Completing Rural Highways: Making the case in Massachusetts and Washington
State DOTs in Massachusetts and Washington used new tools and strong communication to make the case for Complete Streets projects.
Transportation
Completing Rural Highways: Making the case
Gaining widespread support for Complete Streets projects can be a challenge. Agencies sometimes face resistance from within or they face opposition from local businesses and community members. Smart Growth America and the State Smart Transportation Initiative worked with practitioners to identify obstacles to making the case for Complete Streets and illustrate how their peers have found ways to overcome them.
New video: Aging in place with Complete Streets
A common misconception about investments that support walking, biking, rolling, and public transit is that the demand for these initiatives is limited to urban communities. Our new video, made in partnership with AARP, tells the story of Saco, Maine and how they’ve created greater connectivity for residents of all ages in Saco. Complete Streets create … Continued
New video: Complete Streets for small towns
Long car trips don’t have to be a part of daily life for small towns and rural communities. Complete Streets are a vital tool for ensuring that rural residents of all ages can get where they need to go safely, efficiently, and affordably—without having to rely on a car. In our new video, created in … Continued
Champion Spotlight: Fort Smith, AR
This case study was written as part of our Dangerous by Design Technical Assistance program. This initiative brought together champions from across the country to advance street safety efforts through data collection and storytelling. This study was written by Reese Brewer, Director of the Frontier Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). 26 people died while walking in the Fort … Continued
Champion Spotlight: Huntsville, AL
This case study was written as part of our Dangerous by Design Technical Assistance program. This initiative brought together champions from across the country to advance street safety efforts through data collection and storytelling. This study was written by Larry Mason, Executive Director of the Huntsville Urban Bike Share Co-op. U.S. Highway 431, known as the “Highway … Continued
Champion Spotlight: Tempe, AZ
This case study was written as part of our Dangerous by Design Technical Assistance program. This initiative brought together champions from across the country to advance street safety efforts through data collection and storytelling. This study was written by Hannah Moulton Belec from Tempe Bicycle Action Group. On March 29, 2024, a 15-year-old high school … Continued
Dangerous by Design 2024
A historic increase in pedestrian deaths from 2020 to 2021 shocked many, but this epidemic continues to get worse. In 2022, the most recent year with complete federal data, the number of people who were struck and killed while walking grew to 7,522, marking a 40-year high. This represents an astonishing 75 percent increase in … Continued
Pedestrian deaths often occur at “safe speeds”
Speed plays a drastically different role in pedestrian deaths than it does for drivers and their passengers. The most dangerous crashes for vehicle occupants are typically at much higher speeds and often involve speed limit violations. Pedestrians, however, face constant threats even on roads that are designed and posted at lower speeds, and when drivers … Continued
Designs for Change: Detroit, MI
Detroit, Michigan has made an effort to address dangerous street design and prioritize the safety of people walking. So far, the changes have been pulling off. Since 2018, the city has seen a 40 percent decrease in fatalities.