The Stroad (strongtowns.org)

Article summary

The article discusses the concept of a 'stroad', a street/road hybrid that is neither a good road nor a good street, and argues that it is financially unproductive and dangerous. The author suggests that roads and streets have different functions, with roads connecting productive places and streets serving as a platform for building wealth. The article proposes that stroads should be converted into either productive streets or roads to improve safety and financial productivity. This can be achieved by retrofitting local transportation systems to prioritize either high-speed vehicular travel or pedestrian-friendly environments.

Main themes

• urban planning
• traffic safety
• road design
• financial productivity
• pedestrian-friendly environments
• high-speed vehicular travel

What commenters say

• Some commenters argue that the concept of stroads is analogous to trying to use a single device for multiple purposes, such as using a desktop computer for both supercomputing and smartphone tasks.
• Others disagree, suggesting that the analogy is flawed and that stroads can serve a purpose in certain situations.
• Many commenters agree that stroads are dangerous and inefficient, and that separating traffic into different speed categories would improve safety and productivity.
• Some argue that the problem is not the existence of stroads, but rather the lack of clear purpose and design in building them.
• A few commenters note that the concept of 'Vision Zero' is often used as a slogan, but not always backed up by effective action to reduce traffic deaths.
• There is disagreement about the effectiveness of 'Vision Zero' policies in reducing traffic deaths, with some citing examples of cities where deaths have increased despite the policy.
• Some commenters suggest that the key to improving safety is to design roads and streets with clear purposes, such as prioritizing pedestrian safety or high-speed vehicular travel.
• Others argue that the issue is not just about design, but also about enforcement and cultural attitudes towards traffic safety.