1. SAFETY
Goal T-0: By 2035, eliminate all transportation related fatal and serious injury crashes in Kirkland.
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Vision Zero Safety Plan: 4 Key Elements |
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Emphasis: On crashes resulting in fatalities and serious injuries, with a date specific goal. |
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Partnerships: Policy makers, Enforcement, Education, Advocacy, Engineering, Emergency Medical Services, and Vehicle Manufacturers all work together. |
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System Approach: Rather than exclusively faulting drivers and other users of the transportation system, Vision Zero places the core responsibility for accidents on the overall system design. |
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Data: Carefully analyze crashes and use data to make decisions for improvements. |
Background
An idea that began in Sweden in 1994, “zero based” safety goals have been adopted by a number of states and cities including Washington State. Since 1997, traffic fatalities fell 25 percent faster in the group of states with a target zero policy when compared to states without such a policy1. Because the Kirkland City Council feels that no lives should be lost on our streets and sidewalks the Council has also adopted a zero fatality, zero serious injury safety goal as a part of Kirkland’s transportation policy.
The point of a zero based safety plan is to raise awareness by setting aspirational goals going beyond typical engineering and enforcement based efforts. Vision Zero programs involve creating a multi-faceted approach, involving engineering and enforcement components, while adding emergency response, strong behavior programs, and working with advocacy and private sector interests.
In some ways, Vision Zero is an aspirational goal. Therefore, when considering Vision Zero there is a need to consider balance across the goals for Transportation. There is a limit to the pursuit of Vision Zero when it significantly infringes on the pursuit of other goals.
At the same time, working toward Vision Zero may make progress toward other goals easier; for example increased safety for people on bikes will encourage more bike use and potentially reduce traffic congestion.
Vision Zero is new and reporting back to Council in the future will be necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of investments.
Policy T-0.1: Develop a Vision Zero safety plan that is multi-disciplinary and focuses on innovative approaches to safety.
More specifics around this policy are included in the policies for walking, biking, motor vehicles and in other areas of the transportation element.
New York City Vision Zero Action Plan.