Making Cities Safer Through Speed Reduction Studies

For cities around the world, traffic safety remains a major concern, and Jacksonville, Florida, is no exception. The city features some of the fastest roadways in the United States, and according to Smart Growth America’s Dangerous by Design 2024 report, it averaged the 15th most pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 people. In addition, according to the League of American Bicyclists, Jacksonville averaged the third-most bicycle fatalities per 100,000 people. This is a result of roadways having a higher-than-average posted speed limit, favoring motorists instead of pedestrians.

To make its streets safer, the City of Jacksonville partnered with our planning team to undertake the 20 is Plenty Speed Reduction Study (20 is Plenty). 20 is Plenty showcases the power of community-driven action and visionary urban planning by identifying innovative solutions to improve safety and sustainability on city streets.

A Grassroots Movement to a Citywide Initiative

The origins of 20 is Plenty date back to 2021, when a grassroots neighborhood group took action to address growing concerns of speeding in their community.

Speed is a significant factor in both the frequency and severity of traffic collisions, with local roads most vulnerable to speed-related accidents. According to the Federal Highway Administration, reducing speed limits alone decreases the intensity and frequency of crashes. In addition, a 2011 report conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows lower speeds also dramatically increase the likelihood of pedestrians surviving an accident, with roughly 93% surviving a collision at 20 miles per hour compared to 75% when struck by a vehicle traveling 30 miles per hour.

Armed with this data and a desire for change, Jacksonville residents advocated for a 20 mile-per-hour speed limit on social media, posted 20 is Plenty yard signs along neighborhood streets, and collected petition signatures to present to the Jacksonville City Council. Their efforts got the attention of city council members, which provided the political backing to move forward with the study.

Vision Zero: A Bold Goal for Safer Streets

As residents were advocating for a citywide 20-mile-per-hour speed limit, the city was developing its Vision Zero strategy. Originally implemented in Sweden in the 1990s and now gaining momentum in the United States, Vision Zero is a global initiative aimed at eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all. Recognizing slower speeds not only protect people walking and biking but also create safer, more vibrant communities, major cities across America are lowering speed limits to 20 miles per hour in residential areas as part of broader Vision Zero initiatives. Jacksonville wanted to follow suit.

To gauge public support, our team worked with city officials to develop an online survey, which included five geodemographic questions, three Likert-scale questions and two open-ended questions about travel patterns and neighborhood safety concerns. We promoted the survey through web-based platforms and promotional postcards, and more than 2,500 residents responded. Findings confirmed public support for lower speed limits and safer streets, with 80% of respondents supporting a 20 mile-per-hour speed limit on all residential streets, and the majority identifying speeding as the most important pedestrian safety concern in neighborhoods.

Based on the results of the survey and the city’s Vision Zero goals, we ensured 20 is Plenty went beyond just lowering speed limits, instead focusing on a comprehensive approach to traffic safety that includes roadway upgrades such as narrowed lanes and improved crosswalks, enhanced signage and public awareness campaigns. 

Our Speed Reduction Roadmap

Building Safer Cities Together

By decreasing speed limits in residential neighborhoods and other high-traffic areas, Jacksonville is taking a significant step toward reducing the likelihood of fatal or severe crashes. Our roadmap for speed limit reduction provides the city with an action plan that can help lead to fewer traffic crashes and improve the quality of life for residents by reducing disruptions to daily commutes and healthcare costs associated with these accidents.

As cities across the world face growing challenges related to urbanization, traffic and safety, partnerships like this between our planning team and the City of Jacksonville are becoming increasingly important. 20 is Plenty demonstrates when local governments, communities and experts come together to create actionable plans enhancing road safety, reducing crashes and increasing quality of life, we can create real, lasting change.

We are committed to making cities safer by partnering with municipalities and communities to develop innovative solutions that work for everyone. Whether through speed reduction studies like 20 is Plenty, Vision Zero initiatives, or other urban planning efforts, our expertise is helping pave the way for safer, more connected cities benefiting all road users.

20 is Plenty serves as a model for other cities across the nation that want to make their streets safer and more inviting. It also highlights the importance of engaging communities in meaningful ways and ensuring their voices are heard during the planning process. 20 is Plenty won the 2024 Award of Excellence for Innovation in Planning for All Ages from the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association and was featured in the “Meet the Cities” program at NACTO’s Designing Cities 2024 conference.