With people young and old embracing urban lifestyles and cities working to create more walkable environments, pedestrian safety is a growing concern across the U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has embraced the issue as a priority.
We heard this week about Mayor Bill de Blasio's plan to eliminate New York City's traffic deaths within a decade. But New York isn't the only city focusing on pedestrian safety. In San Francisco, a spate of deaths in December made 2013 the worst year for pedestrians since 2007, "and refocused a spotlight on a problem that city officials for years have vowed to address," reports Victoria Colliver. And a collision this week in Los Angeles involving a vehicle carrying Mayor Eric Garcetti and a 60-year-old woman shows that even the highest authorities aren't immune from reproach.
At the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board this week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx indicated that the federal government will examine ways to address the issue. He told a "packed room" that rising levels of pedestrian and bicyclist injuries while he was mayor of Charlotte, and his own experience being struck while jogging, have led him to "focus some attention on pedestrian and bicycle safety,” reports Tanya Snyder. Perhaps Foxx will consider supporting the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act introduced in November by Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Earl Blumenauer.
FULL STORY: Secretary Foxx Pledges to Make Bike/Ped Safety a Priority
Big Cities Make Pedestrian Safety a Priority
New data released Dec. 19 by NHTSA shows increased safety for those traveling by car, but pedestrian fatalities are 15% higher than in 2009. Plans by San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago to increase ped safety are described by the WSJ.
Are America's Cities Doing Enough to Protect Pedestrians?
Though more and more cities realize that walkability and livable streets are essential to their prosperity, their approach to pedestrian safety is often lacking. The slow pace of policy change isn't fast enough for the victims of "accidents".
Second Anniversary of the COVID-19 Pandemic
March 11 marked the second anniversary of WHO's declaration of the pandemic and the beginning of its third year. Cases continue to plummet in the U.S. and plateau globally while war in Europe has overshadowed the virus that has killed 6 million.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)