Which Way Now? The Case for (and Against) One-Way Streets

By: Mateo Van Thienen and Fabian De La Espriella

The way a street moves vehicles — whether it’s one-way or two-way — doesn’t just shape how traffic flows. It defines how people experience a place.

As cities reimagine their streetscapes, one big question often surfaces: should we convert this one-way street to two-way? Or convert this two-way street to one-way? The answer depends on context — but understanding the trade-offs is key to making choices that lead to safer, livelier, and more functional streets.

One-way versus two-way isn’t a battle of right or wrong — it’s a question of fit. Street directionality is shaped by factors like street width, surrounding land use, and the age and design philosophy of the city itself. Other critical considerations include the availability of multimodal infrastructure to support people who walk, bike, or take transit.

How Did We Get Here?

Cities laid out before World War II—like New York, Boston, and Chicago—typically feature narrower, gridded street networks. These traditional layouts are compact, walkable, and inherently multimodal. In contrast, newer cities such as Orlando, Salt Lake City, and Dallas were designed during the automobile era. Their streets are wider and often prioritize vehicle movement above all else.

In the mid-20th century, many U.S. cities reconfigured their downtown streets into one-way pairs to move vehicles—lots of them—in and out of city centers quickly and efficiently. These conversions were especially common in fast-growing central business districts.

While one-way streets succeeded in maximizing vehicle throughput, they often did so at the expense of urban life. Higher speeds made streets less comfortable to walk or bike. Businesses became harder to find. Emergency response was sometimes delayed by convoluted routing.

Today, many planners are reexamining whether one-way streets are still the best fit—especially for corridors that serve more than just cars.

One-way multi-lane streets encourages vehicle throughput.

Changing the Paradigm

In auto-oriented downtowns, converting wide high-speed one-way streets to two-way can bring transformative benefits:

• Safety: Lower vehicle speeds, reduce crash severity and improve safety for all street users.

  
  

• Business access: Drivers don’t need to circle the block to reach a destination or find parking. Storefront visibility improves in both directions.

  
  

• Emergency response: Two-way access can simplify routing and reduce response times.

  
  

• Bicycling: Slower speeds support safer riding conditions. Reclaimed lanes can be converted into protected bike lanes, bike-share stations, and bike parking.

  
  

• Walking: Narrower crosswalks and traffic calming features make walking safer and more comfortable. Reclaimed space can be used for wider sidewalks, outdoor cafes, or landscaping.

Two-way calmed streets foster neighborhood vitality and roadway safety.

One-way streets can still work well—especially in dense, walkable neighborhoods with slower traffic speeds and a robust multimodal network.

Benefits of one-way streets in these contexts include:

• Simplified intersections: Signals require fewer phases. Pedestrians wait less. Drivers encounter fewer conflict points.

  
  

• Fewer crash points: A one-way intersection presents just one-fourth the vehicle conflict points of a two-way intersection.

  
  

• Pedestrian predictability: People only need to look in one direction to cross.

  
  

• Smart bike integration: Bike lanes can be placed on the side with fewer conflicts—or run two-way alongside the sidewalk.

One-way single-lane streets are efficient, safe, and comfortable for all users.

A Bigger Question to Consider

Ultimately, deciding whether a street should be one-way or two-way begins with a bigger question: What kind of place are we trying to create?

Planners and communities must consider:

• Who is using the street — and how?

• Are we trying to move cars or move people?

• What trade-offs are acceptable?

• How does street direction support the city's economic, safety, and equity goals?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—but there is a clear opportunity to rethink directionality as part of a broader effort to build streets that serve everyone.

Street direction might seem like a technical detail, but it’s a powerful tool in shaping urban life. When thoughtfully considered, converting streets—or preserving their existing direction—can support vibrant public spaces, safer travel, and more livable neighborhoods.

The question isn’t just about which way traffic should go. It’s about what kind of city do you envision your city to become.