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FHWA Highway Safety Programs

Road Diet – Free Workshop

What are Road Diets?

Undivided roadways often experience a large number of crashes–especially between high-speed through traffic, left-turning vehicles, and other road users. One treatment for addressing this safety concern is a Road Diet, which typically involves removing or narrowing motor vehicle lanes and utilizing the space for other uses, including but not limited to a two-way left-turn lane (TWLTL), non-motorized travel modes, or parking.

Workshop Agenda

Part 1:

  • Why consider a Road Diet?
  • When to use a Road Diet?
  • How to design a Road Diet?

Part 2:

  • Evaluate a real-world Road Diet candidate project.
  • Document findings and make recommendations.

Workshop Time and Location

You Choose!

Contact hours: 6 - 8

 

For more information or to schedule a workshop please contact:

Rebecca Crowe
FHWA Office of Safety
202-507-3699
rebecca.crowe@dot.gov

In this example of a road diet, the before condition featured two through lanes in each direction separated by a double yellow line. In the after condition, the roadway features one through lane in each direction separated by a two-way left turn lane.
Example of a Road Diet

Road Diet Workshop

FHWA is pleased to offer a one-day workshop on this low-cost, proven safety countermeasure that explores how agencies can use Road Diets to improve safety, operations, and livability in their communities.Participants will be introduced to the FHWA Road Diet Informational Guide and guided through a decision-making process to determine when a Road Diet may be a good solution.

Who Should Attend

  • Transportation engineers and planners
  • Pedestrian & bicycle and Safe Routes to School program coordinators
  • Local police, fire, EMS and transit personnel
  • Community leaders

Workshop Learning Outcomes

  • Learn about the different types of Road Diets and why they work.
  • Understand the characteristics that make Road Diets the right choice.
  • Identify roads that are good candidates for Road Diets.
  • Learn what segment and intersection design elements are affected by a Road Diet.
  • Practice reallocating street space for other uses, including non-motorized user needs.

Why Choose a Road Diet?

  • Safety. Road Diets can make the roadway environment safer for all users. Studies indicate a 19 to 47 percent reduction in overall crashes when a Road Diet is installed.
  • Cost-efficiency. Road Diets make efficient use of a limited cross sectional area. When planned in conjunction with reconstruction or overlay projects, the safety and operational benefits of Road Diets can be achieved essentially for the cost of restriping the pavement.
  • Quality of Life. Road Diets can make shared spaces more livable and contribute to a community-focused, "Complete Streets" environment.


 

Two photos depicting a roadway before installation of a road diet and after installation. In the before condition, the roadway contains two through lanes in each direction separated by a yellow line and a parallel parking area on each side of the roadway. In the after condition, The roadway contains one through lane in each direction and a center median area created by yellow pavement markings to separate the traffic in each direction. Two wide parallel parking lanes on each side of the roadway have also been marked.
Example of a Road Diet on Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York