A hearing on pedestrian infrastructure in Dallas—which is proving exceptionally deadly this year—reveals the sharp political divide on how to make streets safe for walking.
"So far in 2015, 32 pedestrians have been killed while trying to cross Dallas streets — the same number killed during all of 2014, according to a briefing presented to the Dallas City Council’s Public Safety Committee," reports Robert Wilonsky.
The rub: some have a difference of opinion of why so many pedestrians have died. "That very same briefing, prepared and presented by Dallas police and the Department of Street Services, maintains that 24 of this year’s fatalities were caused when a pedestrian failed to yield to a vehicle. And, further down: 'A majority of pedestrian fatalities in the City are due to pedestrian error.'"
On the other side of the argument is Council member Philip Kingston, who says "pedestrians aren’t to blame when they get run over. It’s 'the infrastructure that places the pedestrian in harm’s way' that’s to blame. 'It’s not people being stupid,' he said. Beat. 'Occasionally, sure.' But not always. Not most of the time."
Read the full story: As fatalities rise, says Philip Kingston, Dallas must stop ‘building streets that hurt pedestrians’
Hawaii DOT takes action after reporters call attention to dangerous crosswalk
The state made changes to a treacherous intersection after reporting revealed that traffic light timing was posting a threat to pedestrians.
Long Beach, New York pledges $600K for pedestrian safety
The city will use $500,000 in community block development grant funding to improve pedestrian infrastructure.
LA Cites Guerilla Crosswalk Painter With Vandalism
The LA Police Department stopped a group of volunteers who was painting missing crosswalks in a Westwood intersection.
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.
SEPTA to bring nearby frequent transit to over 1 million new riders as part of decade-long plan
The agency's Accelerate plan will also bring frequent transit to twice the amount of jobs that are currently located near it.
NYC plants over 18,000 trees, the most new foliage in a decade
Many of the trees were planted in communities vulnerable to extreme heat.
New bill requires California data center developers to create water scarcity plans
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed 7 bills intended to give California communities more information about the impact of proposed data centers.
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.
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello