What is Vision Zero?

Vision Zero is based on Federal Highway Administration Safe System Approach for roadway safety. The guiding principles based on US. Department of Transportation National Roadway Safety Strategy are: death and serious injuries are unacceptable, humans make mistakes, humans are vulnerable, responsibility is shared, safety is proactive, and redundancy is crucial. The aim of Vision Zero is to reduce traffic related deaths to zero.

In 2022, the city initiated development of the Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP). A LRSP provides a framework for identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing roadway safety improvements on local roads. The city is also developing the Vision Zero Plan.

Why

The plans are required for state and federal funding programs for e.g. the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), FHWA Safe Streets and Roads Safety Improvements grant, etc.

Opportunity:

The development of Vision Zero Plan will include review of collision history and review of existing traffic and pedestrian safety studies, and include public engagement, and collaboration with stakeholders and advisory groups to develop comprehensive strategies and policies for city to achieve vision zero over a performance period established by the city. It will also allow city to be competitive in pursuing various grants to implement Vision Zero improvements.  Vision Zero implementation will enhance safety for all users. 

Challenges

Effective performance monitoring, resources and funding for the implementation and monitoring.

Strategy

Some strategies to achieving Vision Zero include:

1. Applying low-cost roadway safety treatments system wide, such as left. and right-tum lanes at intersections, road diets, and better signage and lighting along high crash corridors.
2. Identifying & correcting network risks, improving pedestrian crosswalks by adding high visibility pavement markings, lighting & signage at transit stops, near schools, downtown corridor, public facilities & transportation route.
3. Transforming a roadway corridor on a high-injury network into a complete street with safety improvements to control speed, separate users, and improve visibility, lighting etc.
4. Installing pedestrian safety enhancements & closing network gaps with sidewalks, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, signal improvements, & audible pedestrian signals for people walking, rolling, or using mobility assisted devices, improve visibility and safety.
5. Supporting the development of bikeway network with bicycle lanes for different roadway volumes & speeds
6. Implementing traffic calming road design & addressing speed
7. Creating safe routes to school and public transit services through multiple activities that lead to people safety walking, biking, & rolling in underserved communities.
8. Evaluating and improving the safety of intersections by considering innovative design, improved delineation & advanced warning, lighting, etc.

Timeline

Vision Zero is scheduled to be adopted by Spring 2024. 

For more information, please visit the project website http://www.livermorevisionzero.org and http://www.livermoresafetyplan.org.