Vision Zero
RELATED TOPICS: Safety Tools and Analysis, Countermeasures and Safety Effectiveness, Plan Development, Speed, Community Engagement
Vision Zero is a strategy to improve safety and eliminate all traffic-related deaths and severe injuries. Vision Zero originated in Sweden in the 1990s and since then, the country's traffic fatality rate has been cut in half. Vision Zero has been adopted in other areas of Europe and is quickly gaining traction in North America. In 2012, Chicago became the first city in the United States to commit to Vision Zero. Since that time, more than 40 locations in the U.S., including cities, counties, and regional planning organizations, have adopted Vision Zero policies and several more are in the process of committing to Vision Zero.
The Vision Zero concept affirms that deadly crashes are preventable. By prioritizing safety, a universal goal, Vision Zero policies utilize a comprehensive approach to transportation that involves collaboration across agencies and advocacy organizations. Importantly, in a break from traditional thinking that places responsibility for safety on the individual, Vision Zero recognizes that the people who create and enforce the road network are also responsible for safety.
Resources
Resilient Transportation and Mobility Solutions
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
Offers a guide to help communities implement safe active transportation and multimodal improvements, including Complete Streets, trails and greenways, and mobility hubs as strategies.
Vision Zero Network
The Vision Zero Network is a collaborative campaign to help communities reach their goals of Vision Zero — eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries — while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all.
Vision Zero Community Pairing Program
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Fosters collaboration between Vision Zero communities through mentor-mentee relationships and peer partnerships.
Vision Zero for Youth
Vision Zero for Youth
Provides strategies for prioritizing youth pedestrian and bicyclist safety with the broader goal of improving safety for all road users.
Vision Zero Network
Vision Zero Network
Is a national non-profit that supports communities through technical assistance, the Vision Zero Focus Cities program, and guidance documents.
More Resources >
Examples
Noteworthy Practice: Equity Approaches for Vision Zero: San Francisco
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Offers a case study on equity considerations in San Francisco CA using equity data to inform Vision Zero Network.
How Hundreds of Cities Have Achieved Zero Road Deaths in a Year
The Conversation
Reports on actions taken by over 500 cities to achieve zero road deaths.
More Examples >
Related Webinars
Creating Age-Friendly Streets - Part 1
Apr/22/2019
Getting from Vision Zero Plan to Vision Zero Progress
Apr/18/2017
