ASLA Oregon

June 9, 2011 Edit

Dangerous by Design 2011 Report Released

Dangerous By Design 2011 Report Released
Take Action!

Streets Need Better Design!

Dear Advocates,
Recently, Transportation For America, a broad coalition of national, state, and local organizations that champion improving transportation options for all users, released the new report Dangerous By Design 2011, which documents how the poor design of America’s streets and roads has contributed to over 47,700 pedestrian deaths over the last decade. The report points out that “the majority of the these deaths occurred along “arterial” roadways that were engineered for speeding traffic with little or no provision for people on foot, in wheelchairs or on bicycles.”

To address the need for safer streets and roads, Complete Streets legislation has been introduced in Congress, H.R. 1780 and S. 1056. This legislation would call on states and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to consider the safety, interests, and convenience of all users, including drivers, bicyclists, transit users, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities, in the design and construction of federal transportation projects. This legislation would implement a federal Complete Streets policy that is flexible enough to accommodate all types of projects in all locations across the country.

Under the legislation, the Secretary of Transportation would work with the American Society of Landscape Architects, along with other allied organizations, in developing technical assistance and guidance for a national Complete Streets policy.

Please take a moment and “click” TAKE ACTION to use the ASLA-provided template to urge your legislators to join in supporting this important transportation policy. Take an additional moment to personalize your message with local projects and discuss whether there is a state or local policy in your area.

State and local Complete Streets policies are helping to save lives across the country. A national Complete Streets policy would ensure that all our nation’s right-of-ways are safe for all users. Take a moment to urge your legislators to support Complete Streets today!

For more on Complete Streets and ASLA Advocacy:
www.asla.org/advocacy