Another city - Redwood City - aims for Zero Traffic Fatalities

What is Vision Zero: Vision Zero is an international movement and a data-driven strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. It is a philosophy that rejects the notion that traffic collisions are simply  “accidents” but instead preventable incidents that can and must be systematically addressed.

SVBC has a Vision Zero goal (0 traffic fatalities and major injuries) for everywhere within San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties with an emphasis on areas with the most collisions and low-income communities and communities of color.  

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Redwood City, similar to many other cities in the region and nation, suffers from a high number of traffic collisions. Based on the analysis completed for the Redwood City 2020 Transportation Monitoring  Report, between 2010 and 2018, more than 9,800 collisions happened in Redwood City (with an annual average of 1,094) of which, 7.5% (738 collisions) involved pedestrians and bicyclists.

Redwood City’s 2018 Transportation Plan, RWCMoves includes the strategy: “Develop and adopt a strategic plan to meet the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries for all modes by 2030.” To further this goal, the city started planning for RWC Walk Bike Thrive: a Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan and Vision Zero Action Plan. In 2020, staff received funding through two separate grant programs for the same and the joint planning effort started in April 2021. The mission of the Vision Zero Action Plan is:

 “To  utilize  data-driven  methods  to  systematically  address  the  primary  collision  factors  at  high injury  corridors  and  locations  in  Redwood  City  through  engineering  solutions  and  roadway improvements, public education, and traffic law enforcement.”

On June 28th, 2021, the City Council had a study session which provided background information and planned community outreach activities to develop both plans including formation of a Vision Zero Task Force and Coalition. 

Vision Zero Task Force: The task force will include staff from various City departments, related County of San Mateo departments, and schools districts. A key role of the Task Force would be to shape the Vision Zero Action Plan, to reflect the local needs during the planning process, and to identify strategies that will be both effective and implementable.

Vision Zero Coalition: The Task Force also will be involved in creating a Vision Zero Coalition with representatives from various stakeholders  groups  such  as  Parent-Teacher  Associations  (PTAs),  Silicon  Valley  Bicycle  Coalition,  Senior Affairs Commission, Youth and Teens Advisory Board, SamTrans, etc. The Vision Zero Coalition will bring a broader vision to the initiative and will inform the City of any neighborhood related traffic safety issues and needs of specific community groups.

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The Vision Zero Action Plan would be based on three E’s: Engineering, Education and Enforcement. SVBC does not encourage enforcement as a solution and we defer to examining alternatives to traditional types of traffic enforcement until there is a means to achieve equitable enforcement. Read more here.

Equity will play a major role in project identification and prioritization. The Plan also aims at involving underserved communities as a part of this process. Several  studies  have  shown  that  underserved  communities  are  more  likely  to  be  disproportionately impacted by infrastructure deficiencies and traffic enforcement. We’d like to put extra emphasis on the equity consideration and the engagement of these communities such that their voice is heard and needs are addressed.

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Timeline:

• Existing conditions review: May and June 2021

• First round of community outreach (includes both on-line and in-person options) : June-August 2021

• Second round of community outreach (includes both online and in-person options): September-October 2021

• Project identification and prioritization for Vision Zero Action Plan and Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan: August- November 2021

• Cost estimates: November 2021

• Development of the draft and final Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan: January-February 2022

• Development of the draft and final Vision Zero Action Plan: February – March 2022

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How can you get involved?

• Public workshops: The city is conducting two virtual public workshops for the RWC Walk Bike Thrive project. Check here for further details as the date approaches.

  • Tuesday, July 27, at 6 pm

  • Saturday, August 7, at 10 am

• Survey: The City has created a brief survey to hear residents’ concerns, ideas and suggestions regarding walking, biking and traffic safety. The survey is open through Sunday, August 15, 2021. ​

• Pinnable map: The city has also created a pinnable map, where you can post location-specific (and general) comments. The map is also open through Sunday, August 15, 2021.