Two Seattle councilmembers are proposing a large, necessary step toward slowing drivers enough to eliminate traffic deaths in the city.
"Seattle City Councilmembers Tim Burgess and Mike O’Brien announced a proposal to lower speed limits throughout much of the City of Seattle to limits currently found throughout every other city in King County," reports Ryan Packer.
The proposal would "lower the unsigned speed limit on all non-arterial neighborhood streets" throughout the city to 20 mph and lower the speed limit on center city streets to 25 mph. Packer notes that the change would be a significant gesture toward the city's stated Vision Zero goals of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. "Previous moves that the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has made in pursuit of this goal include the restriction of right turns on red on some problem intersections in Downtown, as well as highly visible distracted driving and anti-DUI campaigns that focus on the personal responsibility aspect of traffic safety," adds Packer.
FULL STORY: Vision Zero To Be Propelled By Speed Limit Changes
Lower Speed Limits Are the Law in Seattle
The city of Seattle moved quickly in enacting a speed limit change on streets around downtown. File this under real change to achieve the goals of Vision Zero.
Speed Limit Reform Spreading Across Minnesota
After the Twin Cities lowered speed limits in the urban core of the region in 2020, a trio of suburban cities are planning to follow. Two of the cities are planning to set some speed limits as low as 20 mph.
Seattle Expands Speed Limit Reductions
After an initial wave of speed limit reductions in 2016, the city of Seattle will embark on a major expansion of speed limit reductions over the next 18 months.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.
Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.
Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont