Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe and healthy transportation. First implemented in Sweden in the 1990s, Vision Zero is being prioritized across Europe and many cities in the United States.
The TPA Governing Board adopted targets of zero traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries first in February 2018 and has annually renewed this commitment in subsequent years. This concept, known as “Vision Zero,” promotes a culture of safety grounded in six key principles:
- Traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries are preventable and unacceptable
- Human life takes priority over mobility
- Human error is inevitable, so the transportation system should allow for it to happen without death or serious injury
- A system-level approach to safety should be adopted to effect change
- Safe human behaviors, education, and enforcement are essential contributors to a safe system
- High speed is a primary cause of traffic death and serious injury; it should be managed with sensitivity to vulnerable road users
Thank you to our Vision Zero Communities in Palm Beach County!
Resources
The VZAC serves in an advisory capacity to the TPA Governing Board to advance those elements of the TPA’s Vision Zero Action Plan oriented around pedestrian and bicycle safety and to address other matters and concerns when directed by the TPA. Visit the VZAC Committee webpage.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) established the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) competitive grant program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years, 2022-2026. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries. Almost $2 billion is still available for future funding rounds.
Locally, $14 million has been awarded to 11 cities and Palm Beach County. These grants are primarily to develop Comprehensive Safety Action Plans to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities. VZAC coordinates actions across municipalities and advises the Governing Board on safety-related matters.
The VZAC receives periodic updates from the TPA on the status of SS4A grants, this information is posted below:
The TPA held a SS4A Roundtable Workshop on April 4, 2024, to bring together SS4A grant awardees and potential applicants to share lessons learned, provide SS4A plan development updates, and discuss applying for implementation grants. The workshop recording and presentation materials can be found below:
- TPA Vision Zero Resolution Template – Use this to set your community safety goals and targets.
- TPA’s Online Mapping Website – view data to support safety and Vision Zero efforts here.
- TPA Social Media Toolkit
- Palm Beach County Local Road Safety Plan (PDF, 2019)
- FDOT’s Crash Data Guidance document (PDF) – provides an overview of obtaining crash data for analysis. You can also reach out to the TPA for assistance
- FDOT offers a Campaign Calendar focused on safety with resources for social media, print materials, and more!
- The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Vision Zero Toolkit – created this resource provides communities, organizations, and advocates with tools and resources to advance Vision Zero.
The Florida Department of Transportation routinely conducts road safety audits (RSAs) for state roadway segments within Palm Beach County. Many of the recent RSAs are provided below:
- Lake Worth Rd. from W of Military to E of Congress – August 2019 (PDF)
- US-1 (Broadway Ave) from 45th St. to 59th St – August 2019 (PDF)
- A1A (Ocean Blvd) Bridge from E. Camino Real to Beach Club Way – April 2017 (PDF)
- A1A (Ocean Blvd) from Boca Highland Beach Club to Northern Highland Beach Limit – April 2017 (PDF)
- SR-704 Okeechobee Blvd/SR-704 from Vista Parkway to Stafford Ave – October 2016 (PDF)
- Boynton Beach Blvd. from SR-7 to Lyons Rd – March 2015 (PDF)
- SR-704 Okeechobee Blvd/SR-704 from Florida Ave. to Rosemary Ave – October 2015 (PDF)
- I-95 fr. Glades Rd. to Congress Ave – November 2015 (PDF)
To support its commitment to Vision Zero, the TPA adopted a Vision Zero Action Plan on April 18, 2019, and an updated version on October 16, 2021. Each year, the TPA evaluates progress on the plan’s actions and considers updates to the plan. See the 2024 Progress Report.
The TPA’s Vision Zero Action Plan Culture Action 3.1 commits to providing quarterly reviews of fatal and serious injury pedestrian and bicycle crashes. This action helps the TPA provide more timely and effective recommendations for high-crash areas and the community by documenting potentially unsafe locations and conditions.
2023 Pedestrian and Bicycle Quarterly Crash Reports:
I PLEDGE TO HELP REACH “VISION ZERO” IN PALM BEACH COUNTY
- I will use “Crash” to describe a traffic-related incident
- I will encourage others to use this language
- I will not be distracted while driving
- I will not speed while driving
- I will do my part to not cause traffic-related fatalities or serious injuries
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