Comparing Safety Outcomes and Overcoming Implementation Barriers for Street Redesign Projects

Project Description

There are a handful of innovative street redesign projects that have been implemented to improve street safety, but few have been evaluated to measure their impact on aspects such as activity levels, safety outcomes, economic benefits, as well as health, wellbeing, walking rates, safety, noise and economic development benefits. Furthermore, given the nature of the opposition that precedes the implementation of some projects, successfully implemented projects can also provide guidance towards how to overcome the challenges of building such projects. There are few studies that provide a full picture of what it takes to get the projects built, although unpopular at first. In fact, to our knowledge, no comprehensive framework exists for such an evaluation, especially at the community level. We have identified the following projects as candidates from different parts of the country that deserve further study via a comprehensive framework:

1. University Place, Bridgeport Way, WA

2. University Place, Grandview Drive, WA

3. Bird Rock, City of San Diego, CA

4. Encinitas, San Diego County, CA

Additional sites to be considered

5. Hamburg, NY

6. Hillsborough Street, Charlotte, NC, Pine Street

7. Tallahassee, Fl, Gaines Street

8. Albert Lea, MN

9. Muscatine, IA

Despite the promising intentions behind these initiatives, there remains a gap in empirical research analyzing the direct impacts of these improvements on street safety, community well-being, and economic vitality. We also need to understand what it takes to get projects built, even if they are unpopular at first. Such information is critical to evaluating these investments' effectiveness and guiding future planning, policy, and funding decisions. Specifically, there is a need to assess how these interventions affect safety outcomes and economic development benefits.