City streets would be safer if their lane widths were reduced, according to a recent study. The standard today in most U.S. cities is 12-foot-wide lanes. A paper to be presented at the Canadian Institute of Traffic Engineers annual conference by Dewan Masud Karim presents hard evidence that these lanes increase the safety risk on city streets when compared to those at about 10.5 feet in width.
Karim’s review of existing research and an examination of crash databases in Tokyo and Toronto took into consideration 260 randomly selected intersections in the two cities. He found that collision rates escalate as lane widths exceed about 10.5 feet. Roads with lanes that are 12 feet or wider were associated with greater crash rates and higher impact speeds.
Advertisement
Related Stories
Codes + Standards
Public Comment Period Opens for 2024 National Green Building Standard Update
The 45-day public comment period opened Aug. 18, and comments must be submitted by Oct. 2, 2023
Codes + Standards
The Inefficiencies of the Latest Energy Code
The 2021 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) hampers the return on investment for builders and homebuyers
Energy Efficiency
New RESNET Label Provides Home Energy-Efficiency Ratings and Certifications Info
A one-page, consumer-friendly label is now available for all homes in the RESNET Registry