Kelly Smith looks at a host of technologies - from thermoplastics to video sensing systems - that local leaders in Minnesota are hoping can make crosswalks safer for pedestrians amid rising incidences of fatalities.
More bikers and walkers on the streets of Minnesota's cities are conspiring to make 2012 the state's deadliest year for pedestrians in the last five. As a result, cities across the state are experimenting with ways to reduce pedestrian and vehicular accidents at intersections.
"'In the last three to five years, there's been a tremendous amount of
work done on crosswalk safety,' said Wayne Houle, Edina's engineering
director, adding it's spurred by more bikers and walkers using streets. 'It's the trend of people getting out of their cars and walking and
biking ... they're kind of demanding it.'"
Some, however, question if some of the new technologies are truly effective in improving safety. "'Right now, they're new and different and eye-catching,'
said Sue Groth, state traffic engineer [of pavement marking technology]. 'But are the motorists going to
be looking at the pavement markings and not at pedestrians? Are they
more effective is the question that needs to be answered.'"
FULL STORY: Minnesota cities upgrade to address crosswalk danger
San Francisco Implements ‘Daylighting’ at Intersections
Vehicles are prohibited from parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk as part of the city’s Vision Zero efforts to eliminate traffic deaths and make roads safer.
Austin Completes First Round of Vision Zero Projects
Small, localized interventions such as changes to signal timing and crosswalk improvements are saving lives and improving traffic safety.
San Francisco Officials Call for Citywide Ban on Right Turns on Red
A proposal to prohibit turns on red at some downtown intersections prompted calls for a blanket ban for the entire city.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.
Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.
Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
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.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions