Private autos will have restricted access to a congested stretch of downtown San Francisco's main drag, Market Street, beginning August 11, in an attempt to make the street safer for non-motorists.
"Come Tuesday, in the latest evolution of the thoroughfare, private vehicles will be barred from turning onto Market between Third and Eighth streets — an effort to reduce the number of collisions injuring pedestrians and bicyclists," writes transportation reporter, Michael Cabanatuan, for the San Francisco Chronicle.
While the restriction will enhance bus and streetcar traffic by removing autos and trucks from this congested stretch of Market Street, it is considered "(a)n ancillary benefit," notes Cabanatuan. Think of the restrictions as part of the city's Vision Zero implementation, reducing traffic deaths to zero by 2024.
As noted in June, because taxis, unlike Ubers, are not considered private vehicles, they will retain turning privileges. Other vehicles will have to cross Market Street at the intersections as opposed to turn into it.
The turn restrictions could be a harbinger of a redesign of Market Street to further increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists, depending on the outcome of Better Market Street planning decisions. Options "could eliminate cars, or widen sidewalks, or install protected bike lanes," writes Cabanatuan. "Decisions are unlikely for at least a couple of years, and the final design is probably three to four years away — at least."
"Beginning Tuesday morning, Aug. 11, the turn restrictions will be enforced, and violators may be ticketed," according to a notice on the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) website.
FULL STORY: Turns onto Market Street by private cars barred starting Tuesday
Construction Begins Raising San Francisco Bike Lane
A small section of the well-used, protected bike lane on San Francisco's busy Market Street will be raised just a few inches to increase bicycle safety. Construction began Monday and should take a month to complete.
Uber Vehicles are Not Taxis, Even When They Want To Be
A June 16 vote by the San Francisco MTA to improve safety will allow taxis, along with bicycles and Muni buses, but not ride-hailing services to make turns onto the downtown's main thoroughfare, Market Street, has upset San Francisco-based Uber.
San Francisco to Prohibit Cars From Turning Onto Market Street
The Safer Market Street project is one of a package of traffic safety projects underway in San Francisco to achieve a Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic deaths by 2024.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service