#VisionZero

[atasingorneq]

Auch wenn ich ihn nicht persönlich sondern nur hier im Fediverse kannte, hat mich die Nachricht seines Todes doch ziemlich getroffen. Zumal er genau dadurch gestorben ist, was er jahrelang angeprangert hat. Die Untätigkeit und der Unwille von Polizei und Justiz, vergehen der Autofahrer angemessen zu ahnden habe letztendlich zu seinem Tod geführt.

Gestern ist der Fahrradaktivist und Blogger #Natenom bei einem schweren Verkehrsunfall getötet worden und aus diesem Grund treffen wir uns heute um 19 Uhr am Prellblockplatz auf der Veloroute 10.

#Autojustiz #Verkehrswende #VisionZero #Radfahrer #Fahrrad

[copsinbikelanes]

Seventeen years and two days ago, my friend Eric Ng was riding his bike when he was hit and killed by a drunk driver. Rest in peace, Eric.

[thecityboy]

A Rant: No Turn on Red (NoTOR) State Pre-Emption

TLDR: The State of Indiana has continuously targeted Indianapolis with state pre-emption policies, especially around transportation. No Turn on Red Policies are good when implemented correctly. This policy will have adverse impacts on living breathing humans as well as society as a whole. Hopefully this will push Indy to implement for significant solutions to solving the pedestrian crash crisis in the city.

Indiana Got Me Big Mad

Today, I had a two-hour period of intense frustration and anger over the usual song and dance that happens here in Indianapolis. To my dismay, I discovered that a state senator had surreptitiously inserted an amendment into Indiana House Bill 1050. The main body of the bill has various legislative changes to policies around cars (defining "alternative fuel", changing vehicle tax policies, etc.). The offending Senate Amendment #5, displayed in big, bold letters:

"A CONSOLIDATED CITY MAY NOT ADOPT AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE INSTALLATION OF A SIGNPROHIBITNG A TURN DESCRIBED IN [reference to subsection defined earlier in the amendment that says drivers can turn right on a steady red]."

There are a few interesting things of note here:

The policy applies only to "Consolidated Cities". Indianapolis is (I believe) the only consolidated city in the state. This rule would not apply to any other jurisdiction.

This was a response by the senator to the Indianapolis City-County Council's proposal to post signs restricting right turn on red in Downtown Indy, specifically on roads that are designed to move cars quickly. This is a bare-bones pedestrian safety solution, and because the roads cross through downtown and near a major university campus (IUPUI), it's one of the few places in this city that has people walking around.

The State Senator that submitted this amendment is named Aaron Freeman, the representative from Indiana Senate District 32. This district comprises of the southeast corner of Indianapolis (arguably the most rural quadrant of the city) and parts of suburban Greenwood and unincorporated lands south of the city. It is one of, if not the most conservative part of Indianapolis, and (this is just my speculation) provides legitimacy for the State Legislature to impose conservative state pre-emption on a mostly Democrat-represented city. Is this a punishment for the city because of how they vote? Who can say.

Aaron has become something of a transportation villain here in Indy. Before his crusade to preserve the sanctity of the ability to turn right on red (only in Indianapolis), he has also consistently fought against one of IndyGo's proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line - the Blue Line. He has done this every legislative session since at least 2019. His main gripe? The Blue Line would have dedicated lanes, removing one or two lanes from the currently SEVEN lane-wide East Washington Street. Dedicated lanes are integral for BRT to operate effectively; transit is not rapid if it's sitting in traffic (generally). But dedicated lanes are Communism; they control the means of production of those lanes for the masses and removes them from the enjoyment of F-150-driving, red blooded, meat-eating, gun-toting traditional families. And for that reason, Aaron cannot allow this injustice to happen quietly. Thankfully for the urbanites of Indy, every strategy Aaron has tried so far has failed to be passed into law. Hopefully it stays that way.

This is not the first case of the State of Indiana pre-empting Indianapolis in a way that relates to transportation, safety, and the built environment. The state passed a ban on funding light rail projects in 2014. A couple sessions ago, they tried to take away zoning control from the City of Indianapolis and give the power to townships; for some reason the township governments still exist in Indiana even though their land is incorporated by a city. It's very dumb way to operate local government, and this was a very dumb proposal, which is why it wasn't adopted. The state has also pre-empted the city from creating its own gun laws, local minimum wage, rent control, paid sick leave requirements, and plastic bag fees.

