Those who promote safe streets often complain of streets that are too wide, wasting space and promoting reckless speeds. In chilly Calgary, undisturbed snow shows just how much street area is completely unused.

In a short compelling piece for his blog, Sneckdown Calgary, Matthew Worona illustrates how untouched snow can show where street space is going totally unused—the formation known as a sneckdown. Snow can serve as evidence of how much of the road next to the curb goes untouched and, to a lesser extent, how often people turn in each direction. "Looking more specifically at the turn lanes there is potential that these are justified even if the road is significantly under capacity. If there are a huge number of turns made maybe the slip lanes are necessary. While the tracks in the snow show little use of all but one of the slip lanes I went looking for numbers," Worona writes.
It's not the first time the argument's been made. But it's worth the seasonal reminder of how lane widths can influence speed and safety of streets. Looking at the unused space, it's easy to think what could be done with the additional curb space, whether it's more room for sidewalks, trees, cafés, or awnings, or reducing the amount of time it takes a pedestrian to cross the street. That's useful space that's being wasted on empty asphalt.
FULL STORY: 8TH ST. AND ROYAL AVE. SW

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