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BETTER INTERSECTIONS
Better Intersections builds on our hands-on, community-powered approach to test safer streets. Rather than waiting years for permanent capital projects, this initiative allows neighborhoods to quickly pilot and evaluate ideas that improve safety, visibility, walkability, and comfort at selected intersections. Better Intersections is rooted in the principles of Vision Zero - the idea that traffic deaths and serious injuries are preventable, not inevitable.
By testing low-cost, community-informed interventions in real-world conditions, the program helps neighborhoods move from conversation to demonstration while giving the City valuable insight into what works prior to long-term investments.
Better Block is collaborating closely with Councilmember offices to ensure neighborhood feedback, community priorities, and pilot findings help inform future safety improvements.
COHORT 1
After success in District 4, we are launching a cohort of four projects in Districts 1, 2, 3, and 9 and aim to eventually take on an intersection in every Dallas district. Residents, schools, neighborhood organizations, and local leaders will participate in a community meeting, walk audits, temporary installations, and public feedback processes to collaboratively design solutions that can be experienced, measured, and refined in real time.
DISTRICT 1:
West Clarendon Drive north of Martin Weiss Park
June 30 | 6:30 PM
A senior-focused community project designed to create a safer connection to the park, bus stops, and surrounding neighborhood.
DISTRICT 2:
West Glen Drive and Lakeland Drive
TBD
A child-focused community project designed to strengthen safe connectivity to Sanger Elementary School and address missing sidewalk infrastructure.
DISTRICT 3:
South Hampton Road/Perryton Drive
June 23 | 6:00 PM
Supporting Brashear Elementary School, the Hampton-Illinois Branch Library, and the Oak Cliff Nature Preserve, focused on economic development, connectivity, and safety to encourage more pedestrian activity.
DISTRICT 9:
Lakewood Elementary School
June 16 | 6:00 PM
A child-focused safety project designed to improve safe access and connectivity around the school.
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
COMMUNITY MEETING + WALK AUDIT: Residents, stakeholders, schools, and partners join Better Block oto document how the intersection functions today, identify safety concerns, and observe how people currently move through the space. Community members will help shape ideas and priorities for the pilot, ensuring the concept reflects local needs, lived experience, and neighborhood goals.
PILOT DEMONSTRATION: Alongside community volunteers, we will lead the implementation of a quick-build demonstration using lower cost, adjustable materials such as paint, bollards, signage, planters, and curb extensions.
TEST & EVALUATE: The pilot remains active while the team gathers observations, public feedback, and behavioral data to understand how the intervention performs in real-world conditions.
NEXT STEPS: Findings and recommendations are shared with Councilmember offices and stakeholders to help inform future permanent infrastructure investments and safety improvements.
PAST PROJECTS
The Better Intersections initiative grew from our work at the Vermont/Ewing intersection where students walking home from school were navigating an intersection that lacked a marked crosswalk, had extremely wide travel lanes, limited pedestrian infrastructure, and inconsistent driver behavior.
In response, we implemented a temporary redesign including painted curb extensions, a striped crosswalk, bollards, a centerline, and a ground mural designed to reinforce the intersection as a shared, people-first space.
Over the following months, driver behavior began to change. Twenty-three percent more drivers actually stopped at the stop sign, vehicle speeds decreased by 13.6%, and community support grew over time. The pilot ultimately informed permanent City improvements, including a permanent crosswalk, sidewalks, extended bumpouts, and a four-way stop.
For questions and inquiries, contact meredith@betterblock.org
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
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