As Vision Zero and the Safe System approach gain attention and support across the nation, it is important to remember that these Vision Zero commitments are more than just words or taglines. This work is ambitious, but it IS achievable, and it starts with recognizing that this is a fundamentally different approach to prioritizing safe mobility for all.
In our most recent Vision Zero 101 webinar, we revisit the core principles of the Safe System approach and dig into what it means to make meaningful, lasting changes to prioritize safety in our transportation work. We also update our past 101-sessions with new learning and the evolution of ideas gained from Vision Zero experience in the U.S.
What strategies are most effective? Who needs to be involved? Where do we start?
These are some of the key questions explored in this Vision Zero 101 session – a great place to start for policymakers, practitioners and advocates eager to help their communities advance both safe and equitable mobility.
(see 1-hour recording and slidedeck from November 19, 2024)
What’s Covered in Vision Zero 101?
This session dives into key topics, including:
- The state of roadway safety in the U.S. and why a new approach is needed.
- An overview of Vision Zero fundamentals and how the Safe System approach differs from the traditional “Es” model of traffic safety.
- Real-world examples of Vision Zero in action across the U.S.
- Strategies for integrating public health principles and health equity into roadway safety work.
- The challenges in advancing Vision Zero and actionable ways to overcome them.
- Practical steps to begin prioritizing equity in Vision Zero plans for communities at various stages
In addition to the above, participants will learn about emerging technological tools that can be used, in combination with street design, to manage speeds at a fundamental level. These technologies include the following:
Speed Safety Cameras
Speed safety cameras have been proven to reduce speeding, injuries, and fatalities, with studies showing reductions in injuries and deaths by 20% to 37%. However, they rely on fine-based systems, which can disproportionately burden communities already facing the most dangerous roadways. To address this, Vision Zero Network has developed recommendations to promote equity in these programs. Recommendations include alternative fines structures, time limits on access to funds generated from these programs, and prioritizing design-based changes wherever and whenever possible. Check them out here.
Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA)
Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) is a technology that helps drivers stay within speed limits by using GPS-linked speed limit data and/or video cameras to recognize speed limit signs – features that are already built into many new cars. Recommended in 2023 by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to be standard equipment in all new vehicles, ISA is a proactive tool that can prevent speeding at the source, aligning with Safe System principles. Many local governments are already taking steps to pilot Intelligent Speed Assistance by joining the Safer Fleets Challenge, retrofitting their fleets with ISA systems.
Whether your community is just beginning to explore Vision Zero or is refining its existing efforts, the Vision Zero 101 webinar provides the foundational knowledge and practical tools needed to make meaningful progress. With its focus on both effective strategies and equity-centered solutions—the webinar equips participants to take actionable steps toward safer, more inclusive streets. Check out our previous installment.