Staying grounded and mentally fit can be challenging these days. While some people turn to meditation or self-medication, a large and growing body of research points to a simpler solution: walkable neighborhoods and bike-friendly streets. Not only can they improve physical health, but they also offer meaningful benefits to our social and emotional well-being. As we’ve noted, extended periods driving can have the opposite effect.
Equity
Washington State’s new shared streets law could set an example for pedestrian-friendly design nationwide
Washington recently became the first state in the country to authorize “shared streets,” a shift that could reshape how people move in cities across the state and serve as a model nationwide. The measure gives walkers and bikers priority, slows vehicle traffic to 10 miles per hour, and removes jaywalking restrictions. Washington’s law, signed in April, is a major step toward safer, people-centered streets.
Connecticut DOT secures deal to limit project delays after years of collaboration
Earlier this month, the US Department of Transportation announced a “first of its kind” agreement between several federal agencies and the Connecticut DOT to speed up review for transportation projects. That agreement took years of relationship building with federal partners and other state agencies to complete, as well as adding specialized skills to the DOT’s staff over time.
15-minute cities don’t limit car use—they provide options
If cities want to reduce car dependency, it will take more than putting amenities closer together. New research from Japan reveals a persistent pattern: even when people live within a 15-minute walk of essential services, many still choose to drive. Without supportive conditions like higher residential density and safe, appealing infrastructure for pedestrians, people will continue to drive, even when everything they need is a short walk away.
New transit stations don’t have to mean gentrification or displacement
Major transit investments like new light rail lines or stations can transform neighborhoods and cities — in certain respects, that’s the point. The new infrastructure can make a city more vibrant and accessible to all, while encouraging the development of more walkable neighborhoods that make it easier to get around without a car, reduce emissions, and improve safety. But planners can take steps to ensure those benefits are shared among everyone, not just younger professionals or affluent newcomers.
Mobility hubs can increase access for disadvantaged groups
For DOTs looking to create a more connected and multimodal transportation network, mobility hubs are an emerging piece of infrastructure that can make changing modes and traveling across a region more convenient and environmentally friendly. But not everyone has the same ability to access and use these hubs. State DOTs looking to build mobility hubs can incorporate the needs, ideas, and feedback of disadvantaged groups to better plan, design, and build these spaces for everyone who might use them.
The scramble for larger vehicles is putting more Americans’ lives in danger
As vehicles grow ever larger in the United States, their “safety” benefits for drivers diminish while the danger for pedestrians and other drivers rises. From SUVs to oversized pickup trucks, the shift toward heftier cars has become normal for many drivers seeking a sense of security. But beyond a certain weight, these vehicles offer no extra safety to drivers and make the roads more hazardous for others. Removing just the heaviest vehicle fleet could save many lives on the road.
Climate change, equity factor into recent litigation against state DOT projects
Pursuing statewide or agency climate and equity goals isn’t just preferable for state DOTs, it can also be a matter of risk management. Several lawsuits targeting major transportation infrastructure projects, most recently in Wisconsin and Oregon, have taken aim at alleged failures to consider alternatives to capacity expansion that would reduce harm to the environment or inequitable project outcomes.
Many residents would prefer to pay for parking separately from rent
Parking reform advocates, backed by urban policy researchers, have long argued for “unbundling” the cost of parking from residential leases, rather than including it in the cost of rent. This is usually so that households with fewer cars don’t get stuck paying for parking they don’t need. According to new research, however, the policy is also popular among those with more cars than average, who would often happily pay for the extra spaces they need.
Pedestrian deaths often occur at “safe speeds”
Guest post by Chris McCahill, featured in Smart Growth America’s latest Dangerous by Design report. Read the full report here People in vehicles often die in high-speed crashes when speed limits are being ignored. Pedestrian …