Skip to main content

Five Years of Data Show: Our Street Safety Projects are Making a Difference

Five Years of Data Show: Our Street Safety Projects are Making a Difference
By Julia Malmo

Ever wonder about the effectiveness of projects after they go into the ground? Us, too!  

That’s why, in 2017, we launched the Safe Streets Evaluation Program to help project teams understand whether a transportation safety project’s design is effective, and where there might be opportunities to adjust the design if not. Project evaluation data can also be combined across projects to help the SFMTA track the effectiveness of a certain type of safety improvement, which can in turn streamline the design of future projects. The Safe Streets Evaluation Program helps us work towards achieving Vision Zero, an initiative to prioritize street safety and eliminate traffic deaths in San Francisco.  

This week, we’re looking back on five years of data gathered through our Safe Streets Evaluation Program with the “2022 Safe Streets Evaluation Summary,” an interactive website summarizing the results of 18 bicycle, pedestrian and traffic safety projects implemented since 2017. 

Each of the 18 projects evaluated in the summary report added significant safety upgrades to the streets. Some introduced vehicle travel lane removals (road diets), separated bikeways, separated bike signals, or left-turn traffic calming devices. Others brought general improvements for pedestrians at intersections including pedestrian signal improvements, daylighting (red zones at intersections) and upgraded crosswalks. For every project, the SFMTA drew on a wide range of data—from project-specific observations, to police reports, to speed data—to create a comprehensive view into its’ effectiveness. 

An infographic displaying the project names, key design element, and results. In the lefthand column, under “Inventory” the following projects are listed: 7th Street, 8th Street, Folsom Streetscape, Golden Gate Avenue, Leavenworth Street, Turk Street, Central Embarcadero, Valencia Street, 6th Street, Safer Taylor Street, Indiana Street, California Street, Page Street, Fell Street, Polk Street, Second Street, Masonic Avenue, Left-Turn Safety. In the center column, under “toolbox,” the following elements are listed: Road lane reductions, separated bikeways, bike signals, pedestrian upgrades, left-turn traffic safety. In the righthand column, under “results”, the following findings are listed: Collisions decreased by 18%; 85th percentile speeds decreased by 3%; bicycle volumes increased up to 75%; vehicle-bike interactions at signals decreased by 93%; vehicles blocking the bike lane decreased by 90%; pedestrian-vehicle close calls decreased by 38%; vehicle travel time increased an average of 50 seconds for 7.3 miles of road lane reductions; left turn vehicle speeds decreased by 17%

The evaluation report indicates that the SFMTA’s safety tools are working together to create safer environments for all modes of transportation on city streets. 

You can dig into the whole set of outcomes on the website, but here are some highlights:  

  • Within the projects evaluated, annual collision rates decreased by 18%  

  • Bicycle-related collision rates decreased by 33% and pedestrian-related collision rates decreased by 32%   

  • Bicycle volumes on streets that received bicycle improvements increased up to 75% in the morning peak (8 AM to 10 AM) commute times, with similar growth in the afternoon/evening peak (4 PM to 6 PM) commute times.   

  • Thanks to protected bikeways, the rate of incidents of vehicles blocking the bike lane decreased by 90%.   

  • Close calls or near misses between pedestrians and drivers decreased across evaluated projects by 38%.  

  • Several projects in under-served communities such as the Bayview and Tenderloin are helping to address historic inequities and under-investment in these neighborhoods.   A table titled “Aggregate Project Findings Across Evaluated Projects”. At the top of the table, a blue bar lists out the column titles: Measure; Metric; Overall Findings; Capital Findings; Quick-Build Findings. In the Collisions section, the following sub-categories are evaluated. For Annual Collision Rate: Overall findings show an 18% reduction; Capital Findings show a 19% reduction; Quick-Build Findings show a 17% reduction. For Annual Bike-related collision rate: Overall findings show a 33% reduction; Capital findings show a 5% reduction; Quick-Build findings show a 42% reduction. For Annual Pedestrian Related Collision Rates: Overall findings show a 32% reduction; Capital findings show a 50% reduction; Quick-Build findings show a 26% reduction. In the Vehicle Speed section, the following sub-categories are evaluated. For 85th Percentile Speed: Overall findings show a 3% reduction; Capital findings show a 5% reduction, and Quick-Build Findings show a 3% reduction. For Max Speed Change Observed: Overall findings show a 20% reduction, and no data is present for either Capital Findings or Quick-Build Findings. For Vehicle Travel Time/Vehicle Travel Time in Seconds: Overall findings show 50.00; Capital Findings show 221.00; Quick-Build Findings show 21.50. For the Bike Volume section, the following sub-categories are evaluated. For AM Bike Volumes: Overall Findings show a 75% increase; Capital Findings show a 187% increase; Quick-Build findings show a 41% increase. For PM Bike Volumes: Overall Findings show a 72% increase; Capital Findings show a 107% increase; Quick-Build Findings show a 62% increase. In the Bike Signal Interactions and Close Calls section, the following sub-categories are evaluated. For Bike-Vehicle interactions: Overall findings show a 93% reduction; Capital findings show no data; Quick-Build findings show a 93% reduction. For Close Calls (near misses): Overall findings show a 62% reduction; Capital findings show no data; Quick-Build findings show a 62% reduction. For Average Daily Interactions Post-Implementation: Overall Findings show 2.2; Capital Findings show 0.3; Quick-Build Findings show 3.1. For Bike Compliance w/ Bike Signal: Overall findings show 87% compliance; Capital Findings show 86%; Quick-Build Findings show 88% compliance. For Vehicle Compliance w/ No Turn On Red: Overall findings show 90% compliance; Capital Findings show 86% compliance; Quick-Build findings show 92% compliance. In the Blocking the Bikeway section, Rates of Incidents was evaluated. Overall Findings show a 90% reduction; Capital Findings show a 19% reduction; Quick-Build Findings show a 90% reduction. In the Vehicle-Pedestrian Close Calls Section, Close Calls (near misses) were evaluatd. Overall Findings show a 38% reduction; capital findings show a 0% reduction; quick-build findings show a 34% reduction

