In our April 2nd webinar, we explored how tech tools and creative partnerships can support a more proactive and effective Safe System approach to road safety by helping communities better identify risk and encourage safe driving behaviors.
The conversation showcased tools from Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) and Uber that can complement Vision Zero and Safe System efforts. These range from proactively identifying and addressing crash risks before they happen to incentivizing safer driving among populations of drivers. Here’s our summary of highlights from the conversation, as well as funding tips.
Watch a 1-hour webinar recording and take a look at presenters’ slides.
Supporting Safety Proactively
We learned about tools to help look beyond high-injury crash locations in order to more proactively identify indicators of risk before serious crashes happen. Large-scale telematics, such as CMT’s StreetVision, can complement traditional crash data by surfacing leading indicators of risk, such as speeding, hard braking, and distracted driving. This allows communities to layer more dynamic, behavior-based risk analysis on top of high-injury network assessments. This helps agencies detect real-time and emerging high-risk areas, so that they can implement life-saving interventions earlier.
In Washington, DC, CMT helped to map fatal crash data alongside “near-miss” events – such as hard braking at high speeds – and found that the near-miss data revealed much clearer patterns of risk, helping focus the City’s safety work. For example, in DC’s Anacostia neighborhood, the discovery of clusters of hard-braking events pointed to an intersection where stop signs were obscured by overgrown trees. While this had not yet resulted in a high number of reported crashes, the risk was clear and was identified and addressed quickly – before problems occurred.
Other examples show how telematics-inspired insights can improve the critical evaluation of road safety interventions. Examples include analysis of a work zone speed camera pilot in Colorado showing an estimated 50% reduction in speeding during the warning period alone.
Another example comes from East Flagstaff, Arizona, where a signalized intersection converted to a roundabout saw a nearly 25% reduction in hard braking and a 14% decrease in phone distraction within weeks, while also improving traffic flow. Compared to the previous signalized condition, where 58% of vehicles were idling, the roundabout kept traffic moving more continuously with fewer stops – improving flow while reducing risk.
Telematics-based analysis helped to show how roundabouts can both reduce risk and improve traffic flow, influencing local decision-making.Beyond individual locations, tools such as StreetVision allow agencies to look at systemwide patterns, identify emerging hotspots, and prioritize interventions. This can be especially helpful for communities applying for Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) funding – providing additional context to strengthen applications and demonstrate impact over time.
Encouraging Safe Driving Behavior at Scale
Example campaign poster promoting the use of ride vouchers in El Paso, TX (credits: UTEP)At the same time, CMT’s telematics tools are helping Uber support safe driving at scale. Through its Driving Insights dashboard, Uber drivers receive useful information about their driving, including alerts on risky behaviors such as speeding, harsh braking, and phone use. Sharing driving scores and safe driving tips and incentives has led to greater driver awareness and attentiveness and measurable improvements in safe driving.
Another program was highlighted to focus on another top dangerous driving behavior. Uber Vouchers can offer alternatives to impaired driving. In one example, Bernalillo County, New Mexico provided more than 80,000 subsidized rides through its “Take a Ride On Us” program, focused on high-risk times such as New Years and other holidays. Similarly, the El Paso District Attorney’s Office has offered free Uber rides to reduce DUI incidents. These programs can be deployed by public agencies, especially useful for big events and busy holiday times, when drunk driving may be especially common.
Funding Exists to Test, Measure & Scale Safety Tools
Targeted interventions can meaningfully reduce risky driving behavior – and can be scaled up to make a real difference. And these tools can be leveraged as part of a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) demonstration grant, offering practical ways to pilot and evaluate safety strategies. By testing, measuring, and scaling what works, communities can move closer to safety for all.
We’re grateful to Kristin Smith and Daniel Brown of Uber and Ryan McMahon of CMT for contributing their expertise. We also appreciate both organizations’ support of Vision Zero Network.