In an effort to curb traffic accidents, which typically increase with longer nights, New York is launching a 'dusk and darkness' ad campaign.
With winter coming to the northern hemisphere, the days are getting shorter and that means more danger for New York City pedestrians. Winnie Hu of The New York Times reports, "The weekday hourly average rate of severe injuries and fatalities involving pedestrians rose to 2.44 in mid-December, or nearly triple the average rate of 0.84 in August."
To address the issue, New York is embarking on a, "$ 1.5 million dollar 'dusk and darkness' safety campaign that will include radio and television advertisements." Hu describes how this ad campaign is part of New York's Vision Zero effort to curb traffic fatalities.
The problem of traveling after sundown strikes this author as one better solved through design than advertisements. Especially as it is an old, predictable, and universal issue that's unlikely to go away. This is the same safety campaign that inspired Alissa Walker to write a strong argument against "pedestrian shaming."
FULL STORY: As Evening Commute Gets Darker, It Also Gets More Dangerous, Officials Warn
NYC Pedestrian Deaths Rose in 2024
The city’s Vision Zero efforts seem to have stalled.
NYC Sees 127 Traffic Deaths in First Half of 2024
The number is the highest since the city pledged to end traffic deaths through Vision Zero policies a decade ago.
New York’s Deadliest Neighborhoods for Pedestrians
Pedestrian deaths rose last year, but remain below pre-2020 levels.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
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?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
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