Austin, TX
Austin’s left-turn pilot program shows promising results
AUSTIN, Texas — The City of Austin recently released a report about a year and a half-long pilot program aimed at reducing the number of left-turn crashes. City officials say the tools used in the pilot seem to work.
Left-turn calming treatments were installed at 16 intersections across Austin as part of the city’s Vision Zero program.
“We have some posts on a curb system and a low-profile speed cushion, which is high visibility, including at night, and they can extend to the crosswalk and also a little bit beyond,” said Michael Kiel, a program manager for Austin’s Vision Zero. “Or have a curb extension made out of white materials on the other side.”
The city adopted Vision Zero 10 years ago, aimed at eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries.
“We’ve seen a 46% reduction in crashes involving pedestrians, as well as a 50% reduction in crashes involving pedestrians that led to injury,” Kiel said regarding the calming treatment pilot.
It involves leveraging highly visiblity posts to reduce the risk of pedestrians getting hit by a car making a left turn. It cost about $5,400 to install at each location.
“Building on our own research and that from other cities, we designed a pilot program to install low-cost treatments at intersections to reduce the speed and improve the angle that vehicles are turning left,” Kiel said.
The findings also revealed the treatments at each location saved more than $180,000 in crash costs, which includes emergency response, medical bills and other damages. Because of its success, the city may expand the treatment to other intersections.
“We find those results, as well as some video observation and engineering observation about turning behavior, very promising and encouraging to potentially use these treatments in different locations throughout the city,” Kiel said.
The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport just announced that Checkpoint 4 is finally open for general screening. Here’s what that means for upcoming travel plans.
The airport revealed the news in a Monday afternoon social media post. “Checkpoint 4 is now open at AUS for general screening,” the post reads. “Head to the far west side of the terminal for faster, easier access to gates 22 and up.”
AUS called the news “another step toward a more comfortable airport experience.” Travelers can find directions to Checkpoint 4 on the airport’s online map. It’s near popular concessions Vino Vino, Tacodeli, and Antone’s.
The airport also posted on Friday an alert about a detour that will run from Feb. 24-25, 11 p.m.-7 a.m. During that time, there will be an overnight roadway closure due to Yellow Garage construction.
Note that rental car returns and rideshare/taxi pickups should use the Red Garage entrance. Rideshare, taxi, and rental car pickup locations will be the same. Drivers should follow all detour signage and staff directions.
The airport is currently working on a multi-billion dollar expansion project that will allow it to keep up with regional growth and routinely shattered passenger records. Last year, the airport served a total of 21.6 million arriving and departing passengers, and added four new nonstop destinations and 21 new nonstop services.
Eventually, the expansion project will result in 32 new airline gates, a new concourse, Concourse A redevelopment, expanded airline ticket counters, new amenities, a larger baggage claim hall, a centralized TSA security checkpoint, and a mobility lounge.
If approved by City Council, the expansion project cost could rise to over $5 billion as the scope continues to be refined.
Get ready to park it. Over the next 10 weeks, patrons at participating Downtown businesses will be eligible to receive free or discounted parking as part of the Downtown Patron Parking Pilot.
The partnership between the Downtown Austin Alliance and Austin Convention Center is meant to boost accessibility to nearby businesses during the convention center’s redevelopment.
Visitors will be able to receive two hours free (or discounted parking for longer visits) at Second Street Garage and Fifth Street Garage all day Sunday-Thursday and until 4 p.m. Friday + Saturday.
Participating businesses include Antone’s Nightclub, Revolución, Nica on 4th, El Cockfight, Elephant Room, The Creek and The Cave, HokkaiSan, Skipjack Oyster, Speakeasy Austin, and Sunset Strip Comedy Club. See the full list.
AUSTIN, Texas – The numbers are in, and the 2026 Cupid’s Chase 5K held on Valentine’s Day set a participation record both locally and nationally.
Start of the Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
CBS Austin Chief Meteorologist Chikage Windler served as the Honorary Chair of the Cupid’s Chase 5K.
CBS Austin’s Chikage Windler served as the Honorary Chair for the Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
After helping to start the race, she also ran it.
CBS Austin’s Chikage Windler with Community Options Executive Director Rebecca Tisthammer at the Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
The 3.1-mile race benefits Community Options, Inc., a nonprofit that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Austin’s Community Options Executive Director Rebecca Tisthammer says the race proceeds are used to host celebrations for individuals, like parties to bring together host homes, group homes, and community support agencies. They celebrate holidays, have social outings, and take field trips.
CBS Austin’s Chikage Windler with Asa, one of the individuals served by Community Options. Asa helped give out medals and awards to Cupid’s Chase 5K finishers. (photo: Chikage Windler)
Tisthammer says, “It’s important for individuals with disabilities to not be isolated in their sub-communities, but to be able to find a place in their larger society and to feel needed, wanted, and capable.” Several people being supported by Community Options helped distribute medals at the race. One individual named Asa greeted runners at the finish line and helped with the awards ceremony.
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Tisthammer explained that “for him, being a part of the bigger community was such a valuable experience. All day, he had a purpose, and he had a chance to feel useful and included.” She adds, “He and the other individuals who got to help that day left with a deeper sense of belonging and connection. That’s what the race was really about: bringing that need into awareness.”
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
This year’s Austin race was held on Valentine’s Day, with 365 runners and walkers braving the damp weather at Camp Mabry.
The start of the race was wet enough that some participants used umbrellas to stay dry. Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
The route led runners and walkers past several historic military aircraft on permanent display at Camp Mabry.
The race route gave participants the chance to run beside the historic military aircraft lining the track at Camp Mabry.{ } (photo: Chikage Windler)
It was a record field locally and nationwide, with over 17-thousand participants in Cupid’s Chase races across the country.
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Next year’s race is set for February 13th, 2027. The Austin race will once again be held at Camp Mabry.
Cupid’s Chase 5K (photo: Chikage Windler)
Learn how to volunteer or support Community Options, Inc.: https://www.comop.org/
Find out more about Cupid’s Chase: https://www.comop.org/cupidschase/
Cupids Chase 5K (video: Chikage Windler)
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