To find out whether SUVs are really safer than cars, scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory analyzed highway traffic fatality data. The findings were surprising.
The authors of this study analyzed fatality data by type of vehicle. They discovered which vehicles caused more fatalities to their drivers, and which were more fatal to other drivers. "Opponents of strengthened fuel-economy standards claimhigher standards will result in more traffic fatalities. If the newfleet were to be like the recent average light vehicle, trafficdeaths probably would increase...Many existing small-car models, built primarily by foreignmanufacturers, are as safe as their larger and heavier (and lessefficient) counterparts...There is reason to expect that manufacturers can further improve the safety of vehicles by making them lighter without making them smaller,...While it is reasonable to expect that increased fuel economy standards would make for lighter vehicles, we have shown that reduced vehicle weight does not imply reduced safety." [Complete report in PDF format, 4.6 MB.]
Thanks to Haila Maze
FULL STORY: Are SUVs Really Safer Than Cars? [PDF, 4.9MB]
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.
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The EV “Charging Divide” Plaguing Rural America
With “the deck stacked” against rural areas, will the great electric American road trip ever be a reality?
Judge Halts Brooklyn Bike Lane Removal
Lawyers must prove the city was not acting “arbitrarily, capriciously, and illegally” in ordering the hasty removal.
Engineers Gave America's Roads an Almost Failing Grade — Why Aren't We Fixing Them?
With over a trillion dollars spent on roads that are still falling apart, advocates propose a new “fix it first” framework.
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.
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Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
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Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)