• The impact of highway removal on cities

    A new report by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy examines the highways-to-boulevards trend and how this will impact cities in coming years.
    With the Interstate Highway System in its seventh decade, some of the biggest highway projects involve deconstruction, according to a new report from The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “Cities and states are trading highways for boulevards and connected streets...Read more

  • 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