There are more examples of the atrocious pre-emption Indiana has done, but I want to move onto why this made me so mad; what is No Turn on Red and why is it important?

NoTOR is the Bare Minimum

Not Turn on Red (NoTOR) is a traffic control method that restricts drivers from turning right at red lights. A lot of drivers may find this annoying, but it is an important, easy, and affordable way to reduce pedestrians being hit by cars turning right on red. According to a five-year study examining crashes in Downtown Indy, over half of pedestrian-related crashes were the result of vehicles not yielding to pedestrians at signalized intersections. source. Anecdotally, pedestrian crashes across Indy have continued to rise year-over-year for the past five years. It is truly a crisis.

There is a provision in the amendment that says a driver must stop at a steady red light for 120 seconds before turning right on red. Theoretically, this means drivers should be completely stopped for a period of time that would allow them to see someone crossing on their right. This is also an ignorant safeguard. You might as well tell people not to speed on the highway. Very few people follow this (even the Federal Highway Administration say so) and it is rarely enforced.

The reason so many pedestrians are struck by vehicles turning right on red is a combination of factors:

The design of the intersection. Larger curb radii can allow for cars to take turns faster; lack of crosswalk markings doesn't remind drivers to check for pedestrians; having stop bars too close to where pedestrians cross reduces the amount of time a driver has to look right while crossing.

Driver behavior. On top of a general increase in distracted driving, there is a documented increase in reckless driving from the pandemic, however pedestrian deaths had been increasing even before this. In addition to this recent development, FHWA outlined how drivers really behave when turning right on red: "Motorists are so intent on looking for traffic approaching on their left that they may not be alert to pedestrians on their right. In addition motorists usually pull up into the crosswalk to wait for a gap in traffic, blocking pedestrian crossing movements. In some instances, motorists simply do not come to a full stop."

Vehicles have become larger, placing drivers higher. This obstructs their view, especially of people that may be below their sight lines (like children and people in wheelchairs). It also extends their vehicle's hoods and their bodies, which can inadvertently hit pedestrians, especially on tight urban streets.

Lack of Enforcement. I will be the first to admit that traffic enforcement can be tricky; traffic stops can lead to tragedy very quickly. That being said, the response should not be just not enforcing traffic laws. Two options stand out in my mind: better training for officers around traffic stops and remote enforcement. In a 2021 survey of police analyzed by the Rand Corporation, 42% of responding officers said their department has never provided traffic stop training, and only 6% strongly agree that they have received adequate training for traffic stops involving noncompliant drivers. Remote enforcement is not without its flaws, and requires a deeper dive in another post. In short; red light cameras work as a safety improvement. They reduce more fatal crashes between both vehicles and pedestrians. They can also cause an increase rear-ending by more aggressive drivers and other less life-threatening crashes. But if we have to pick one method over another, we should pick the one where less people are killed or gravely injured. There are issues with equitable placement of cameras, as well as the matter of ticketing drivers for using a roadway in the manner it was designed, rather than what a sign says. If the design of a street network is oriented to the fast movement of vehicles instead of pedestrian safety, drivers are more likely to drive over the posted speed limit and turn right on red without stopping, because that's how the road was designed to be used. Red light cameras have been legislatively prohibited in seven states, and are de facto prohibited in Indiana. Have those entities repealed or prohibited them out of some sort of duty to the low-income drivers that could be adversely affected by remote enforcement? No, it's mostly because drivers complain about having to obey traffic laws to the letter and look at it as a cash grab for cities to generate income (which, honestly, could be partially true). However, repealing red light cameras has been shown to increase traffic deaths, and the selfishness and entitlement of drivers is entirely to blame for that.

