Balancing Safety, Speed, and Political Friction on City Streets

A stylist in Kansas City, Missouri, was starting her workday when a car crashed through the salon's window, coming to rest in the waiting area. Such incidents were frequent along 31st Street, prompting business owners to share photos of the damage caused by speeding vehicles on the four-lane road, which drivers used as a shortcut.

Property owner Ryan Ferrell noted that wide roads encourage speeding. When concrete barriers proved ineffective, Ferrell and other business leaders advocated for a "road diet" on the street. This strategy, involving lane reductions to calm traffic, has been implemented in numerous cities, despite resistance from some Republican governors and the Trump administration.

Federal transportation officials once praised road diets for reducing crashes, but recent guidelines from the administration express reservations about projects that reduce lane capacity. The U.S. Department of Transportation cited concerns about safety hazards associated with congestion, suggesting that forcing vehicles into more constrained spaces could lead to crashes.

Kansas City's 31st Street underwent a road diet in 2022, resulting in one lane in each direction, a shared turn lane, improved pedestrian crossings, and protected parking. Road diets are now a standard practice in Kansas City during repaving projects.

Bobby Evans, an urban planner, considers road diets a success, effectively reducing speed, crashes, and injuries. He describes the strategy as "environmental determinism," aiming to discourage excessive speed by altering the road's design.

Other cities have also reported safety improvements from road diets. Philadelphia saw a decrease in injury crashes, while Portland, Oregon, experienced a decline in speeding vehicles. However, some critics, like Jay Beeber of the National Motorists Association, argue that road diets merely shift traffic to other roads.

Leah Shahum of the Vision Zero Network supports road diets, citing their cost-effectiveness and research backing. She expressed concern that the Trump administration's new guidance might discourage their use. The Trump administration cited concerns about delivery and emergency vehicles.

A study of first responders in Cedar Rapids found no significant impact on response times due to road diets. Cara Hamann, a co-author of the study, noted no major instances of emergency vehicles being delayed.

Skepticism towards road diets has grown in some states. Texas reclaimed a portion of Broadway Street, canceling a planned project that included lane reductions. Florida's governor signed a bill requiring a review process before lane eliminations. Culver City, California, reversed its road diet after traffic congestion increased. Some residents have sued cities over road diets, citing safety concerns.

Evans acknowledges that road diets cannot eliminate all reckless driving.