December 2023

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Houston is leading the way to make our streets safer. Instead of Level of Service which only recognizes the number of cars through an intersection, we'll now use Multimodal Service Standards which includes all ways people travel. Check out the newly updated Chapter 15 of the Infrastructure Design Manual for more details bit.ly/3R5zmFp.

On November 29, 2023, Houston City Council approved an amendment to Chapter 33 of the City Code of Ordinances to authorize the Planning and Development Department to establish a Citywide Truck Route Plan to guide truck movement in the city. This involves setting objective criteria to designate specific roadways as truck routes and establishing procedures to manage and update the plan. The ordinance aims to enhance safety for people walking, biking, and driving in Houston, reduce noise and air pollution in residential areas, minimize maintenance costs on roadways not designed for heavy truck traffic, and promote economic vitality in the city. Learn more about the plan on our engagement site, https://www.letstalkhouston.org/truck-route-plan

City Hall's Hermann Square glowed with somber candlelight on November 19 for World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The event brought together families of crash victims, street and traffic safety organizations, community members, elected officials, and advocates. Participants heard testimonies of lives cut short by crashes, learned about road safety measures in progress, and collectively pledged to adopt safe behaviors to end traffic deaths.

Crashes, fatalities and serious injuries decreased on Houston streets in 2022 for the first time since the Vision Zero Houston Plan was released in 2020, according to the Vision Zero 2022 Annual Report.

In 2002, 324 people died in crashes on Houston streets, and 1,592 were seriously injured. So far in 2023, the downward trend in overall traffic fatalities across all modes of transportation is holding steady, with 30 fewer deaths in the first nine months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The results of these completed and ongoing actions are clear: safer streets for all Houstonians.

Through the Vision Zero Program, the City of Houston is designing and building roadways, sidewalks, and bikeways and setting policies to ensure safe mobility for all. In 2022 Citywide safety improvements included 6 miles of sidewalks, 214 new accessible curb ramps and 20 miles of bikeways.

Learn more about Vision Zero Houston and engage with us at https://www.letstalkhouston.org/vision-zero

Houston City Council approved changes setting parameters for narrow lot development near schools and in Complete Communities as part of the Livable Places initiative. See these restricted areas by clicking on the Houston map viewer https://bit.ly/3MTCtPw.The green lines indicate where the subdivision must meet the new requirements. Watch this video for help navigating the map.

Visit the Permitting Center website https://bit.ly/3NC1QWt.