Tag

Road Design

All articles tagged with #road design

transportation2 years ago•3 min saved

Rising Vehicle Sizes Drive Surge in Pedestrian Fatalities

According to new research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), vehicles with higher front ends and blunt profiles, such as SUVs and pickup trucks, are 45% more likely to cause fatalities in crashes with pedestrians compared to smaller cars and trucks. The study also found that vehicles with a hood height greater than 40 inches are more dangerous for pedestrians, and those with a blunt front profile are 26% more likely to cause pedestrian fatalities. The increase in pedestrian deaths is attributed to multiple factors, including the growing size of vehicles, road design, and higher speeds. Experts urge automakers to consider designing vehicles that prioritize the safety of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

via NPR|

#pedestrian-fatalities #pickup-trucks #road-design

transportation2 years ago•7 min saved

Dallas Traffic Deaths: High Speed Limits and Bad Road Designs Under Scrutiny

Experts and road safety advocates are questioning whether high speed limits and bad road designs contribute to the high number of traffic deaths in Dallas. They argue that Texas road design and speed limit rules encourage higher speeds and prioritize moving traffic fast over safety. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been criticized for designing roads to accommodate speeds higher than the posted limit, leading to a feeling of discomfort for drivers who follow the speed limit. Some safety advocates believe that the "85th percentile rule" used by TxDOT to set speed limits encourages engineers to raise the speed limit based on the fastest drivers, potentially resulting in unsafe speeds. The federal government has moved away from using this rule, and TxDOT has stated that they will incorporate other factors into determining speed limits. However, the process to change speed limits on state highways is frustrating and time-consuming, leaving dangerous roads unchanged and potentially leading to more deaths and injuries.

via NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth|

#dallas-traffic-deaths #road-design #road-safety

transportation2 years ago•6 min saved

"Pedestrian Safety: Tackling the Hazards of Unsafe Streets"

Pedestrian fatalities have been on the rise, with Philadelphia's Roosevelt Boulevard being one of the most dangerous streets in the city. The design of the boulevard, which allows cars to travel at high speeds, is a major factor contributing to the dangers faced by pedestrians. Nationwide, pedestrian deaths have reached a 40-year high, with racial disparities evident in the data. Experts argue that these deaths are preventable and call for safer road designs, lower speed limits, and improved pedestrian safety measures. Efforts are being made in cities like Indianapolis and Philadelphia to implement changes and reduce pedestrian fatalities.

via CBS News|

#pedestrian-safety #philadelphia #racial-disparities