VISION ZERO ACTION PLAN 

Vision Zero is a comprehensive strategy to reduce and eventually eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries through a data-driven approach that ensures safety for all road users. Since starting in 1997,  Vision Zero has been adopted by counties throughout the world and more than 50 American cities as of August 2022. 

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Five key principles ​

• Traffic deaths and severe injuries are preventable.

• Human life and health are prioritized within all aspects of transportation systems.

• Human error is inevitable, and transportation systems should be forgiving.

• Safety work should focus on systems-level changes above influencing individual behavior.

• Speed is recognized as the fundamental factor in crash severity.

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Vision Zero is also a technical mindset to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain our roadway  networks so that the risk of fatal and severe injury crashes is reduced to zero based on Federal Highway Administration's Safe System Approach for Roadway Safety. The guiding principles based on U.S. Department of Transportation's National Roadway Safety Strategy are: death and serious injuries are unacceptable, humans make mistakes, humans are vulnerable, responsibility is shared, safety is proactive, and redundancy is crucial.

 

The aim of Vision Zero is to reduce traffic related deaths and serious injuries to zero.

 

 

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The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has committed to eliminating fatalities and serious injuries on the nation's roadways using a data-driven interdisciplinary approach modeled after Vision Zero; and, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), followed by Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), has adopted the goal of moving towards zero deaths on the roadways with a focus on using proven effective strategies and countermeasures. ​

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Following the actions that the FHWA, Caltrans, and MTC have taken towards zero deaths on roadways, the city is in the process of adopting Vision Zero policies and implementing Vision Zero strategies at a local level, which will take a comprehensive and data-driven approach to address traffic-related deaths and severe injuries. The ultimate goal is to reduce and eventually eliminate traffic fatalities and severe inquires, promote safe mobility for all road users, and foster a safe, healthy, and inclusive city. 

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From 2010 to 2019, the City of Livermore witnessed a concerning number of incidents on city streets resulting in 24 fatalities and 108 severe life-changing injuries. 76% of these incidents occurred at or near intersections. The primary collision factors for such incidents were traveling at unsafe speeds and driving under the influence. Also, 74% of such incidents were pedestrian-related, with pedestrian actions contributing to 30% of these incidents. Addressing pedestrian and bicyclist safety, as well as speeding concerns, has been highlighted as a priority by the community. 

 

The goal of Livermore Vision Zero is consistent with the city's 5-year Strategic Plan which includes the Goal 10 to maintain a safe and efficient local transportation network and address safety concerns. It is also in compliance with the city's General Plan and the Active Transportation Plan. The city's General Plan emphasizes the importance of safe, efficient comfortable and convenient mobility for  all ages, abilities and identities, and the planning for complete streets that support all transportation systems. The Livermore Active Transportation Plan provides a comprehensive framework supported by policies, data, and programs aimed at enhancing walking, biking and trails systems throughout Livermore. 

 

In addition, the Vision Zero plan is required for state and federal funding programs such as the FHWA Safe Streets and Roads Safety Improvements Grants, One Bay Area Grant (OBAG), and others.