United States Department of Transportation
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COVID-19 Streets: Evaluating the Impacts of Rapid Rollouts of Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
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2023-08-31
[PDF-1.17 MB]
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Edition:Final Report (October 2021 – August 2023)
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Abstract:This study analyzed the impacts of rapid-rollout shared streets programs implemented in response to changes in travel demand brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Shared streets are those that have been converted to pedestrian- and bicycle-priority zones using temporary materials, typically involving some sort of traffic calming or diversion. The research sought to understand the impacts of these shared streets on pedestrians and cyclists, with respect to safety, equity, and mobility by (1) comparing pedestrian and bicycle traffic volumes in nine treatment cities—cities that implemented robust shared streets programs during and because of the pandemic—and seven peer control cities, and (2) exploring the motivations, planning processes, and outcomes of shared streets in the treatment cities. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic volume data analysis did not support the hypothesis that shared streets were associated with increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic compared to pre-pandemic patterns. Travel patterns shifted from commute-oriented to recreation-oriented, but effects were stronger in control cities more than treatment cities. Volumes increased near pre-pandemic recreation sites and decreased near commute sites, but again with stronger effects in control cities. Sites near shared streets saw greater decreases, suggesting contextual factors influenced volumes more than shared streets. The lack of evidence that shared streets influenced pedestrian and bicycle traffic may also reflect limitations of existing count programs for rapid interventions during crises.
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