Road Design

Cars crashed inthe middle of a dirt highway median.

Texas AI study links disparate data sets to identify dangerous road segments

A new study combines multiple data sources to assess roadway risks.

July 20, 2026 - SMBtech

Tow truck driver stands next to red sedan with crumpled front in middle of street.

Video: Why are US roads so dangerous?

The CityNerd YouTube channel highlights key statistics from the 2026 Dangerous by Design report.

July 12, 2026 - CityNerd

Roundabout in Friday Harbor, Washington.

Washington state has quietly built over 600 roundabouts

Nationwide data shows that roundabouts reduce injuries in crashes by 72%.

July 9, 2026 - The Seattle Times

Pennsylvania Avenue leading up to Capitol dome in Washington D.C.

'America's Main Street' could get a people-friendly makeover

Washington, D.C. officials are evaluating a redesign of Pennsylvania Avenue that would increase public seating and prioritize views of the Capitol.

April 8, 2026 - ABC 7 News

Family with three small children crossing the street in Bakersfield, California.

Sunbelt Cities Rank Lowest in Nation for Street Safety

Cities with low road safety rankings are overwhelmingly newer and located in the South and Southwest.

March 3, 2026 - Streetsblog USA

Roundabout with red mulch in middle in Sedona, Arizona with red truck driving through.

Study: Roundabouts are Primarily in Wealthier Neighborhoods

A North Carolina study sheds light on inequities in road safety interventions.

March 1, 2026 - Streetsblog USA

Two children stand on sidewalk at crosswalk with yellow curb extension.

Milwaukee's Secret to Reducing Speeding by 27%

The city’s efforts to make roads safer are paying off.

September 30, 2025 - Urban Milwaukee

Wide multi-lane road in Alamogordo, New Mexico with Papa John's and other fast food restaurants along road.

Study: Ugly Roads are Deadlier, too

New research shows that roads that are perceived as boring and ugly are more dangerous to people outside of cars.

August 25, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Head-on view of cars stopped at intersection on one-way street in San Francisco, California on a sunny day.

One-Way Streets Have Worse Crashes, Higher Crime and Lower Property Values — Why do we Still Use Them?

How reverting one-way streets to two-way can boost both safety and economic development.

August 22, 2025 - Next City

Tree-lined street with large old trees and full parking lane and one-way driving lane in Spain.

Research: More Complex Streets Are Safer

Streets that offer more perceived obstacles and distractions can force drivers to slow down and drive more carefully.

May 4, 2025 - State Smart Transportation Initiative

Complete Street

‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge

Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.

February 27, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of car dashboard with speedometer at 35 on roadway at night.

Has Progress on Travel Safety Run Off the Road?

Changing technology and rebuilding infrastructure to improve road safety are long-term strategies. How can enforcement and interventions that influence driver behavior make a difference in reducing traffic deaths sooner?

February 21, 2025 - Steven Polzin

Close-up of pedestrian and bike traffic light turned green.

‘Safe Land Use:’ A Key to Road Safety

How approaching transportation planning through a public health lens can reduce traffic deaths.

January 15, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Cyclist on bike in green painted bike lane at intersection with three-story buildings in background.

NACTO Releases Updated Urban Bikeway Guide

The third edition of the nationally recognized road design guide includes detailed design advice for roads that prioritize safety and accessibility for all users.

January 8, 2025 - National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)

Bird's eye view of roundabout with two lanes and four branches.

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Roundabout

What drives the U.S. backlash to roundabouts — objectively safer and more efficient than stop-and-go intersections?

January 8, 2025 - Bloomberg CityLab

Graphic illustrating street with various lanes designed in Streetmix.

Reimagining Your Street

How to use free online tools to redesign your local streetscape.

January 3, 2025 - Urbanism Speakeasy via Substack

Woman and two children riding bikes across a striped crosswalk.

Greenways Plus Highways: A Deadly Combination

The design of intersections between major roadways and bike and pedestrian paths can have fatal consequences.

November 27, 2024 - Strong Towns

Two young children crossing street at a crosswalk in front of black car.

US Street Design Manual Inches Toward Safer Roads

The guiding document for U.S. road design is starting to recognize the needs of people walking and biking, but safe streets advocates say more significant changes are needed to reduce the high number of pedestrian deaths and improve connectivity for all road users.

October 16, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of orange and white traffic cone on street with blurred worker in orange vest in background.

Book Review: Killed By A Traffic Engineer

In a new book, engineering professor Wes Marshall explains why American roads are so unsafe.

August 13, 2024 - Michael Lewyn

Aerial view of wide multilane road intersection.

Fixing the Notorious ‘Stroad’

Why roadways that try to serve everyone can be some of the most dangerous.

July 15, 2024 - The Conversation

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.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.