Urban Transportation Commission calls on city to narrow traffic lanes - Austin Monitor
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The Urban Transportation Commission wants to see narrower Austin roads, and they have research to back the idea up. Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution recommending that the city adopt a 1- to 2-foot narrower standard for traffic lanes in many of the city’s larger streets and roads during the body’s regular meeting on July 1. […]

If you think this is a stupid idea, I suggest you write your council person.

  • SpawnStorm@lemmy.worldEnglish
    51·
    3 months ago

    This is a great idea. When people are nervous that they will drift from their lane, they are going to pay greater attention. People generally don’t want the hassle of getting their car fixed. The extra space can then be used to add armadillos to the bike lanes or dedicated bus lanes for improved mode capabilities.

    Road calming measures can really go a long way to reducing accidents, vehicle to vehicle, vehicle to pedestrian or vehicle with road obstruction. The only downside is going 5-10 mph slower. But on a per-person trip average that might be 2-5 minutes of time. Barely anything for the upsides listed above.

  • protist@mander.xyzEnglish
    1·
    3 months ago

    The actual title here is “Urban Transportation Commission calls on city to narrow traffic lanes,” my friend.

    It’s worth noting that recommendations by the Urban Transportation Commission are not binding on the city government, and any code changes that might come about as a result of the resolution would likely still take years to effect any transformation of Austin’s streets through the gradual process of road diets, scheduled re-pavings and re-paintings and small infrastructure projects. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.