Streetsblog’s Best and Worst of 2023 Transportation

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.”