DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E., Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on Vision Zero
SUMMARY:
The Transportation & Capital Improvements Department (TCI) will provide a briefing on the Vision Zero Action Plan, FY 2016 accomplishments and FY 2017 project status.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In September 2015 the City of San Antonio adopted Vision Zero in response to San Antonio’s spike in the number of pedestrian roadway fatalities and serious injuries. The Vision Zero approach is summarized by the thought that no traffic related loss of life is acceptable.
The Transportation & Capital Improvements (TCI) Department developed the Vision Zero Action Plan and published it in October 2016. The Vision Zero Action Plan was developed with community input obtained through six stakeholder meetings, three task force meetings and public input through the SA Tomorrow Multimodal Transportation Plan planning process.
Included in the Vision Zero Action Plan are five essential elements for a safe transportation system: Education, Encouragement, Engineering, Enforcement, and Evaluation. For each of these elements, strategies and indicators of success or milestones are identified.
Prior to the completion of the Vision Zero Action Plan in October 2016, the following efforts were accomplishments in FY 2016:
- School Pedestrian Safety Program: 24 school presentations, 8 new school zone flashing beacons installed, 205 school zone flashers maintained, 210 school zone signs upgraded, 404 school zone crosswalks remarked
- 3 new Z-Crossings
- Launched New Vision Zero campaign called “It’s Your Life. It’s My Life.”
- 105 Outreach Events providing education and encouragement to emphasize self-accountability and responsibility for safety
ISSUE:
FY 2016 marked a significant spike in pedestrian fatalities, as well as all other modes of transportation, despite significant efforts undertaken by TCI towards Vision Zero. The table below summarizes the fatalities in San Antonio.
|
Year |
Vehicle |
Motorcycle |
Pedestrian |
Bicycle |
TOTAL |
|
2014 |
80 |
19 |
54 |
1 |
154 |
|
2015 |
80 |
25 |
46 |
3 |
154 |
|
2016* |
95 |
27 |
65 |
5 |
192 |
|
2015-2016 % |
+19% |
+8% |
+41% |
+67% |
+25% |
*As of January 4, 2017.
The increase in fatalities is not unique to San Antonio. National trends show an increase in total transportation related fatalities of 8% through the first nine months of 2016 according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration.
TCI will continue to work towards Vision Zero through the implementation of the Vision Zero Action Plan. Included in the FY 2017 Budget was $1 million for Vision Zero to continue education and outreach and implement eight to ten construction projects, such as enhanced pedestrian crossings. Also included in the FY 2017 Budget was $1 million for the continuation of the School Pedestrian Safety Program.
As part of the Vision Zero Action Plan and stewardship of the Vision Zero funding, TCI launched the Don’t Block the Box Pilot Program to improve intersection safety and mobility as well as begun a Severe Injury Corridor Study to identify high-risk areas.
Finally, included in the proposed 2017 Bond is $78 million for sidewalk improvements throughout all 10 districts to significantly improve pedestrian mobility in our city.
ALTERNATIVES:
This is a briefing only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a briefing only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is a briefing only.