Recent Streetsblog USA posts about Seattle

In Philadelphia, crashes declined 24 percent after stop signs replaced signals at 200 intersections. Image: Google Street View

To Make Streets Safer, Seattle May Get Rid of Traffic Signals

By Angie Schmitt | Feb 9, 2017 | 31 Comments

Signalized intersections carry special risks. Drivers often accelerate during the yellow phase to "beat the light," for instance, leading to high-speed crashes. Federal officials warn that improperly placed signals can "significantly increase collisions." So Seattle is reviewing 10 intersections to see if traffic signals should be replaced with stop signs.

The scene at SeaTac airport Saturday, where police briefly interrupted transit service. Photo: Browngoetz via Twitter

Police Tried to Cut Off Transit Access to Airport Protests

By Angie Schmitt | Jan 31, 2017 | 28 Comments

Thousands of protesters were pouring into American airports Saturday in response to Donald Trump's refugee ban, when suddenly light rail service skipped the Seattle-Tacoma airport. The incident raises serious questions about who controls access to transit.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said the city won't be "bullied" by the Trump administration. Photo: The Urbanist

Mayors Stand Up to Trump’s Executive Order on Sanctuary Cities

By Angie Schmitt | Jan 26, 2017 | 3 Comments

With an executive order yesterday, Donald Trump followed through on his threat to punish cities where local police do not report undocumented immigrants. Funds for transportation, housing, and other programs may (or may not) be at stake, but mayors of sanctuary cities around the country made it clear they are not backing down.

The Case for a Tax on Parking Lots

By Angie Schmitt | Jan 18, 2017 | 21 Comments

Parking lots make cities less walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly. They crowd out space for housing. But with a parking lot tax, incentives change and using parking as a placeholder becomes a lot less attractive.

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