DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements (TCI)
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Pedestrian Safety Campaign - Getting to Vision Zero
SUMMARY:
This item will provide a briefing and staff recommendations on creating a Vision Zero Action Plan.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On June 3, 2015, City Council District 5 submitted a Council Consideration Request (CCR) for Creating a Vision Zero Action Plan.
The Vision Zero initiative started in Sweden and has been adopted by several cities around the world. Cities in the United States that have adopted the Vision Zero goal include Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle. The Vision Zero approach is summarized by the thought that “no loss of life is acceptable.” The largest cities in the United States to achieve zero fatalities in a one year period include: Lakewood, Washington; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Provo, Utah; and El Monte, California.
On July 15, 2015, TCI held a Pedestrian Safety Team Meeting with internal and external stakeholders to discuss the goals the TCI led Pedestrian Safety Campaign and develop strategies toward Vision Zero.
In 2014, there were 45,208 motor vehicle crashes in San Antonio. Of the 45,208 crashes, 138 were fatal crashes. In 2014, 54 pedestrians and 1 bicyclist in San Antonio were struck and killed by a motor vehicle. Of the 54 pedestrians, 94% were adults, and 74% of the fatal pedestrian accidents occurred between 7:00 pm and 7:00 am.
On July 29, 2015, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced Texas as one of the 17 focus states and San Antonio as one of the 35 focus cities due to the high rate of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities. The FHWA offers free technical assistance such as data analysis, pedestrian safety action plan development from initiation to implementation, pedestrian safety courses to each of the states and cities, free bi-monthly webinars on various pedestrian focus series, and support for a wide range of analysis tools and countermeasures. Eligible focus States participating in the Focused Approach will have priority access to assistance.
ISSUE:
TCI has been working on developing a Vision Zero Action Plan. It started in mid 2014 with the Pedestrian Safety Plan, which focused on developing a strategy for improving and promoting pedestrian safety in school zones. The FY2015 budget included a $2.5M initiative for pedestrian safety improvements. This Council Consideration Request will recommend the item to the Transportation, Technology, and Utilities Council Committee for further discussion.
ALTERNATIVES:
This is a briefing for informational purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this briefing.
RECOMMENDATION:
Advance to Transportation, Technology, and Utilities Council Committee