Implementation

The Federal Highway Administration has a very helpful page on how to effectively implement NoTOR. Restricting right turns on red is implemented through installing signage, sometimes in combination with a Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI), which gives pedestrians a few-second head start to enter the crosswalk before vehicles are given a green light. This is a measure that reduces pedestrians being hit by vehicles that impatiently want to turn right on green. Siting NoTORs appropriately is important. FHWA explicitly says that they should be present in areas with high pedestrian activity (however it does not define what that threshold is, leaving the interpretation open to state and local DOTs). In the case of the Downtown Indianapolis proposal, these signs would have implemented NoTOR on arterial roadways with high traffic volumes in the most pedestrian active region in the city (if not the state). It is more than appropriate to implement this policy. Anecdotally, I have seen NoTOR work. I recently visited Philadelphia and spent pretty much all of my time in Center City, where NoTOR is implemented at almost every intersection. As a pedestrian, it made me feel far safer than I ever did walking around in Downtown Indy.

The Human Cost of NoTOR Prohibition

The prohibition of NoTOR has a devastating impact on human life, as evidenced by the research indicating an increase in serious injury and death when NoTOR is not restricted. But the human toll extends far beyond physical harm. Those who are seriously injured face an array of financial burdens, including medical debt, lost income, and potential job loss. The emotional trauma of a traffic accident can be just as damaging, leaving lasting effects on mental health and quality of life.

The human cost doesn't stop there; being seriously injured can mean being saddled with medical debt, missed work from recovery, losing a job because of recovery or inability to do the work required, loss of income, and permanent changes in health and quality of life. This is on top of the mental trauma of being seriously injured or losing a loved one to a traffic accident.

There were over 3,400 pedestrian deaths in the United States in 2022. In 2021, over 60,000 pedestrians were injured by drivers. Each one of these individuals had a life, a family, and a community that cared about them. Their sudden and violent deaths or injuries leave a permanent scar on the lives of those who knew and loved them. And yet, all of this suffering is caused by a refusal to inconvenience drivers for a few minutes. The State of Indiana and Aaron Freeman seem to place little value on the safety and well-being of pedestrians, prioritizing the convenience of drivers over the lives and health of their fellow citizens. The cost of this callous disregard for human life is simply too high to bear.

At least according to the State of Indiana and Aaron Freeman.

How to Get Around the NoTOR Ban

There are ways that the City of Indianapolis can get around the NoTOR Ban, and it is primarily through intersection and street design improvements.

There are soft infrastructure changes like setting back where cars stop with signs and paint, painting more visible crosswalks, painting street murals, and implementing Leading Pedestrian Intervals signal timing.

There are also hard infrastructure changes like reducing curb radii so drivers have to significantly slow down before turning right. Reducing roadway lanes or lane widths and implementing streetscape improvements like street trees have also been shown to subconsciously cause drives to drive slower because it increases their awareness of other vehicles and obstacles around them.

Zooming out to a network-level view, considerations should be given to more unique approaches to improving pedestrian safety. Implementing mid-block crossings can provide a safer crossing for pedestrians because it reduces the potential points of conflict; drivers won't be pre-occupied with looking left while turning right and pedestrians don't have to look over their shoulders when crossing. All they have to worry about is oncoming traffic. There should also be consideration given to completely eliminating private vehicle traffic entirely from certain portions of downtown.

Conclusion

Although the pre-emption legislation may be exasperating and expected to prolong the unsafe conditions in Indianapolis' busiest pedestrian zones, there is a possibility that it could prompt much-needed infrastructure improvements to enhance pedestrian safety. Over the last three decades, Indianapolis has made significant strides from its former downtown one-way traffic nightmare. However, there is still much more progress to be made in creating a more livable city, and this legislative decision might serve as a motivating force to achieve this goal.

[biketalkla]

2:33 on.soundcloud.com/gjUub Violence Reaction: A steep spike in Oakland, California car killings after the pandemic and the loss of the city's pandemic-era slow streets spurred the formation of The Traffic Violence Rapid Response Team. Seamus Garrity interviews George Spies and Carter Lavin, volunteers with the Team.

21:59 on.soundcloud.com/nW5By Lives Above All Else: Columbus, Ohio is on board for safer streets. Taylor Nichols interviews Maria Cantrell, Vision Zero Coordinator for Columbus, Ohio, Emma Kogge, Transportation Planner for the City, and Angie Shmitt, a transportation writer and planner based in Cleveland.

39:10 on.soundcloud.com/EjebM No Place Like Home: We look to places like the Netherlands for examples of safe biking infrastructure, but Inlander editor Nick Deshais has written an article that places Spokane, Washington among the great biking cities of the world. www.inlander.com/culture/the-futu…spokane-24647156 By Taylor Nichols.

Editing by Kevin Burton. Closing Song, "Bike," by Mal Webb. Interstitial music, "Just Moving," by Don Ward. Visit BikeTalk.org to be involved.

[originalgladiatorcollective]

Just a #reminder, #NYC: Don't use cannabis and drive - and you'd best be 21+. Reposted from @nyc_dot Enjoying #CannabisNYC? Remember that it is still unsafe & illegal to drive while consuming or under the influence. The usage of cannabis before or while driving can have a negative effect, including slowed reaction times, distorted perception & impaired coordination. #VisionZero https://www.instagram.com/p/CmxW00tpKnv/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[lways]

Driving Safe in Winter

Winter is here, and that means it's time to start thinking about how you're going to drive safely.

There are a few things you can do to make sure you're prepared for the season:

Check your tyres to make sure they have enough tread or make sure you have the correct tyres on for the weather. If they don't have enough thread, get them fixed ASAP!

Be careful of fog, ice, black ice and cold weather. Defrosting a car first is most important so that you have good visibility when driving. If you live in an area prone to extreme cold, make sure your car is properly winterized before heading out into the elements. Winter is the season of caution. Driving in the cold can be dangerous, and you need to be aware of all of the things that can go wrong when you're driving in winter weather.

The first thing that you should do before you start your car is defrost it. If you don't defrost your car before you drive, it will be difficult for you to see clearly and effectively control the vehicle.

The second thing to do is to check your tyres. Even though they don't seem like they would be an issue, if there are any cracks, holes in them or little to no thread, they could cause an accident because they will lose grip on slippery surfaces such as ice or snow.

Finally, make sure that your windshield wipers are working properly so that you can see clearly while driving in bad weather conditions like fog or rainstorms; this will also help prevent accidents from occurring due to poor visibility!

Winter is here, which means ice and snow are on their way.

Whether you're driving on a highway or just around town, winter driving can be dangerous. It's important to know what to watch out for and how to avoid accidents. Here are some tips:

-Be aware of foggy conditions. Fog can reduce visibility and make it harder to see other vehicles or pedestrians. Make sure you turn on your fog light especially your rear fog light. This is manually operated and does not come on automatically! Without it you increase your risks of being hit from behind as other drivers wont be able to see you in time and react quickly.

-If there is ice present on the road, be careful when braking. If your car skids, try not to swerve into oncoming traffic or off the side of the road; instead, straighten out by gently easing off the brakes and accelerating slowly until you regain control of your vehicle.

-If there is black ice present on the road, avoid sudden braking or acceleration by using gentle pressure on the accelerator pedal at all times during these conditions so that your tyres don't lose traction with the ground beneath them!

Driving in winter can be tricky, but it doesn't have to be.

So remember the tips for how you can drive safe in winter weather and stay out of trouble.

Defrost your car first thing in the morning. You want to make sure you have good visibility with ice and fog on the roads!

When driving on ice or black ice, slow down! Reduce your speed to keep a safer distance from other road users and allow you more time to react.

Turn your headlights on—it's easier for other drivers to see you when they're looking for lights rather than just white lines on the road.

Use your fog lights in heavy weather . Remember these need to be manually turned on . Do your part to be seen.

And if you find yourself stuck in a snowbank or other slippery situation? Don't panic! Stay calm, turn your hazard lights on and put your car handbrake on to secure the car. Call 112 or 999 so they can send someone out to help get you out safely.

[ubazone]

Another person in Kansas City was hit by a car. What is the city doing about pedestrian safety? - KCUR http://dlvr.it/SSw7ny

[mbta-unofficial]

Just an FYI, my partner used to work for the city of Boston, and they said they worked on VisionZero projects. So it should totally be possible to get a brick program in Boston

oh shit, please dm me. Like the brick thing is a meme (sort of, it could be guerrilla implemented very easily) but I’d love to chat about action options with someone who knows the lay of the land a little better

[autohasser]

Berlin | Geisterrad-Mahnwache in Lichtenberg

Am 31. Mai 2024 wurde ein 28-Jähriger auf seinem Fahrrad in Lichtenberg von einem Pkw erfasst. Er verstarb aufgrund seiner schweren Kopfverletzungen noch am Unfallort. Am 7. Juni erinnerten wir mit #VisionZero-Demo und Mahnwache an ihn. Continue reading Berlin | Geisterrad-Mahnwache in Lichtenberg

