Jane E. Brody reports on the safety features New York City has instituted as part of an ambitious effort to completely re-engineer city streets.
As the numbers of pedestrians and cyclists in New York City have risen, a remarkable thing has happened, "the number of traffic-related deaths on city streets fell last year to the lowest level in a century, declining 40 percent since 2001."
Brody attributes these statistics to a plan-in-progress being led by the city's transportation commissioner, Janette Sadik-Khan, to re-engineer the city's streets with safety features such as, "pedestrian plazas, well-marked crosswalks, bike lanes (both segregated and shared with vehicles) and timed traffic signals that enable pedestrians to better judge their ability to cross streets safely."
According to Brody, "The city is also enhancing enforcement of traffic laws, with more summonses for drivers who ignore stop signs, sail through red lights, and talk or text on a handheld device while driving. But as Ms. Sadik-Khan acknowledges, this is only the beginning; a lot more must be done to make the city streets safer for people who wish to navigate them under their own steam."
FULL STORY: Personal Health: Giving City Streets Built-In Safety Features
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To Control Health Costs, Build Sidewalks
Each month new research emerges linking public health with the built environment. Yet just a small fraction of healthcare spending goes toward reducing our exposure to unhealthy environments. Under the Affordable Care Act, that could soon change.
What More 'Livable Streets' Could Mean for New York
This article from The New York Observer looks at how New York City might be different with more "livable streets".
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
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Has President Trump Met His Match?
Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.
Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
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San Jose Mayor Takes Dual Approach to Unsheltered Homeless Population
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Atlanta Changes Beltline Rail Plan
City officials say they are committed to building rail connections, but are nixing a prior plan to extend the streetcar network.
Are Black Mayors Being Pushed Out of Office?
The mayors of New York, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh all stand to lose their seats in the coming weeks. They also all happen to be Black.
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.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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