Cities across the country are seeing one-way streets originally aimed towards vehicular efficiency being reverted to two-way streets for safety and pedestrian mobility.

 

A recent article by Associated Press mentions that one-way streets were implemented for their efficiency, allowing shift workers being dropped off at factories and commuters heading for a highway to drive through an area quickly. However, in areas where the factories have shut down or industrial business has been moved outside the central downtown, these streets have become dangerous due to racers that take advantage of the lack of traffic and pedestrians. Beyond safety, one-way streets have proven fatal for small businesses, as customers are less likely to stop when the street is seen merely as a road to their final destination rather than a place to linger.

The article highlights cities from Indiana to Texas to Florida who are making this switch, contributing to a growing number of design choices employed by cities across the nation aimed towards drawing people back into public places, invigorating the local economy, and making streets safe and accessible for all modes of transportation.

To read more, go to: https://apnews.com/article/one-way-streets-safety-indianapolis-louisville-lynchburg-6ca9c3610c44772665bc0de467d14c40