• New York City needs a ‘quiet streets network’

    While New York City is shut down, the city has an opportunity to work on long-term plans to make streets safer, quieter, and more pleasant for pedestrians and cyclists.
    During this time of low traffic, New York City can do more to make streets safer, quieter, and more pleasant for pedestrians and cyclists now and in the future, according to architect John Massengale. “During this COVID-19 crisis, we can act on ideas that are great for the long-term health of the...Read more

  • Which states are ready to reopen? State of Coronavirus in America

    In this third State of Coronavirus in America report, Public Square examines the widely divergent health impacts across the US to look at how soon individual states may reopen their economies according to the new federal guidelines.
    The nation has made great progress in “flattening the curve” of COVID-19 in the last month, and many parts of the US will soon begin a phased reopening of their economies according to federal guidelines announced on April 16. Phase 1 of the reopening will be based on infection rates observed by...Read more

  • Have coronavirus shutdowns prompted an epidemic of reckless driving?

    A pattern of more traffic deaths on less crowded roads may instead highlight an ongoing problem: Poorly designed urban thoroughfares.
    That Guy finally got his way. The one who weaves between lanes tailgating whichever driver he can intimidate the most, then revs the engine as he whizzes by just to cut you off: it's his world now. Reports from many cities indicate a surge in aggressive speeding, and with it, automobile crashes...Read more

  • Millions of small businesses at risk from COVID-19 crisis

    A shocking number of American small businesses, employing tens of millions of people, are at imminent risk of permanent closure if the crisis continues much longer, according to a survey of Main Street America.
    Nearly 7.5 million American small businesses are at risk of closing permanently if the coronavirus crisis lasts for five months, and 3.5 million are at risk of closure in 1-2 months, according to a nationwide survey of Main Street America (MSA). More than 5,850 small business owners responded to...Read more