The Safe Streets Evaluation team will continue to think creatively about how to build on the evaluation work and use it to inform our current and future projects, programs, and practices through developing a publicly accessible database of all Safe Streets Evaluation data and finding better ways to evaluate project outreach efforts. 

View the 2022 Safe Streets Evaluation Summary 

Learn more about the SFMTA Safe Streets Evaluation Program: SFMTA.com\safestreetsevaluation 

 



Published November 08, 2022 at 04:26AM
https://ift.tt/jcWqtYF

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

New top story from Time: Chris Paul on the Legacy of the NBA Strike, 1 Year Later

https://ift.tt/3jiooN4 Even before Aug. 26, 2020—the date, one year ago today, on which the sports world shut down in protest of violence against unarmed Black people—NBA players were having difficulty processing the shooting of Jacob Blake . The video of police in Kenosha, Wis. shooting and wounding Blake emerged during the NBA’s 2020 postseason while players were isolated at Walt Disney World in a COVID-19 “bubble.” The surreal August playoffs were taking place after the season had shut down in March because of the pandemic. “It was weighing heavy on a lot of guys,” says Chris Paul , who was the president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) for eight years before he stepped aside this summer. Paul told TIME in an interview this week that when George Floyd was murdered on May 25, 2020, he was home and could explain to his children Chris II and Camryn, then 11 and 8, what was unfolding on television. “Whereas when this situation happened, with Jacob Blake,...

New top story from Time: TIME Announces Changes to Editorial Leadership Structure To Further Subscriptions and Digital Transformation

https://ift.tt/3oMmwxb Time Editor-in-Chief and CEO Edward Felsenthal and Deputy Editor Sam Jacobs sent the following note to staff Monday. Dear all, It’s remarkable what we’ve been able to accomplish together while navigating the many global crises of this past year. In the face of tremendous challenges, professional and personal, your support for each other and the collective focus on the humanity of the stories we tell has helped move TIME forward. Our journalism has never been more relevant, from our coverage of the historic events of 2020 to the recent “Climate Is Everything” project, the launch of TIME Business and May’s powerful Equity project led by TIME’s BIPOC journalists. TIME100 Talks and our virtual summits have showcased memorable conversations and artists. In little more than a year, TIME Studios, in partnership with so many of you, has transformed from an idea to an industry force. The incredible work of this team as we pivot through the pandemic is tes...

IPL 2020 | Another high-scoring contest on the cards as Rajasthan Royals face Kings XI Punjab https://ift.tt/2RZ8eKl

The return of Jos Buttler is set to bolster the Rajasthan Royals batting order as they take on the Kings XI Punjab in Sharjah. The showdown has all the potential to be a high-scoring thriller, with big-hitting prowess in both the sides. While the Royals began their tournament with an impressive victory over the Chennai Super Kings, KXIP made a brilliant comeback after Super Over heartbreak in their opening match to beat RCB by 97 runs.

