DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements (TCI)
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Pedestrian Safety Plan - 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 Councilwoman Gonzales submitted a Council Consideration Request (CCR) requesting TCI create a Vision Zero Action Plan.
Vision Zero is an initiative started in Sweden and has been adopted by several cities around the world and nationally to include Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle. Vision Zero is a traffic safety initiative that aims to achieve a roadway system with zero fatalities. The Vision Zero approach is summarized by the thought that “no loss of life is acceptable.” Through Vision Zero, the community shares the responsibility for ensuring the safety of people in our community. The responsibility for roadway safety is shared between those who design the road and those who use the road. The largest cities in the United States to achieve zero fatalities in a one year period after adopting the Vision Zero approach include: Lakewood, Washington; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Provo, Utah; and El Monte, California.
The recent number of pedestrians and bicyclists killed in San Antonio has brought to light the need for renewed efforts. 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. In 2014, 54 pedestrians and 1 bicyclist in San Antonio were struck and killed by a motor vehicle. This year, a total of 18 pedestrians and 2 bicyclists have been struck and killed by a motor vehicle (crash data as of July 31, 2015).
Recent efforts by the City have emphasized our commitment to the community through strengthened programs and implementation. In 2014, TCI improved pedestrian safety around school zones by implementing the following improvements:
– School Zone Sign Upgrades
– School Zone Flashing Beacons Upgrades and Maintenance
– School Zone Crosswalk Pavement Marking Upgrades and Maintenance
In addition, the FY 2015 budget included a $2.5 million initiative for the following pedestrian safety improvements:
– Pedestrian Z Crossings
– Education Program
– Upgrade nine existing school zones from static to flashing beacons
TCI, along with internal and external partner agencies, is committed to enhancing safety in San Antonio. On July 15, 2015, TCI held a pedestrian safety partner work session with internal and external stakeholders to discuss the goals and develop strategies toward Vision Zero. A second work session was held on September 2, 2015, to continue the discussions and develop the action agenda for Vision Zero.
ISSUE:
TCI along with our internal and external partner agencies is developing a Vision Zero Action Plan. The action plan’s vision is “Together, we can achieve zero fatalities on our roadways because every person in our community matters.” As part of the goal to achieve zero fatalities on San Antonio roadways, the Vision Zero Action Plan encompasses five essential elements for a safe transportation system: Education, Encouragement, Engineering, Enforcement, and Evaluation
ALTERNATIVES:
This is a briefing for informational purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this briefing.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Vision Zero Plan be advance to Criminal Justice, Public Safety and Services Committee for further discussion.