Road Diet
Definition
Reducing number of traffic lanes (typically 4 lanes to 2 plus center turn lane) and reallocating space to bike lanes, sidewalks, parking, or landscaping. Counterintuitively improves safety while maintaining capacity. Proven traffic calming tool.
Louisville Context
Louisville has many oversized 4-lane roads with excess capacity, high speeds, and frequent crashes. Road diets transform these corridors: convert 4 lanes to 2 plus center turn lane, add protected bike lanes and wider sidewalks, improve crosswalks and visibility. Studies show: 20-50% crash reduction, minimal traffic impact, increased property values, safer speeds. Target corridors: Preston Street, Bardstown Road sections, portions of Dixie Highway.
Why It Matters
Four-lane roads encourage speeding and are deadly for pedestrians—long crossing distances and poor sight lines. Road diets calm traffic, add bike lanes and sidewalks, and dramatically improve safety while maintaining traffic flow. Louisville’s dangerous 4-lane corridors need road diets.
Dave’s Proposal
Implement road diets on oversized 4-lane corridors: convert to 2 lanes plus center turn lane, add protected bike lanes and wider sidewalks, improve crosswalks. Target high-crash corridors with excess capacity.