New top story from Time: Why It’s Crucial to Talk to Kids About Gender Pronouns

https://ift.tt/3fKr8kO It’s only been a week since Katherine Locke’s newest book was published, and they’ve already received messages from parents of trans and nonbinary children saying how much it spoke to them. The book, What Are Your Words? , tells the story of a kid named Ari, who is gender fluid and nonbinary and tries out different pronouns depending on how they feel on different days. Aimed at readers aged 4 to 8, the book follows Ari and his nonbinary uncle Lior as they try to figure out what words fit them. “I certainly didn’t grow up talking about pronouns that weren’t she/her, he/him, and I didn’t know how to have these conversations either,” says Locke, who released their first picture book last November and has previously written novels for young adults and adults. “It’s been really gratifying to see people embrace the book and its concepts.” [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] With colorful illustrations by Anne Passchier, the book emphasizes that pronouns are...

PM Modi launches Ayushman Bharat scheme to extend health insurance coverage to all J&K residents https://ift.tt/3hhpdmV

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the Ayushman Bharat scheme via video-conferencing to extend health insurance coverage to all residents of Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister's Office said the scheme will ensure universal health coverage, and focus on providing financial risk protection and ensuring quality and affordable essential health services to all individuals and communities.

New top story from Time: These Are the Best Fantasy TV Show Adaptations to Watch Now

https://ift.tt/3eQcVRN Netflix’s Shadow and Bone , which dropped on April 23, marks yet another hit fantasy book series getting inducted into the TV adaptation circuit—or rather, two series in one, as the new show creates one cohesive narrative out of storylines from Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy and the first book in her Six of Crows duology. The series, starring newcomers Jessie Mei Li, Archie Renaux and Freddy Carter, flies by over the course of eight episodes of magic, espionage, violence and romance—in other words, all of the necessary ingredients to satisfy a fantasy fan. The good news for fans is that TV adaptations of fantasy series have become essential television in recent years, with more en route. (Look out for Amazon’s future Lord of the Rings show.) While we wait for season two of Shadow and Bone , however, here are the best fantasy TV show adaptations you can watch right now. Game of Thrones It’s been 10 whole years since Game of Thrones p...

FOX NEWS: Top baby names list for 2021 reveals familiar trends For the second year in a row, these two names are the most popular for girls and boys – leading BabyCenter's Top 100 Baby Names list.

Top baby names list for 2021 reveals familiar trends For the second year in a row, these two names are the most popular for girls and boys – leading BabyCenter's Top 100 Baby Names list. via FOX NEWS https://ift.tt/gX7QsfJ

New top story from Time: Why India’s Most Populous State Just Passed a Law Inspired by an Anti-Muslim Conspiracy Theory

https://ift.tt/3pZtgYR India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh , introduced a law outlawing so-called “Love Jihad” on Tuesday, the first of at least five states led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that are considering new legislation targeting interfaith relationships in the world’s largest democracy. Love Jihad is a baseless conspiracy theory that Muslim men are attempting to surreptitiously shift India’s demographic balance by converting Hindu women to Islam through marriage. The narrative has been pushed by Hindu nationalist groups close to India’s ruling BJP since Prime Minister Narendra Modi was first elected in 2014. Since Modi came to power, his government has introduced several other measures that target India’s minority Muslim community. The conspiracy has received renewed attention after a Hindu woman in Haryana was murdered in October by a Muslim man who, her family said, had pressured her to convert and marry him. The new law was ...

New top story from Time: Despite Trump’s Attacks, Both Parties Are Vowing an Orderly Election

https://ift.tt/3hXVe29 WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses drew swift blowback Thursday from both parties in Congress, and lawmakers turned to unprecedented steps to ensure he can’t ignore the vote of the people. Amid the uproar, Trump said anew he’s not sure the election will be “honest.” Congressional leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, rejected Trump’s assertion that he’ll “see what happens” before agreeing to any election outcome. Many other lawmakers — including from Trump’s own Republican Party — vowed to make sure voters’ wishes are followed ahead of Inauguration Day in January. And some Democrats were taking action, including formally asking Trump’s defense secretary, homeland security adviser and attorney general to declare they’ll support the Nov. 3 results, whoever wins. Asked as he departed the White House for a campaign rally if the electio...

New top story from Time: Trump vs. Biden: Facing Off on Taming a ‘Rising China’

https://ift.tt/3n3S5l2 As President, Donald Trump has cast China as a global villain: a malevolent actor that all but launched a worldwide pandemic on an unsuspecting world, robbed Americans of their jobs and stole U.S. business secrets. He has made the Chinese Communist Party a catch-all enemy that pulls puppet-like strings to make international organizations like the World Health Organization work at cross-purposes with Washington, all charges Beijing vigorously denies. At the same time, Trump has presented himself to the world—and to U.S. voters—as the only person capable of pummeling Beijing into submission, chiefly through a landmark trade deal. Democrats, the President and his allies say, are the willing patsies who bow to Beijing, as when former Vice President-turned-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden sought closer ties to the growing superpower in his multiple visits there. “A rising China is a positive, positive development, not only for China but for Americ...