Traffic Safety

How the U.S. Could End Traffic Fatalities by 2050
Taking Vision Zero beyond the local level.

Opinion: A Surprising New Foe in the War Against Pedestrians
Allowing bikes on sidewalks pits cyclists against pedestrians, an advocate argues.

After 34 Years of Complete Streets, Florida Still Deadly for Pedestrians
Florida’s incremental steps toward complete streets have saved thousands of lives, but still left it one of the most dangerous states to walk in.

Study: High-Visibility Clothing No Solution for Bike Safety
A recent study from researchers at the University of Bologna adds to a growing body of evidence regarding their effects of laws that require bicyclists to wear high-visibility clothing.
The Dilemma of Autonomous Vehicle Testing
Autonomous vehicles hold the potential to greatly reduce auto crashes. Advocates want them on the road as early as possible to reduce fatalities. Skeptics worry that the public will be guinea pigs during the testing—case in point: Elaine Herzberg.

Autonomous Vehicle Reality
Planners must be realistic. Autonomous vehicles will probably provide smaller net benefits, including safety benefits, than optimists predict.
Tempe Police Chief: Uber AV vs. Pedestrian Crash May Have Been Unavoidable
After viewing the videos taken by two cameras equipped in the Uber autonomous vehicle that fatally struck 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg on Sunday, the chief concluded the crash was difficult to avoid. Also, lessons on the crash from David Leonhardt.

Uber Car Reportedly in Autonomous Mode Strikes and Kills a Pedestrian
This is likely the first time a pedestrian has been killed by a self-driving car.
Death of Two Children in Park Slope Crash Sparks Protest
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has been criticized by pedestrian safety activists and, when a driver ran a red light killing two young children, hundreds came out to confront the mayor in person.

Friday Funny: A Cartoon on the Human Element of Traffic Safety
This might be one of those uncomfortable laughs.

Drivers: Beware Following GPS Navigation Instructions Too Closely
For the second time at the same railroad crossing in Atherton, California, a motorist followed his GPS navigation onto Caltrain tracks. In both cases, the motorists fled their vehicles before being hit by an oncoming train.

On the Life-Saving Potential of Leading Pedestrian Intervals
Giving pedestrians a head start at crosswalks is a simple fix that could save lots of lives. New York City has already seen a significant reduction in fatalities and injuries.

It's that Time of Year Again: Sneckdown Time
Every year, all over the country (depending on El Niño and Polar Vortexes), snow covers roads and traffic patterns and snow removal equipment reveals a safer street design.

Portland Lowers Most of its Speed Limits to 20 mph
Portland has implemented one of the most sweeping commitments to traffic safety of any city in the United States: 20 mph speed limits over the vast majority of the city's streets.

U.S. Traffic More Dangerous Than Other Developed Nations
Around the world, car crashes are the tenth leading cause of death, and while the United States is spending money on transportation, that money isn't making the roads safer.

'Textalyzers' Could Help Cops Bust Distracted Drivers
Chicago is one of the first cities to consider the use of "textalyzers," which would allow police officers to scan phones to see if they were in use during an accident.

Pope Francis Calls on Us to Be Better Drivers
Imagine all the people, driving safely and courteously.

Michigan Finally Ready to Protect People on Bikes
A cultural change regarding bike safety for the home of the U.S. auto industry is a long time coming.

Get Home Safely Tonight (Or Tomorrow Morning)
CityLab has produced a pair of articles geared toward safe driving behaviors on New Year's Eve.

A New Traffic Safety Paradigm
Despite numerous traffic safety programs, traffic death rates have not declined in a decade and recently started to increase. We can do better! A new paradigm identifies additional safety strategies that reduce both crash rates and risk exposure.
Pagination
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.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service