Science Friday The Lack Of Science In Road Design Is Deadly
10 snips
Apr 21, 2025 
Wes Marshall, a civil engineering professor at the University of Colorado Denver and author of 'Killed By A Traffic Engineer,' dives into the critical flaws of current road design. He argues that traffic engineers have overlooked scientific evidence, contributing to thousands of fatalities each year. The discussion tackles outdated beliefs about road safety, including the misconception that wider roads are safer. Marshall also highlights the benefits of traffic calming circles and the urgent need for data-driven approaches to create safer, pedestrian-friendly streets.
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Traffic Engineering Lacks Science
- Many road design standards lack deep scientific foundation despite assumptions to the contrary.
- Traffic engineering manuals often perpetuate outdated concepts without strong evidence.
Wider Roads Not Always Safer
- Wider roads aren't always safer; original safety studies only covered narrow roads.
- Designs today often extend flawed old ideas beyond their applicable scope, risking safety.
Safety Not Top Priority in Design
- Safety is claimed as top priority in traffic design but often ranks below congestion and capacity goals.
- Roads with heavy engineering tend to have more severe injuries and deaths than pre-engineered roads.
