During the Washington Region Vision Zero Summit in September hosted by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, Vision Zero Network Program Manager Tiffany Smith offered pointers for cities wanting to incorporate the network’s Vision Zero approach in their applications for competitive grants under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Cities across the country are adopting Vision Zero, a nontraditional communitywide approach to ending — or at least reducing — traffic casualties. The program emphasizes a multipronged approach that starts with design and policy rather than the traditional education, enforcement, and engineering emphases. It stresses protecting vulnerable road users such as pedestrians or cyclists as well as drivers and passengers.

One program the IIJA funded, the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, provides up to $1 billion annually to reduce roadway casualties. “This is the time to go ahead and try things you have never done before,” Smith said. Her pointers:

  • Expect inevitable tragedies. 
  • Think proactively. 
  • Don’t rely solely on the data. 
  • Don’t forget your allies. 

Read the full article about community involvement in traffic safety by Charles Pekow at Smart Cities Dive.