The proposed legislation would give cities the ability to reduce neighborhood speed limits without having to produce expensive traffic studies.

A set of bills making their way through the Texas state legislature could make it easier for local governments to lower speed limits on residential streets to 20 miles per hour, according to an article by Noor Adatia in The Dallas Morning News.
Current Texas state law lets cities reduce speed limits in residential areas to 25 miles per hour, but only after engaging in costly and time-consuming traffic studies. Senate Bill 1663 and its companion bill in the state House would let cities bypass these requirements.
Road safety advocates point out that lower speed limits reduce the risk of serious injuries and deaths in crashes. “Higher speeds on the road increase the risk of pedestrian death, according to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. At 23 mph, the risk of death is 10% and jumps to 25% at 35 mph, the study found.”
FULL STORY: Bill targets lower speed limits in Texas neighborhoods

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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