnati To Consider $1 Million Traffic Calming Program
A proposal before Cincinnati's city council would boost traffic calming initiatives and use innovative technology to slow traffic on some of the city's most dangerous streets.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago Avenue bridge construction delays enrages city leaders
The bridge has been closed since 2025. The city originally aimed to re-open it in December, and now expects to finish construction in 2027.
NYC bus network redesign speeds up Queens buses
Rush routes have seen a 4.6% speed increase after the redesign.
California High-Speed Rail Authority picks trainset manufacturer
The California High-Speed Rail Authority aims to start servicing passengers by 2033.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority