Road Diets: Improve safety, add walkability & bikability, encourage investment by slimming roads | Dan Burden

Headlines are quick hits from media outlets from Missouri and around the world. Follow the headline link for the full story. The source of this headline says:

Nationwide, engineers are putting roads on "diets," helping them lose lanes and width. In the process formerly ìfatî streets often become leaner, safer, and more efficient. They become multi-modal and more productive. In many cases these former "warrior" roadways are tamed and turned into "angels."

Often these changed roads set the stage for millions or mega-millions of dollars in new commercial and residential development. The change can increase value of existing properties. In some cases costs of reconstructing roadways are repaid in as
little as one year through increased sales tax or property tax
revenue.

Roadway conversions discussed here may be just the ticket to start remaking unhealthy, unsafe city neighborhoods or commercial districts and turn them into more robust, vital, economically sound places. Road conversion may be undertaken to create safer, more efficient ways to provide access and mobility for pedestrians, bicycle riders and transit users, as well as motorists.

They improve livability and quality of life for residents and shoppers. Just as with human diets, road diets without doctors' (transportation planners and engineers) analyses and prescriptions, might be foolhardy.

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Road Diets: Improve safety, add walkability & bikability, encourage investment by slimming roads | Dan Burden