Resources Insights Article INSIGHTS AUGUST 27, 2021 Vision Zero in Small Communities When I think of Vision Zero or the Safe System Approach (SSA), I’m reminded of a familiar Washington, D.C. corner that was recently transformed. It’s a great example of Vision Zero in action – vehicle speeds are slowed by design, walkers and bikers have safe spaces, risk is proactively removed from the system and the chances of a severe crash are greatly diminished. Many early adopters of this approach were major metropolitan areas, so common Vision Zero examples often look like this complete street. Common Vision Zero Example: An urban two-way street with buffered bike lanes, separated parking, narrow road widths, slow speeds and pedestrian crosswalks. However, pictures like this often do not resonate with small or rural communities. I grew up in rural Massachusetts, which has a population of about 45,000. It’s a community without millions of walkers and bikers, vehicle transport is the predominant mode of travel and there are not hundreds of severe crashes every day. Through this upbringing and project work in similar locations, I have learned that without comparable examples of Vision Zero, many small communities feel this approach is not for them. What practitioners are now realizing is Vision Zero and Safe System concepts come down to two things that are applicable everywhere: preventing transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries. Small communities are overcoming any preconceived notions that this initiative is only applicable to large cities and have started branding their efforts as Vision Zero. So, what does this approach look like in a small community? It includes a planning process, identification of realistic priorities and solutions, multimodal considerations, excellent relationships and the ability to put resources into proactive approaches. A Suitable Plan In small communities, it’s still important to use a process to visualize safety priorities and develop a plan to track them. However, the planning efforts do not need to be costly or time-consuming. They simply: 1. Bring people together to talk about the safety issues 2. Understand the key challenges 3. Identify solutions 4. Work together to implement results Small communities tend to have a small group dedicated to planning. A tight, agile team can be an advantage. They can identify key needs and implementation priorities quickly without a drawn-out planning process. Safety Priorities and Solutions Common elements in Vision Zero plans include high injury networks and active transportation solutions, but these may not resonate as well in small communities. Crash analysis may uncover safety concerns that are more in line with roadway departures, speed, impairment, unbelted drivers, young drivers and motorcyclists. These are all valid and important issues to include in a Vision Zero plan. The safety solutions in small communities will likely also look different from those found in common Vision Zero plans. Focusing strategies where resources can be shared, work can be donated in-house and good ideas can be “borrowed” from other communities will get the job done. Other options include using free National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) materials, prioritizing low-cost countermeasures first, or asking stakeholders to volunteer at community events. A visual of what Vision Zero can look like in smaller communities: slow speeds, narrow lanes and pedestrian infrastructure. Multimodal Considerations Small communities typically have fewer people walking, biking or riding scooters. However, these vulnerable road users are still a priority, so the conversation should focus on where people want to walk and bike to create safe spaces in those areas. These tend to be locations that are most important to the community: main streets, schools, trails, libraries and transit stops. My parents’ neighborhood in rural Massachusetts doesn’t have sidewalks, but with slow speeds and few vehicles, walking on the side of the road doesn’t feel unsafe. Resources can be focused on other safety priorities or active transportation needs elsewhere in the City. Leverage Tight Community Connections Growing up in a small community, I’m familiar with the tight bonds that flourish within it. These strong relationships develop between transportation staff and stakeholders and can help move safety initiatives forward. The planning and implementation processes are easier when you can call the mayor, call in a favor to get supplies or know whom to contact within a stakeholder group to keep them engaged. Another way to increase engagement in safety initiatives is to designate a champion with a strong network. A safety champion could be anyone passionate about safety - a parent, an elected official, law enforcement, planning staff and others. This person keeps the plan moving, obtains buy-in from community members and motivates them to join safety initiatives. Be Proactive Small community crash statistics are typically low, which is great! However, this can be interpreted to mean there is no safety problem. Reframing low-crash counts helps maintain energy surrounding safety efforts – it’s an opportunity to be proactive. Being proactive is a tenant of Vision Zero and the Safe Systems Approach. In small communities, the same maps used to identify severe crash locations can be used to discuss near miss locations. The additional conversation creates space for creativity on what a safer community could look like. Creating a vision for an improved quality of life, and encouraging people to keep crashes at zero, can generate excitement for the community’s future. Safety is a Way of Life Vision Zero and Safe Systems are always a challenge but can be especially burdensome to small communities. A simple plan, close relationships and investment in the community can drive these initiatives while emphasizing that safety is not a job, but a way of life. Community engagement will increase if stakeholders see a positive impact on their friends and neighbors, property values and an overall quality of life. Since many small communities are already near zero, keeping severe crashes even lower can be a source of pride and motivation. There is no time to delay in starting a safety plan to save lives. Every community can embrace a Vision Zero plan if they commit to safety, collaborate with stakeholders and create a game plan to identify and address safety issues. Join B&N on the mission toward zero deaths by contacting Nicole Waldheim. NICOLE WALDHEIM Transportation Safety Planning Lead RELATED CONTENT Transportation System Safety SHARE RETURN TO INSIGHTS 1.800.282.1761 WHAT WE DO OUR WORK RESOURCES WHO WE ARE CAREERS CONTACT STAY CONNECTED! © 2021 - Burgess & Niple, Inc. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy