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Vision Zero

Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. First implemented in Sweden in the 1990s, Vision Zero has proved successful across Europe — and now it’s gaining momentum in major American cities. It is a key element to creating a Future Ready® transportation system.

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Impactful Projects

Advancing the Core Issues

Vision Zero distinguishes itself from traditional road safety approaches by focusing solely on fatalities and serious injuries, drilling down on those issues through acknowledgment of human error and the sharing of road system responsibility between users, designers and decision-makers who influence the planning, design, operation and maintenance of the road transportation system. Vision Zero has emerged as a new perspective on road safety—intended to address traffic fatalities and serious injuries as a public health issue.

The main pillars of Vision Zero include:

  • Zero is the only acceptable number of deaths within our transportation systems.
  • Humans fail, design shouldn’t. System designers are responsible for the design, operation and use of the road transportation system and are thereby responsible for the level of safety within the entire system. Road users are responsible for following the road transport system rules set by its designers. If users fail to comply with these rules due to a lack of knowledge, acceptance or ability, the system designers are required to take the necessary further steps to counteract people being killed or injured.
  • Collaboration between various levels of government, public services, private industries and others engaged in the planning, design and operations of transportation systems is the key to successful implementation.
  • Collaboration with police, fire and EMS first responders in addition to road users and society in general is essential.
  • The advancement of Vision Zero must focus and rely on a data-driven approach and evidence-based best practices.

Funding for Road Safety Improvements

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s $5 billion Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) federal grant program represents a monumental opportunity for projects aimed at eliminating traffic injuries and fatalities, especially in historically marginalized communities. WSP’s Vision Zero Webinar Series explores how Vision Zero can help to create action plans that address disparities in traffic safety and promote equitable outcomes for communities. Learn about the types of projects that were awarded grants by the USDOT, requirements for these projects and way WSP works with clients to capture this funding.

At the Forefront of a Global Movement

WSP partners with cities, states, transit agencies, planning organizations and the federal government in achieving their road safety goals. We assist clients with:

  • Establishing targets, strategies and policies
  • Preparing action plans
  • Conducting safety audits
  • Collecting data and analyzing statistics
  • Designing roads and streets
  • Designing cycling, pedestrian and public transit infrastructure
  • Designing safe and sustainable residential developments

Vision Zero represents a new direction that is taking road safety to another level. The concept can be tailored to any road environment to support greater mobility, a better quality of life and thriving communities.

Support for Vision Zero across disciplines

Explore how intelligent transport systems (ITS) can become part of the Vision Zero road safety solution. Viewing each intelligent transport system within a broad context—considering people, processes, infrastructure, vehicles, technology and associated data—is already standard practice in some parts of the world but a relatively new concept in others. Read the series that explores the application of the ITS whole-system approach in support of Vision Zero. 

Read the ITS-Vision Zero articles

Vision Zero On-Demand Webinar Series

WSP’s Vision Zero webinar series will cover several important topics related to traffic safety and Vision Zero. We'll discuss how Vision Zero can help to create action plans that address disparities in traffic safety and promote more equitable outcomes for communities. Discover similar projects in communities around the U.S. – and around the world – that have focused on equity, community engagement and data-driven decision making.

Intro to Vision Zero

This opening session features an overview of Vision Zero, including its principles and goals, and explores how it can help to create safer and more equitable streets and roads for all. Attendees will learn the basics of Vision Zero, WSP’s commitment to Vision Zero and our global work on achieving Vision Zero.

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How to Apply WSP’s Vision Zero Handbook to Your Projects

Learn about the practical application of WSP’s Vision Zero Handbook, including its principles and guidelines to create safer streets, as well as the benefits of using this framework for projects aimed at promoting equity and improving street safety.

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Equity and Vision Zero: Climate Change and Multimodal Overlaps

This session explores the connections between Vison Zero, equity and climate change. Attendees will learn how prioritizing active transportation and transit on Vision Zero projects can not only improve safety but also reduce carbon emission, promote more equitable access to transportation and improve overall quality of life in our communities.

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International Best Practices

Attendees will learn about successful approaches and lessons learned from other cities and countries that have implemented Vision Zero programs, and how these practices can be adapted to help achieve safety and equity goals in the U.S.

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Vision Zero Analytical Methods

WSP is employing advanced analytical methods to understand traffic safety. Attendees will learn about cutting-edge techniques and tools for analyzing traffic data, identifying patterns and trends and developing targeted interventions to improve safety outcomes and promote more equitable access to transportation.

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Bay Area Vision Zero: Dashboard and Data Tools

This session will focus on the Bay Area Vision Zero data dashboard that WSP created for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in the San Francisco Bay Area. Attendees will learn about the dashboard's features, how it was developed, and how it can be used to track progress against Vision Zero goals, identify high-risk areas and inform decision-making to improve street safety.

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Omaha Vision Zero Plan: A Culture of Safety

Creating a culture of safety is an integral part of the Omaha Vision Zero Action Plan. Attendees will learn about the strategies and techniques used by WSP to engage with city staff and community stakeholders, build momentum for Vision Zero and make lasting changes to the way the city thinks about and prioritizes street safety.

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Insights

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Achieving Vision Zero Road Safety

Saving Lives Strengthens Communities
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What If Road Transport Engineers Champion Vision Zero?

Our experts explore ways transport engineers can apply Vision Zero in their road infrastructure projects.
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Meet Our Leaders

Jennifer Pangborn
Transportation Planning Manager
LocationUnited States
Contact
Andrew Ceifetz
Vice President, Advisory and Practice Lead for Highway Safety Policy
LocationUnited States
Contact