While American roads didn’t get much safer by the numbers, new policies indicate a shift toward a more sustainable transportation future.
Sustainable transportation had its ups and downs this year, and Streetsblog has compiled a comprehensive list of both.
The bad news first: “2023 was a rocky year for sustainable transportation advocates across the country, starting with the announcement of the final road death toll for 2022, which was, once again, a record breaker.” Meanwhile, highway construction and expansion continues relatively unabated despite federal pledges to ‘Reconnect Communities,’ and transit ridership continued to lag in many cities, putting transit agencies in bigger financial holes.
However, positive developments also made 2023 a successful year. Among the highlights: Safe Streets for All grants that could have a significant impact on traffic safety and walkability, tighter rules around greenhouse gas emissions, and minimum parking requirements falling like dominoes in cities around the country. In general, advocates are sensing a shift in mindset, signaling that “Americans intuitively understand what's broken about American transportation.”
FULL STORY: The Best News of 2023 For Sustainable Transportation Advocates
Jacksonville Takes Action on Vision Zero
The city is implementing its first-ever Vision Zero Action Plan in an effort to reduce pedestrian and cyclist deaths and serious injuries.
Pedestrian Deaths Tick Down — But Rose 58 Percent in the Last Decade
Road fatalities fell by a meager 4 percent in the first half of 2023.
San Francisco Turns On California’s First Speed Cameras
The city is the first in the state to use automated traffic enforcement to reduce speeding and traffic deaths.
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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