Converting One-Way Streets to Two-Way Streets to Improve Transportation Network Efficiency and Reduce Vehicle Distance Traveled

Planning scholars have identified economic, safety, and social benefits of converting one-way streets to two-way. Less is known about how conversions could impact vehicular distances traveled—of growing relevance in an era fleet automation, electrification, ride-hailing. We simulate such a conversion San Francisco, California. find that its current street network’s average intra-city trip ~1.7 percent longer than it would be with all two-way streets, corresponding 27 million kilometers annual surplus travel. As transportation technologies evolve, planners must consider different facets network efficiency align local policy design sustainability other societal goals.