Metro Detroit and Job Sprawl

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The Brookings Institution released a new study that finds Metro Detroit the nation's most sprawled job market.  Approximately 77% of the region's jobs are located at least 10 miles from Detroit's Central Business District.  In general, Midwestern cities tended to have highly sprawled job markets, in part due to its dependence on manufacturing.  Cities in the nation's sunbelt had the least amount of job sprawl.

The study's findings are interesting and continue to make the case for connecting low income residents in urban neighborhoods to job opportunities in inner and outer ring suburbs.  See a recent article in the Detroit Free Press for a local take on the report; or visit the Brookings institution for an interactive map or the full report.

Ann Arbor Updates its Non-Motorized Plan

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The City of Ann Arbor recently released a draft update to its 2007 Non-motorized plan.  The city developed the update to evaluate implementation progress, and account for new needs and opportunities identified in the past six years.  Since adopting the 2007 plan, the city added 35 lane miles of bike lanes and 5.7 lane miles of sharrows.  This accounts for more than 50% progress towards the bike recommendations made in the initial plan.

The draft update includes recommendations for:

  • Mid-block crossings and rapid flashing beacons
  • Signage
  • Bike color improvements
  • Facility maintenance
  • Bike stations
  • Online wayfinding



In the UK, One City Ditches Traffic Signals at a Busy Intersection

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The village of Poynton, England has addressed traffic problems on one of its busiest intersections in a devolutionary way, by eliminating traffic controls.  At an intersection that sees 26,000 vehicles per day, there are no stop signs, no stoplights, no walk signals, bike lanes or crosswalks.  The shared space idea, though controversial, has improved safety at the intersection.  Note that the creator of the video below, Martin Cassini, is a longtime shared space advocate.  Luckily, no such intersections are planned for Washtenaw County anytime soon.

Federal Permit Granted for New Detroit-Windsor Bridge

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The nation's busiest international crossing, the Detroit-Windsor crossing, is one step closer to the desperately needed new bridge linking the US and Canada.  On Friday, a joint delegation of state, federal, and Canadian officials announced that the Obama Administration issued a permit to begin construction of the second bridge. The approval is a key step toward completing the project, and limits the range of legal challenges in federal courts.  See coverage at Mlive and at the Detroit Free Press.

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Population Bracketology

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Michigan Basketball fans still have plenty of Madness left this April.  For readers unfortunate enough to be Michigan State or OSU fans, a consolation prize-another bracket!  We stumbled on this bracket for data nerds over at the US Census.  Its simple, which metro area is bigger?  There are plenty of surprises, our first bracket scored a 43.  Once you finish, you can try the bracket with state populations instead.  Leave your score in the comments!

Population Bracketology at the US Census


Miller Avenue Construction

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Project Duration:
April 8, 2013 to November 2013 (Weather Permitting)

Location and Limits:
Miller Avenue between Maple Road and Linda Vista Avenue

Description of Work:
The Miller Avenue Improvement Project involves the complete reconstruction of the roadway to include a new pavement section comprised of layers of sand, gravel and asphalt, improved bicycle lanes, pedestrian crossings with raised islands, and intermittent left turn lanes to facilitate improved traffic flow; installation of new sidewalks in areas where none presently exist, new sidewalk ramps and concrete bus stop pads to comply with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, and sidewalk repairs; storm water improvements that include new larger storm sewer pipe to allow for detention, bio-swales, and rain gardens; and lastly utility work that replaces a distribution water main within the project limits and a portion of sanitary sewer.

During construction access for emergency vehicles and to driveways and side streets will be maintained to the full extent possible.  In addition, Miller Avenue east and west of the project limits will remain open to two-way traffic.

Pedestrian traffic will be maintained during this project.

Project Information:
A project webpage will be maintained and updated weekly and can be found by going to the City’s Website.


New Google Maps Tool

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Anyone familiar with WATS documents and maps knows that we are fans of Google's simple and accessible mapping tools.  This week, Google took a big step to make these tools even more powerful with its Google Maps Engine Lite Beta.  The new tool simplifies the process of making maps and improves control of symbology and data display.  We'll try out the improved tool in the next few weeks as we schedule meetings for our Long Range Plan.  Head to Google Maps Engine Lite if you are interested in testing it yourself, or see the official announcement at Google's Lat Long blog.


2012 Michigan Traffic Crashes Down, Traffic Deaths Up

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While Michigan traffic crashes and injuries were down in 2012, fatalities increased 5 percent over 2011from 889 to 936, according to the Michigan Department of State Police (MSP) Criminal Justice Information Center.  The number of traffic crashes fell 4 percent to 273,891 from 284,049 in 2011. Injuries were down 2 percent to 70,519 from 71,796 in 2011.

Increases were noted in motorcyclist fatalities, up 18 percent over 2011, and alcohol- and drug-involved fatalities, up 3 percent to 281 and 6 percent to 135 respectively.

"Michigan's increase in traffic fatalities mirrors what has taken place across the country," said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, MSP director. "Despite an increase in traffic deaths last year, the long-term picture indicates this is the fifth year in a row Michigan had fewer than 1,000 traffic deaths. Ten years ago there were nearly 1,300 people who died as a result of traffic crashes in our state."

Despite increases in traffic fatalities and alcohol and drug involvement, teen fatalities declined 14 percent, from 99 in 2011 to 85 in 2012.

The state has experienced significant decreases in traffic crashes over the past decade, from 395,515 in 2002 to 273,891 in 2012. Similarly, alcohol- and/or drug-involved fatalities have dropped from 463 in 2002 to 342 in 2012.

In other areas:

  • Cell phone-involved crashes decreased 9 percent, from 821 in 2011 to 748 in 2012. Cell phone-involved fatal crashes increased from six in 2011 to eight in 2012. (Michigan cannot track crashes involving texting specifically.)
  • Commercial motor vehicle-involved fatalities increased 10 percent, from 73 in 2011 to 80 in 2012.
  • Motorcyclist fatalities increased 18 percent, from 109 in 2011 to 129 in 2012.
  • Bicyclist fatalities were down 17 percent, from 24 in 2011 to 20 in 2012.
  • Pedestrian fatalities decreased 5 percent, from 140 in 2011 to 133 in 2012.
  • The number of crashes involving deer declined 9 percent, from 53,592 in 2011 to 48,918 in 2012.

NOTE: Additional 2012 crash information will be posted to www.michigantrafficcrashfacts.org in the coming months. Check frequently for updates. Information regarding crashes can be found at www.michigan.gov/msp; select Forms, Publications & Statistics on the left; select Statistics; select Traffic Crash Statistics.