Nearly four million people have died in road crashes since 1899, and the numbers continue to rise, yet we often accept these tragedies as inevitable. Until now, little attention has been given to why our roads are designed in ways that compromise safety.

In his new book, Killed by a Traffic Engineer, civil engineering professor Wes Marshall explores this issue, drawing on extensive research to reveal how road designs are often based on untested assumptions, with safety treated as an afterthought. While traffic engineers do not intend harm, Marshall argues that our transportation system is built on flawed principles that need urgent reevaluation.

In this session, Marshall will share his findings and offer solutions to reduce the devastating toll on our roadways. Achieving safer streets will require a shift in mindset and a transformation of how we design roads, prioritizing safety for everyone, whether they are inside or outside of vehicles.

Legacy residential subdivisions generally have outdated and inadequate stormwater detention or water quality treatment prior to runoff entering stream systems. An existing East Fayetteville, AR residential subdivision constructed in the late 1990’s is adjacent and up gradient of a floodplain property along the West Fork White River in Fayetteville, AR. With little detention, stormwater is directed through several outfalls to a hayfield prior to entering the West Fork White River (WFWR). The Beaver Watershed Alliance was awarded a US EPA 319 grant and collaborated with the Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC) and BioX Design to demonstrate ecologically-based best management practices (BMPs) to treat stormwater utilizing adjacent floodplain properties.

A stormwater treatment plan and engineering design was developed and implemented on 4-acres of pastureland. The concept of sculpting a “mound-and-swale” topography modeled on naturally occurring prairie landscapes of Northwest Arkansas was used to create extended flowpaths, depressional storage, and mounds to treat stormwater and create pollinator and wildlife habitat. Also, a small incising channel that had formed from the storm flows down gradient of a concrete pipe outfall was restored to a natural form and used to help distribute the stormwater to the mound-and-swale system in the hayfield. Native plants appropriate for the stream and prairie were incorporated to stabilize soils, provide habitat, and enhance stormwater treatment. The nature-based BMP slows stormwater flows and removes pollutants before the water enters the WFWR. All partners worked with the landowner and the design allows for one cutting of hay each year. The WCRC implemented the project in the fall of 2023 and continues to monitor the site. The nature-based BMPs help to protect Northwest Arkansas’s drinking water source, Beaver Lake, and serve as an example of partner and landowner collaboration to retrofit stormwater systems of older developments to improve the quality of residential stormwater runoff

Join the Laneshift team for this fun and engaging ride that will provide insights into active transportation, affordable workforce housing, and innovative infrastructure projects in Bentonville. The Tour will highlight how these elements factor into developing thriving and healthy communities, neighborhoods, and projects. This ~2-hour learning tour will explore the active transportation and trail network within the City of Bentonville as well as how the “network” integrates into the transportation network as well as individual projects/developments.

Learning objectives for this tour:

The tour will allow participants to explore how active transportation, connectivity, and recreational trails facilitate strong and resilient places.

WHAT TO EXPECT: This tour will include 5-7 miles of riding on hard-surface, greenway trails, and quiet residential streets. We will make frequent stops to discuss and learn, and no one will be left behind. This is a learning experience, not a race.

WHAT TO BRING: We will be on bike and on foot throughout the tour, so participants should be sure to wear comfortable, casual clothes and shoes that can be moved in freely. Closedtoed shoes are recommended. Don't worry about fancy or specialized activewear - we will not be wearing lycra. Rain and cold are possibilities, so bring a rain shell, scarf, hat, warm gloves, jacket, and plenty of layers.

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

Join us for an in-depth exploration of regional utilities and collaboration efforts at the Place Summit’s Regional Infrastructure Workshop. This session brings together key stakeholders from across Northwest Arkansas to share insights, foster connections, and develop strategies for addressing the region’s growing infrastructure needs. Attendees will hear presentations from experts representing major regional planning and utility organizations, followed by interactive panel discussions and breakout sessions.

Key Topics Covered:

Centerton is one of the fastest growing communities in Northwest Arkansas (and the entire state). Historically, it was a small village that never had a true downtown. Today, the city recognizes it is at a tipping point--at risk of losing its identity and becoming solely a bedroom community comprising residential subdivisions and strip commercial corridors.

As the next participant in ULI's "Small Cities Initiative" Centerton wants to explore opportunities for redeveloping the historic village crossroads or creating a new town center -- or both. This workshop will be a hands-on session for Place Summit attendees to brainstorm about the necessary placemaking tools for both approaches to creating a "new" downtown -- ask key questions, explore physical constraints and opportunities, identify low-hanging fruit, share examples from other cities, discuss policy and regulatory tools, and define potential priorities for the city -- helping the city refine the scope and scale of its Small Cities project.

Join us for a fun Happy Hour, brought to you by FNB, to unwind after a day of engaging sessions! Enjoy drinks and light bites while connecting with fellow attendees and reflecting on the day’s highlights. It’s the perfect way to relax, network, and celebrate a successful summit before the final reception. Cheers!