Date: June 1, 2018
Author(s): Dylan Jouliot
Abstract
A key piece of the Los Angeles Vision Zero plan involves installing so-called “road diets” on some of the city’s especially dangerous streets. This process involves removing through traffic lanes and adding turning and bike lanes to reduce collisions from vehicle turning and lane changes, to improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and to “calm” high-speed traffic by reducing vehicle speeds. These road diets have proven effective at improving safety outcomes in Los Angeles, but claims of increased congestion and terrible traffic along the reconfigured roads have prompted public outcry, recall campaigns and even lawsuits against the city. This study found the four road diet corridors examined showed an 8-percent increase in traffic volumes. Average daily traffic (ADT) counts across all four case studies increased from 15,333 vehicles pre-installation of their respective road diets to 16,597 vehicles after installation. Observations of traffic flow revealed very little delay or congestion at any of the representative intersections during peak travel times.
About the Project
This capstone project was completed in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Master of Urban & Regional Planning at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.