[welcome2thebronx]

Fatalities due to traffic violence continue to rise in The Bronx; 47 killed in first nine months of 2022

Traffic violence keeps rising in New York City with 188 people killed with The #Bronx accounting for 47 of those lives lost or 25% of the total thus far for 2022. #VisionZero

New data released today by Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets shows just how much deadlier city streets, particularly those in The Bronx, have become since before the pandemic due to traffic violence. Worst of all, The Bronx leads the five boroughs of New York City in such fatalities where one in four deaths have occurred on our borough’s streets resulting in the deaths of…

[bauerntanz]

Jelle (3)

Jelle (3) geht zum Kindergarten via @denkhausbremen

Ein erstaunliches Video lädt dazu ein, die Perspektive zu wechseln! "Unsere Straßen aus Sicht eines Kindes" zeigt den Blick von Jelle (3 Jahre) auf dem Weg zum Kindergarten. #Verkehrswende #VisionZero #KinderAufsRad #KidicalMass #Bremen https://t.co/ERGPlvJ238 pic.twitter.com/XQgTkec7Ux — denkhausbremen (@denkhausbremen) September 24, 2022

[new-layer-app]

Mixed Reality Simulator Enables True-To-Life Driving Training With the mixed reality simulator from the Viennese startup NXRT, actual vehicles can be used for simulation. It uses artificial intelligence to project the real environment onto a vehicle’s windshield. The virtual driving environment is superimposed via VR glasses. Control elements such as levers or switches also become visible and operable. This software platform enables the rapid and cost-effective creation of immersive simulation products. As a result, the NXRT provides automotive and railroad companies with an efficient solution to overcome automation-related challenges. This simulators can be used in vehicle development as well as in driver training and education. They can also be used in vehicle sales, allowing test drives to take place virtually in the dealership. In this, NXRT is guided by the goal of Vision Zero – reducing the fatality rate on rail and road to zero. 📱 Download the app by link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1559419724 ❤️ Join us on social networks: https://newlayer.ar-generation.com/unilink/ #metaverse #metaversenews #newlayerapp #augmentedreality #ar #3D #virtualreality #vr #xr #mr #mrsimulator #driving #visionzero

[berlinfahrradcity]

Auto-Sprache: Das Schönreden von Missetaten

Radfahrende fahren immer bei Rot und "erzwingen" Vorfahrt. Autofahrende "übersehen" ja nur mal was... #Fahrradalltag #VictimBlaming #Autoland #AutoSprache #Verkehr Auto-Sprache: Das Schönreden von Missetaten

Radfahrende fahren immer bei Rot und “erzwingen” Vorfahrt. Autofahrende “übersehen” ja nur mal was…

Gesprochen wird pro Auto

Wenn in Deutschland von Verkehr die Rede ist, ist immer Autoverkehr gemeint. So selten wie andere Verkehrsarten in den Medien vorkommen, so selten kommen sie dabei auch positiv weg:

Bei der Bahn werden immer die Verspätungen thematisiert und Radfahrende finden…

[mo-torious-mo-blog]

I’m listening to Ain't No Rest for the Wicked by Cage The Elephant on Pandora

[berverkehr]

Am 10.1.2020 um 22:27 ☎️110 mehrere Fahrzeuge auf benutzungspflichtigem Radweg im Haltestellenbereich vor Weidenweg 59, 10247 gemeldet. Ob die da morgen wohl auch noch stehen? #VisionZero passiert nicht von allein. #abschleppgruppe https://www.instagram.com/p/B7J41D2jhMW/?igshid=1ukhy4l2hgc6v

[cargobikecollective]

#mondaymotivations What would the world be like if... ...kids growing up now had more opportunities to own #cargobikes than cars? ...billionaires and powerful corporations #investincargobikes and #creategreenjobs #locally instead of space programs? ...politicians took more action to fulfill campaign promises instead of serving their own careers and protecting the #statusquo? #cargoway #climatestrike #madeinbrooklyn #buildlocal #visionzero #enough #bikenyc #messlife https://www.instagram.com/p/B3UPaJPFjga/?igshid=159xhbdzid2tx