In today’s modern world, the variety of vehicles on our city streets and suburban neighborhoods has expanded significantly. From e-scooters to city bikes, autonomous EV taxis to internal combustion SUVs, people now have a wide range of transportation options to choose from. However, accommodating these various modes of transport and ensuring that everyone, regardless of physical ability or financial means, can get to their destinations is becoming increasingly challenging.
Veronica O Davis, a civil engineer, addresses this issue in her book “Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Divided Communities”. She highlights the shortcomings of America’s transportation infrastructure, which has long prioritized personal vehicles at the expense of other modes of transport. Davis calls for a systemic revolution in transportation planning, advocating for better training for civil engineers, diverse voices in planning projects, and addressing the community-dividing consequences of past freeway construction.
One successful example of a new approach to transportation planning is Washington DC’s Vision Zero road safety program. Vision Zero, originally conceived in Sweden, recognizes that human error is inevitable but aims to prevent serious injuries and fatalities resulting from transportation accidents. However, it’s important to note that Vision Zero focuses on deaths and serious injuries, not the total number of crashes. This distinction is crucial because severe crashes tend to occur in specific communities, and allocating resources based solely on crash numbers may overlook areas with higher fatality rates.
DC’s Vision Zero plan stands out for its extensive community engagement during its development. The city held multiple meetings on street corners, a youth summit, and gatherings with various advocacy groups and city agencies. Rather than simply informing the public, the planners actively sought feedback and incorporated community input into the plan. For instance, after speaking with young Black teens at the youth summit, enforcement related to pedestrian and cyclist behavior was removed. The teens explained that crossing the street mid-block provided them with a sense of safety from potential harm, outweighing the risk of being struck by a vehicle.
Furthermore, the Vision Zero plan addressed concerns about the enforcement of laws related to walking and biking. Research by Charles T. Brown has shown that these laws are often disproportionately enforced in Black and Brown communities, primarily targeting men. In DC’s plan, enforcement efforts focused on dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, and reckless driving. This approach aimed to avoid conflicts between the community and law enforcement while targeting the behaviors that pose the greatest risk to public safety.
Although DC’s Vision Zero plan showcased successful interactions with the community and addressed some equity concerns, there are still areas for improvement. Davis suggests that a comprehensive evaluation of all transportation laws should be conducted, removing any regulations that lack supporting data or fail to contribute to safer streets. Adopting a data-driven approach would ensure that laws focus on behaviors that lead to crashes resulting in serious injuries and fatalities.
Additionally, Davis emphasizes the need for a framework that allocates resources to communities experiencing high rates of fatalities and serious injuries. Often, these areas are populated by Black, Latino, or low-income residents. DC’s Vision Zero program faced challenges in distributing resources, with investment often going to areas with stronger advocacy rather than those in greatest need. Implementing a framework that considers the demographics and safety records of different communities would help prioritize resources effectively.
In conclusion, the expansion of transportation options has presented new challenges in accommodating diverse modes of transport while ensuring equal access for all individuals. Veronica O Davis’s book highlights the need for a systemic revolution in transportation planning, with a focus on better training, diverse voices, and addressing the community-dividing consequences of past infrastructure decisions. DC’s Vision Zero plan serves as a successful example, incorporating community engagement and addressing equity concerns. However, there is still room for improvement, particularly in evaluating and adjusting transportation laws and allocating resources to communities with high rates of fatalities and serious injuries.
