Austin traffic pilot program targeting left-turn crashes at 16 spots

A new pilot from the City of Austin's Vision Zero program is targeting safety risks associated with left-turn crashes.

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AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new pilot from the City of Austin's Vision Zero program is targeting safety risks associated with left-turn crashes. The pilot outlines "left-turn calming treatments" planned at 16 intersections citywide, in an effort to help protect pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and other roadway users.

Vision Zero is a city initiative to minimize traffic-related deaths.

Vision Zero data found there were 215 crashes involving left-turning vehicles and pedestrians from 2019 to 2023, representing 13% of total pedestrian-involved crashes, per an Austin Mobility newsletter. Of those 215 crashes, 70% resulted in a pedestrian having minor or serious injuries; one lead to a pedestrian dying.

Treatment options utilized are intended to help slow down turning vehicles and minimize the number of center line crossings, per the newsletter. During a March 28 presentation to the Austin Mobility Committee, Vision Zero staff highlighted a collaboration with the city's signal engineers to try and address top-risk locations for left-turn crashes.

From data gathered, converting those intersections to flashing yellow arrows or protected left turns have substantial safety benefits, program leaders noted.

"Working with our signal engineers, we've implemented over 70 of these treatments across the city, and some of the early results we're seeing are a 70% reduction in these specific kinds of crashes and a 50% reduction in injuries and fatal crashes overall," said Joel Meyer, acting transportation safety officer with Vision Zero. "And I think the significant thing here is these are low-cost things that we can do all over the city and that we are ramping up."

The intersections included in the pilot are:

• Fifth Street & Rio Grande Street (treatment completed)
• Fifth Street & San Antonio Street (treatment completed)
• Fifth Street & Brazos Street (treatment completed)
• Fifth Street & San Jacinto Boulevard
• Fifth Street & Trinity Street
• Fifth Street & Neches Street
• Fifth Street & Red River Street
• Barton Springs Road & Dawson Road (treatment completed)
• Susquehanna Lane & Manor Road (treatment completed)
• Oltorf Street & Wickersham Lane (treatment completed)
• Sheraton Avenue & South Congress Avenue
• Oltorf Street & Douglas Street
• Powell Circle & South First Street (treatment completed)
• Mesa Drive & Steck Avenue (treatment completed)
• St. Johns Avenue & North Lamar Boulevard
• Woodrow Avenue & West Anderson Lane

Half of those intersections have already received treatment, per the newsletter. Staff are poised to track intersection data post-installations to help inform future treatment opportunities elsewhere in the city.