Vision Zero



Vision Zero programs seek to eliminate automobile-related pedestrian injury & fatalities through comprehensive infrastructure, communications and enforcement activities.

 


Benefits & Problems Addressed

Reducing Fatalities: Auto-related injuries are a leading cause of death in US cities, particularly for children.


Tips & Techniques

Partners: Cities need to pull in multiple departments such as Transportation, Police, Engineering, Fire, Public Works/Streets, Public Health, Schools, Planning, and Information Services/GIS to ensure success. Also include pedestrian, planning & transportation commissions and non-profits. Enlist local grant-makers to fund and disseminate safety materials. 

Data-driven improvements: Use crash and health data to determine injury/fatality hotspots.  Study surroundings to determine the root cases (speed, blind spots, construction, time-of-day, vehicle types, land uses). Post maps showing the public hotspots & improvements. 

Common fixes: (1) Speed enforcement. (2) Curb extensions (to reduce the distance pedestrians traverse crossing streets).(3) Improved lighting. (4) Re-timing pedestrian "Walk" signals for a head start before lights for autos turn green. (5) "Scramble" intersections where all traffic stops to allow pedestrians to cross in all directions. 

Pre- & Post Studies: Plan monitoring studies to constantly determine the effectiveness of interventions & improvements. 

Hot Buttons:  Zero’s high level of ambition. Cities are replacing "auto accidents" with "auto crashes," which sparks debates.  Enforcement with cameras is an on-going debate as well. 


Resources

International Vision Zero

Vision Zero Los Angeles - Los Angeles, CA US

Vision ZeroSF: San Francisco, CA US