Across the country, U.S. towns and communities are committing to Vision Zero, which, in addition to setting the goal of zero traffic deaths or severe injuries, also commits communities to a fundamental shift in how they approach traffic safety.

A hallmark of Vision Zero in the U.S. is the creation of an Action Plan. From mid-sized communities like Fremont, California and Columbia, Missouri to big, urban cities like Los Angeles, Boston, and Austin, these Action Plans lay the groundwork for the strategies that will move your community from vision to action and help achieve the goal of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries.

This guide – published by the Vision Zero Network in partnership with Livable Streets Alliance and the Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition – is designed to help Vision Zero communities build an implementation plan that is concrete and action-driven, while being responsive to the context and needs of the community served.

We realize that all Vision Zero communities are unique, and strategies will vary, but there are some actions that are fundamental to Vision Zero. Our purpose in providing these guidelines is to clearly define core principles of Vision Zero, underscore baseline practices needed in any strong plan, and to lift up exemplary work from current Vision Zero communities.

The guide lays out two key areas of a strong Action Plan: Foundational Elements and Actionable Strategies, which are both underpinned by a process of continued Community Engagement and attention to prioritizing Equity. Model policies and examples from Vision Zero cities are included throughout, as well as how-tos for maintaining a  focus on equity.

All together, the guidelines should help Vision Zero communities create an effective road map for action, and a tool for measuring and assessing progress towards the bottom line goal of eliminating severe injury crashes and fatalities. Download a PDF.