Despite years of consistent decline, and a variety of efforts aimed at improving safety, traffic fatalities spiked by 23 percent last year in New York City. Matt Flegenheimer examines what may be causing the increase.
Findings included in last week's release of the twice-yearly Mayor's Management Report revealed figures that are sure to give pause to Mayor Bloomberg and his top transportation deputy, Janette Sadik-Khan. "Though overall crashes fell slightly for the second straight year, 176
cyclists or pedestrians were killed in crashes, up from 158 the previous
year. The other 115 deaths were motorists or their passengers, a sharp
rise from the 78 drivers and passengers killed the year before."
While Flegenheimer seems to suggest initially that the numbers indicate the failure of recent measures credited with improving safety, such as pedestrian plazas and bike lanes, he also notes that "preliminary
analysis suggested that the crashes were concentrated on highways, far
removed from many of the areas that have been the focus of the city's
initiatives."
"According to the Mayor's Management Report, speeding, driving while
intoxicated, and running red lights or stop signs accounted for a
combined 54 percent of motorist or passenger fatalities." DOT Commissioner Sadik-Khan also attributes partial blame to a rise in distracted driving and distracted walking.
"The traffic data appears more encouraging," notes Flegenheimer, "when set against figures from
past years, before the city experienced its recent sharp decline in
annual deaths. There were 243 traffic fatalities in the calendar year
2011, about a 38 percent reduction from 2001."
Read the full story: Traffic Deaths Rise in New York City
Helsinki Achieves Full Year With No Traffic Deaths
How did the Finnish capital achieve Vision Zero? It was no accident.
Audit: Portland’s Vision Zero Needs More Data, Funding
A city audit found that the program has failed to reduce traffic deaths and could benefit from a more systematic approach. Meanwhile, PBOT says it needs more state funding to support road safety projects.
Banning Right Turns on Red Just One Step Toward Vision Zero
Experts caution that blanket bans on right turns on red make only a slight contribution to reducing fatal crashes, and other interventions are needed to bring down traffic fatalities.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades
The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.
'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide
Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.
Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies
International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.
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.
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello