Bike, Ped, and Vehicle Traffic Safety getting a much bigger emphasis in CEQA

Traffic Engineering and analysis in California has been evolving with the advent of SB 743.   Safety has always been the primary focus of true Traffic Engineering, creating safe travel conditions for all modes of travel.  SB 743 in California has specific elements within this law that place more focus on traffic safety including:

(3) Local Safety.
In addition to a project’s effect on vehicle miles traveled, a lead agency may also consider localized effects of project-related transportation on safety.
​Examples of objective factors that may be relevant may include:

       (A) Increase exposure of bicyclists and pedestrians in vehicle conflict areas (i.e., remove pedestrian and bicycle facilities, increase roadway crossing times or distances, etc.).
       (B) Contribute to queuing on freeway off-ramps where queues extend onto the mainline.
       (C) Contribute to speed differentials of greater than 15 miles per hour between adjacent travel lanes.
       (D) Increase motor vehicle speeds.
       (E) Increase distance between pedestrian or bicycle crossings.

source: New Section 15064.3(b)(3) (preliminary OPR guidance for SB 743)

Staff at PRISM Engineering have decades of experience in preparing traffic and transportation plans with emphasis on traffic safety, utilizing guidance found in AASHTO publications, Highway Design Manual, MUTCD publications, etc., which focus on time-tested methods of design and implementation that enhance and improve safety.