AUSTIN, Texas — After a year of gathering data, the Barton Springs Road Safety Pilot program has come to an end.
The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) shared its findings after adding a series of improvements between Stratford Drive and South Lamar Boulevard, such as a one-vehicle lane and safer bicycle and pedestrian crosswalks.
According to TPW, overall crashes decreased by 17% from August 2023 to August 2024.
10 crashes were reported in that 12-month period, compared to an average of 12 crashes annually over the previous five years. The report did not include each year’s crash data.
While vehicle collisions dropped, crashes involving “vulnerable road users”, such as bicycles and scooters, increased according to the report. There were 4 crashes reported in that 12-month period compared to 2.6 on average over the previous 5 years. The report says none of the crashes during the 12-month study resulted in serious injuries.
The report said speeding along Barton Springs Road dropped by 64%-70% in the past year. Back in May, the department’s six-month update showed speeding drivers decreased by 64.2%. While speeding decreased, the data shows overall travel times increased by nearly a minute, from 2.8 minutes to 3.6.
Before the program’s start, 738 people sped on the roadway each day compared to 470 people during the pilot period, according to the findings.
TPW said 66% of those who completed a survey said they were somewhat or very comfortable using the road post-pilot design. Before, the organization said this number was 36%.
TPW staff members have shared various recommendations including adding software advancements, more secure bicycle lane protections, and more signal-timing fixes.
Additional upgrade recommendations include adding more distinct turn lanes on Azie Morton Road near the Barton Springs Bridge Replacement Project and making “multimodal safety and mobility” improvements along South Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Road.
You can read the full report here.
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