A new report, Cities Safer by Design, from WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, offers guidance for designing safer streets and communities that can reduce traffic fatalities and improve people’s lives.
The report includes more than 30 specific urban design recommendations for urban planners and policymakers. It emphasizes two ways to improve traffic safety in cities. First, building and retrofitting urban environments to reduce the need for individual vehicle trips; and second, by reducing vehicle speeds in areas where cars, pedestrians, and cyclists mix.
The report focuses on improving infrastructure for pedestrians, bicycling, and mass transport. It includes examples from several cities including Tokyo, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Istanbul, New York City, and Paris.
Recommendations include:
- Smaller block sizes
- Frequent street connections
- Narrower streets
- Traffic calming measures such as speed humps, chicanes, curb extensions, raised pedestrian crossings
- Arterials and intersections that reduce conflicts between road users by providing clear crossings, medians, and refuge islands
- Pedestrian facilities ranging from pedestrian-only areas to basic, consistent sidewalks
- Bicycling networks that feature protected bicycle lanes and special attention to design at intersections
- Safety improvements around mass transport stations and corridors.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jun 6, 2017
New York City will require construction superintendents on buildings higher than three stories
New laws focus on construction safety.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Industry Groups move toward Unified Green Building Model Code in 2018
The effort involves combining ASHRAE's Standard 189.1 with the International Green Construction Code.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
OSHA suspends electronic injury, illness reporting requirement
The agency is keeping records from being publicly disclosed—for now.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Florida preparing to adjust to new building elevation requirements
New floodplain maps and state code changes loom.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Heated debate over whether Calif.’s prevailing wage requirement stymies affordable housing
There’s disagreement around how much pay regulations add to cost of projects.
Codes and Standards | May 25, 2017
Technology is influencing parking requirement codes in new developments
Uber and Lyft make it easier for urban dwellers to live without owning cars.
Codes and Standards | May 25, 2017
Better Buildings Challenge Partners on track to reduce energy usage by 20% in 10 years
More than 1,000 proven solutions are now available on DOE web site.
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2017
Affordable housing initiative drives surge in residential unit permits in New York City
New permits tripled from year-ago period.
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2017
Amid labor shortage, industry groups urge government action to boost trades
AGC says a shortage of qualified workers is limiting the economy from adding more jobs.
Codes and Standards | May 19, 2017
Spate of sinkhole incidents points to neglected infrastructure investment
Suddenly appearing caverns cause deaths, evacuations, interruption of utility services.