Multi-lane roundabouts introduce several types of crashes that are not possible at single-lane roundabouts. There are new design possibilities to increase safety for all road users.
Multimodal
ADA and other programs to protect vulnerable groups benefit everyone
July marked the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, prompting cities and organizations around the country both to celebrate the hard-fought local advocacy efforts that grew into a national movement and led to its passage, and to reflect on how far we still have to go.
What’s driving pedestrian deaths? Darkness, speed, wider roads and larger vehicles
Transportation agencies across the country are facing a surge in pedestrian deaths and trying to understand the root causes. A new study from the University of Wisconsin―Milwaukee pins down some key factors by looking not just at the 40 percent increase from 2009 to 2016, but at all 231,675 deaths since 1977.
Nimble transit planning needed during the pandemic, says TransitCenter analysis
Transit agencies have experienced steep bus ridership declines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Centerline hardening” protects pedestrian from left-turning vehicles
Left turns pose a significant danger to pedestrians, but a solution could be simple. A recent study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety indicates that “centerline hardening” features―like bollards and rubber curbs that prevent drivers from cutting across intersections at a diagonal―reduced turning speeds and decreased conflicts by 70 percent at sites around Washington, DC.
Despite unclear evidence around virus transmission, transit takes the greatest hit
Global cities have seen major decreases in mobility across all modes, but public transit fell the most and isn’t yet making a rebound. Though there is a great deal of fear around transit’s contribution to the spread of the virus, it remains unclear if it is a major contributor to infections.
Minneapolis transportation plan addresses climate, pandemic
The City of Minneapolis has released a draft of its Transportation Action Plan (TAP), as a companion to its 2040 Comprehensive Plan. In the latest ITE Journal, Transportation Planning Manager Kathleen Mayell outlines details of the plan, which sets out to respond to the declared climate emergency by prioritizing low-carbon means of transportation, while focusing on additional city goals.
“Dear diary, I took the bus today!” – Cost-efficient travel behavior influencers
“Soft” transportation policy measures can influence a significant reduction in personal car use, according to a new research. Six psychological variables that can affect travel behavior: attitudes; emotions; habits; social, cultural, and moral norms; knowledge and awareness ; and capability and self-efficacy. The results show that interventions that focus on social, cultural, and moral norms have the most significant effect on travel behavior.
Is bigger better?
New analysis of FARS data by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety points to crashes being more survivable for drivers of large SUVs than for drivers of smaller cars. While driver death is one measure of safety, there are a number of other criteria that offer a richer story of SUV safety, such as their contribution to emissions and increased dangers to those not inside the vehicle.
Post-COVID travel patterns—a survey by the MassINC Polling Group
In a recent public opinion survey conducted by the MassINC Polling Group, Massachusetts residents expected to travel less in the future due to COVID-19’s impact. However, many residents expect to increase their trips by car and decrease trips by transit. A majority of residents polled are open to the idea of drastic changes to the transportation system.