New plan sets the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities in the City and County by 2050

In 2024, the City of Pittsburgh committed to eliminating road traffic fatalities and series injuries, a policy popularly known as Vision Zero. Achieving this ambitious goal requires a holistic approach and a plan, using tools such as education, cross department coordination, changes to our streets, and data.

BikePGH was excited as it was the third major safe streets policy initiative that we began pushing for back in 2014. The first two were a Complete Streets Policy, adopted in 2016 and a new Bike Plan, adopted in 2020.

These deaths are preventable

In a city where nearly 25% of households do not own a motor vehicle, working toward zero traffic deaths is an achievable goal. It goes without saying that each fewer fatality represents a loved one whose family was not torn apart by traffic violence.

Zero Compromises on Safety for All

Today, the City and County, with the assistance of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, and in coordination with PennDOT District 11 and the Pittsburgh Regional Transit, released their first Allegheny County Comprehensive Safety Action Plan at a news conference outside Kennywood Park along Route 837 in West Mifflin, outlining how they plan to achieve zero traffic fatalities.

Also notable is that they are committing to accomplish this goal by a specific date: 2050.

SPC Executive Director Rich Fitzgerald said “In Allegheny County, 79% of severe crashes occur on just 9% of roadways. Over the last five years, 339 lives have been lost and 1,757 people were seriously injured on roads in Allegheny County. The plan designates a High Injury Network and a list of priority corridors where targeted safety investments will be concentrated.” A study led by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission found that 79% of those fatalities and serious injuries occurred on only 9% of the roads.

While the previous announcements made a general commitment, this is the first time that a target date has been set. 

Vision Zero is based on the Safe System Approach, which follows several guiding principles to provide a holistic safety strategy for all forms of transportation. It incorporated proactive, preventative improvements to roadway design, focused on enhancing safety for all road users.

This plan identifies a High Injury Network in the County, and identifies 10 priority corridors, including the aforementioned Kennywood Blvd, as well as Butler Street in Lawrenceville and Penn Ave in Point Breeze, among others. While these projects would need to go through a full planning and design process, listing them in a formal document increases their chances of acquiring funding and attention.