Safety

Public safety

'Health happens in neighborhoods, not doctors' offices'

The New York Times health columnist focuses on how deficient community designs can undermine people's well-being.

Shared space

The perception of risk makes people more alert, more accommodating, and more cautious. It's less expensive, too.

Temporary bulb-out

This Better Block temporary arrangement of potted plants in South Dallas helped alert people to the benefits of narrowing the pavement and making the roadways more accommodating to pedestrians.

Source: The Better Block

'Better Block': upgrading streets quickly and cheaply

With borrowed materials, volunteer labor, and little money, a group embarks on temporary but stimulating urban improvements.

Taking the streets message to Washington

CNU's booklet on sustainable street network principles strikes a chord during the Transportation Research Board annual conference.

Posted by Philip Langdon on 26 Jan 2012

In Washington and Milwaukee, HOPE VI reduced crime

A study of redevelopment finds that HOPE VI can improve safety not only in the rebuilt projects but in areas beyond their boundaries.

Transit stations reduce crime, study shows

A new report in the December issue of the Journal of Urban Affairs suggests that not only do transit stations fail to increase crime — they may even impede it.

Drunk? Safer to drive than walk, says economist

A disingenuous and wrongheaded story is aired on NPR.

NY traffic deaths hit historic low

"Neighborhood slow zones," bike lanes, and pedestrian crossing countdown signals have helped reduce fatalities to the lowest in a century.

Posted by Philip Langdon on 30 Dec 2011

New Haven road plan tarnishes the TIGER program

A Connecticut expressway replacement is likely to be US DOT's "largest source of embarrassment since Alaska's 'Bridge to Nowhere,'" warns John Norquist.