Road Safety

Pedestrians crossing a busy crosswalk on New York City street with tall buildings in background

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.

July 31, 2024 - Patch

Philadelphia Bike Lane

Philly Road Safety Advocates Call for Action From the City

Mayor Parker’s administration is proposing massive cuts to the city’s Vision Zero program while pedestrian and cyclist deaths remain high.

July 29, 2024 - Billy Penn

Bike lane marked with white paint on asphalt street.

Zeroing in on California’s Incomplete Streets

A report highlights the lack of enforcement of Caltrans’ Complete Streets policy in projects around the state.

July 24, 2024 - Streetsblog California

25 mph speed limit sign with "Your Speed" digital sign above it.

Survey Indicates Strong Support for Anti-Speeding Tech

More than half of drivers would be comfortable with speed-limiting technology or audio and visual signals warning them they’ve gone over the speed limit.

July 24, 2024 - GovTech

Intersection in Pittsburgh, PA with pedestrian bumpouts and delineators.

Pittsburgh Improves Road Safety With ‘Quick-Build’ Solutions

The city’s efforts to reduce crashes through traffic calming and crosswalk improvements is yielding positive results.

July 24, 2024 - Pittsburgh Union Progress

Group of people and kids biking through small roundabout in Long Beach, California.

Long Beach Has Installed Nearly 100 Traffic Circles

They range from large traffic circles that reduce congestion to small neighborhood roundabouts designed to slow local traffic.

July 16, 2024 - Streetsblog LA

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

Freeway interchange with traffic in Austin, Texas.

Report: Vision Zero Saving Lives in Austin

Safety improvements at major intersections led to a 22 percent reduction in deaths and severe injuries and saved the city over $28 million.

July 11, 2024 - Community Impact Newspaper

Aerial view of downtown Spokane, Washington.

Spokane City Council Calls for ‘Safe Streets Now!’

The Washington city approved a resolution aimed at improving pedestrian safety.

July 10, 2024 - Longview News Journal

Close-up of white 20 kph speed limit sign in Europe with cartoon turtle and '20 is plenty' sticker underneath.

EU Speed Limiter Law Kicks In

All new cars sold in Europe and Northern Ireland will include speed limiting tech, among other new safety features.

July 10, 2024 - The Guardian

Aerial view of freeways and downtown Houston skyline

Houston Residents Respond to Mobility Questions

What could the city look like if budget and bureaucracy were no object?

July 9, 2024 - Houston Public Media

View of three-lane Roosevelt Boulevard with green Roosevelt Expressway road sign in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia’s Speed Cameras Are Working

Speeding violations plummeted after automated enforcement cameras were installed along Roosevelt Boulevard.

July 9, 2024 - Next City

White water tower with KYLE text against blue sky with white clouds.

Austin Suburb Launches Walkability Study

Kyle, Texas is developing a Sidewalks Master Plan to improve walking facilities.

July 8, 2024 - Hoodline

Traffic light with blurred cars and streetcar in background.

Applying the New Traffic Safety Paradigm

The new traffic safety paradigm recognizes exposure — total vehicle travel — as a risk factor, and therefore the additional casualties caused by planning decisions that induce more driving, and the safety benefits of VMT reductions.

July 5, 2024 - Todd Litman

Aerial view of Spokane, Washington with river in foreground.

Spokane Launches Safe Streets Initiative

The Washington city received a $9.6 million federal grant to fund quick-build traffic calming and bike and pedestrian infrastructure projects.

July 3, 2024 - KREM

Blurred pedestrians walkingon NYC sidewalk with blurred yellow cab in background.

NYC Officials Split on Jaywalking Decriminalization

While some council members say the ‘outdated’ practice disproportionately impacts Black and Latino residents, law enforcement officials say its a necessary measure for road safety.

June 30, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

Wide, busy street with red bus lane in downtown Baltimore, Maryland.

Maryland Partners with Smart Growth America on Road Safety

Three summer test projects will inform the state’s actions on Complete Streets policies.

June 25, 2024 - The Baltimore Banner

Large black SYV driving down city street with blurred background.

GAO to Investigate How Vehicle Design Impacts Safety

A lax set of rules around vehicle size, height, and other factors is partly responsible for the alarming rise in pedestrian deaths in the United States.

June 17, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

"No right turn on red" and "Turning vehicles yield to pedestrians" sign.

The Tide is Turning on Right Turns on Red

The policy, which stems from the gas embargo of the 1970s, makes intersections more dangerous for pedestrians.

June 14, 2024 - NPR

Bike lane protected by plastic delineators on street in downtown Baltimore, Maryland.

Maryland Issues New Complete Streets Policy

Projects on roadways maintained by the state DOT will have to comply with Complete Streets requirements as part of a broader effort to reduce traffic deaths in the state.

June 14, 2024 - The Baynet

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.

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.