Road Diets

Road Diets

Road Diets is a transportation design strategy that involves reducing the number of travel lanes or the effective width of a road to achieve systemic improvements. This technique is typically applied to urban arterial roads with four or more lanes, converting them into three-lane cross-sections consisting of two through lanes and a center two-way left-turn lane. The reclaimed space is then reallocated for other uses, such as bicycle lanes, pedestrian refuge islands, transit stops, or parking. The primary objectives of Road Diets are to enhance safety, mobility, and access for all road users, including motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. By reducing the number of lanes, Road Diets can help calm traffic, reduce vehicle speeds, and minimize the risk of collisions. The center turn lane provides a dedicated space for turning movements, reducing the likelihood of rear-end and sideswipe crashes. Additionally, the extra space gained through the lane reduction allows for the implementation of bicycle lanes, wider sidewalks, or other pedestrian-friendly features, promoting active transportation and creating a more balanced and livable streetscape. Road Diets have been successfully implemented in various urban contexts across the United States and internationally, with studies demonstrating significant reductions in crash rates and improvements in overall road safety.

traffic calming, pedestrian safety, bicycle lanes, lane reduction, urban planning, transportation design, livable streets, complete streets

— Robert Anderson

CITATION : "Robert Anderson. 'Road Diets.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/road-diets?E=432925 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"