Go for a drive through Sweden and you’ll find some of the safest roads in the world. But that hasn’t stopped the small country from rolling out a plan to make its roads even safer. The goal of Sweden's Vision Zero Initiative is to eliminate the number of national road deaths and injuries.
Meanwhile, much of the United States is still trying to figure out what to do about a lot of its traffic and infrastructure issues. In Connecticut, Governor Dannel Malloy has proposed making changes like widening I-95. But some question whether that’s really the best way to improve traffic flow along the congested interstate.
This hour, we talk with the Vision Zero Initiative's project manager to find out how Sweden is improving its road systems, and see what we can learn from its approach to traffic safety. We also hear the story of one man's proposal to build a skating lane in Edmonton, Alberta. Dread your work commute? Why not strap on your blades and skate there?
GUESTS:
- Norm Garrick - Associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Connecticut
- Matts Belin - Project manager at the Vision Zero Academy, part of the Swedish Transport Administration
- Charles Marohn - President and co-founder of Strong Towns
- Matt Gibbs - Designer of the Edmonton Freezeway
John Dankosky and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.