Vision Zero | Our top-to-bottom review provides a roadmap and new actions to reverse challenging trends in traffic safety - SDOT Blog

2023-02-26 09:25:56 By : Ms. Linda Yang

Blog stats: 1,200 words | 7-minute read

While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ranks Seattle’s streets as some of the safest in the United States, there are still more than 10,000 crashes a year resulting in an average of 28 fatalities and 180 serious injuries. Pvc Tarpaulin Material

Vision Zero | Our top-to-bottom review provides a roadmap and new actions to reverse challenging trends in traffic safety - SDOT Blog

Conducting a review was the first order of business for Mayor Harrell and Director Spotts after Spotts’ confirmation.

The review focuses on how we can deliver safety interventions with demonstrated effectiveness in locations where they are most needed. All recommended strategies and tactics are intended to inform further work to align funding, policies, procedures, and activities within a Safe System framework to support Vision Zero.

“Every Seattle resident should be able to feel safe getting where they need to go. This review and the concrete actions that follow reaffirm our One Seattle commitment to safety, as we work relentlessly to get back on track to reaching our Vision Zero goals. We’re transforming our streets to promote walkability and a people-first transportation system, one rooted in safety and equity, where neighborhoods most impacted and historically underserved receive the support and improvements they deserve.”

“On my first day as SDOT Director, I commissioned this top-to-bottom review to identify how we can strengthen the Vision Zero program to save lives. The findings and recommendations in the review will help SDOT prioritize safety across our entire agency, with a focus on underserved communities, pedestrians, cyclists, and people with mobility challenges. Our five early momentum actions, coupled with implementing $30 million in projects funded by the federal Safer Streets grant, will create safer and more welcoming neighborhoods and boulevards.”

– Seattle Department of Transportation Director Greg Spotts

These five momentum-building actions will be in addition to the recently announced traffic safety improvements in underserved neighborhoods funded by a $25.6 million “Safe Streets and Roads for All” grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This federal funding will be combined with at least $5.1 million in local funds to build infrastructure such as new sidewalks, ADA-accessible curb ramps, protected bike lanes, crossing improvements, and more. The grant will fund safety projects in the Rainier Valley, SoDo, Downtown, and U District neighborhoods. You can read more in our original grant proposal or this previous blog post.

“With a new Mayor and SDOT Director, we now have concrete plans to improve the safety strategies to buck the negative statewide trend and substantially reduce traffic fatalities in Seattle. I appreciate the Harrell Administration proactively combining this top-to-bottom internal review with an initial boost in federal dollars for solutions. I believe Seattle should more quickly expand automated camera enforcement because we know it works and more quickly bring people inside because those experiencing homelessness have been collision victims at an alarming rate. I look forward to expediting any legislation needed to implement these strategies for improved safety in Seattle.”

– Councilmember Alex Pedersen, Chair of Transportation Committee

We’re sharing the top-to-bottom review now to engage with elected officials, stakeholders, and you – the traveling public. Public feedback will help inform our Vision Zero Action Plan update, the Seattle Transportation Plan development, and other efforts in 2023 and beyond. The entire department will continue to prioritize improving traveler safety for everyone – especially for the most vulnerable travelers – as our top focus.

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Vision Zero | Our top-to-bottom review provides a roadmap and new actions to reverse challenging trends in traffic safety - SDOT Blog

Urethane Rubber Sheet The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is on a mission to deliver a transportation system that provides safe and affordable access to places and opportunities for everyone as we work to achieve our vision of Seattle as a thriving, equitable community powered by dependable transportation.