TRANSPORTATION UPDATES
Data shows vision Zero’s tra c safety e orts save lives New data shows that Vision Zero’s e orts to reduce tra c collisions at intersections are working with a 31% decrease in crashes causing serious injury and death in intersections since the Austin Transportation Department began work in 2016. E orts to make intersections safer At stop lights, crews adjusted clear- ance times for red and yellow lights and added ashing warning signs. Some of the updated intersections include those at Slaughter Lane and Menchaca Road and at South Congress Avenue and Oltorf Street. Vision Zero analyzed 13 of the 19 A new study looks at the safety outcome of intersection improvements started in 2016. SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS 19 intersections improved BY KATY MCAFEE 31% in serious crashes since 2016 DECREASE
COMPLETED PROJECT
RUNDBERG LN.
183
35
N
183 North ramp at I-35 Finishing touches on the U.S. 183 northbound ramp on I-35 were com- pleted Aug. 7 with a ribbon cutting for the entire project that saw the recon- struction of I-35 from Rundberg Lane to US 290 East planned for the fall. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the project included road reconstruction and the addition of three new yovers at US 183. The project also included intersection bypass lanes. Timeline: 2018-22 Cost: $124.2 million Funding source: Texas Clear Lanes Congestion Relief Fund
improved intersections at which it had at least one year of crash data. Results show that serious injuries and death decreased substantially among every category of safety improvement. Visions Zero’s report explains these results should be interpreted as “early, but promising.” While overall serious injuries, fatalities and collisions are all increas- ing from last year, Vision Zero o cials are taking small steps in the right direction, according to Le . “I think it’s going to take a di erent, maybe stronger, more transformative approach to the designs that we put out there for intersections [and] segments of road that had severe crashes,” Le said. “And being able
are particularly relevant as Vision Zero data shows over a third of tra c colli- sions between 2017 and 2021 occurred at signalized intersections. “Think of major intersections: high speeds, high volumes, a lot of con ict points. All of those are the conditions that lead toward a higher likelihood of severe injury or death and just high risk generally,” said Lewis Le , Vision Zero’s lead tra c safety o cer. Since 2016, ATD completed safety improvements on 19 separate intersections in Austin. ATD added green protective arrows and ashing yellow arrows for left-turners. Crews increased crosswalk visibility, bicycle signage and added bicycle detection.
Increased crosswalk visibility
Bicycle signage and added bicycle detection
Protective green or ashing yellow arrows for left turns
Adjusted stop light cycles and adding warning signals
SOURCE: AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
to really push that needle forward is going to take a lot of time and e ort and resources, but I think we’re on that track.”
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF AUG. 9. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT NWANEWS COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
Leading the way in spine care
You don’t have to wait any longer to find the right spine specialist. Getting back to your daily life can start with one call to book a consultation for our comprehensive spine program. Call today to schedule with our multidisciplinary network of experienced neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons who specialize in spine surgery, pain management and rehabilitation at Ascension Texas. We answer your questions and connect the dots to help you find the treatment options and a recovery plan that are right for you. Minimally invasive options are available.
Request an appointment online to find the spine care that is right for you. We also offer second opinions.
Call 512-324-BACK or find a doctor at ascension.org/TexasSpine
Ascension Texas © Ascension 2022. All rights reserved.
11
NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • AUGUST 2022
Powered by FlippingBook