Vision Zero

Zero is the only acceptable number

Vision Zero starts with the premise that all traffic fatalities and serious injuries are preventable. A Vision Zero Action Plan outlines a holistic approach, encompassing multiple city departments, to eliminating all traffic fatalities in a set period of time. It requires a focused, multi-pronged approach to leadership, enlisting tools across multiple City Departments.

UPDATES:

March 2024: Mayor Gainey formally commits to eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries at a press conference. Councilwoman Barb Warwick introduced a resolution to back up the announcement with some first steps.

December 2023: The Federal Government awards the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission a grant to develop a Vision Zero Action Plan with the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.

May 2023: Editorial in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review – Scott Bricker: Pittsburgh should commit to achieving zero traffic deaths by 2035

Pittsburgh Needs Vision Zero

Approximately 20-25 Pittsburghers die every year traveling our streets. About a third of these deaths every year are pedestrians. Between 2010 and 2020, we lost 200 Pittsburghers to traffic violence, 55 of whom were walking, with another six people who were on bicycles.

These deaths are preventable.

In a city where nearly 25% of households do not own a motor vehicle, working toward zero traffic deaths, with a focus on equity and pedestrian dignity, aligns with the vision outlined first in Mayor Gainey’s inspiring transition plan, and as of March 2024, with a formal commitment to eliminate fatal crashes, albeit without a set target date.

See our Snapshot of Pittsburgh Walking and Bicycling Trends and Statistics.

These deaths and injuries are preventable, and many cities across the country have committed publicly to end traffic fatalities by a target date. Pittsburgh, like other cities our size, can achieve this milestone. Committing to zero deaths is good policy and demonstrates to residents that if we work together, create a plan and dedicate funds and additional personnel to improve our streets, then eventually no Pittsburgher will have to deal with losing a loved one while they were traveling or recreating on our streets. 

Over the past decade, Pittsburgh averages 4,234 reported crashes per year. A person walking is hit every 34 hours.

This philosophy is often called “Vision Zero,” “Road to Zero” or “Toward Zero Traffic Fatalities,” and uses a Safe System Approach to engineering — a proactive method to slow cars on our streets and carve out more space for biking, walking, and transit. 

Traffic crashes affect a significant percentage of Pittsburgh residents. According to a recent poll (Lake Research Partners 2021) one-quarter of Pittsburgh voters say that they themselves have been injured in a crash, while two-thirds say they know someone who has.

Secretary Pete Buttigieg agrees, and has developed a National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) with five elements to address what he calls a “national crisis:” safer roads, safer people, safer vehicles, safer speeds, and better post-crash care. But the federal government needs local municipalities to also do their part, namely by designing roads and intersections in ways that encourage drivers to drive safely and at a speed that’s appropriate, and allocating more protected space for pedestrians and bicyclists.

To assist cities toward the goal of zero traffic deaths, Secretary Buttigieg stated that USDOT is looking to fund local visions and local plans. “Part of what we’re announcing is hundreds of local planning grants, each of which will be tailored to the needs of the particular community,” as long as they are pursuing a goal of zero traffic deaths. As Secretary Buttigieg says, “No one thinks zero can happen overnight, but we’ve seen when cities aim for zero, they start getting closer to it.” Additionally, formally adopting a policy and creating an Action Plan will open the city up to even more funding opportunities.

Mistakes are made, whether it is behind the wheel, walking, or biking. But those mistakes shouldn’t cost anyone their life. 

What Pittsburgh is doing.

The foundation is in place on which to build a strong vision zero policy and program. This foundation consists of the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, the Complete Streets Policy/program, the Traffic Calming Program, the Bike(+) Plan, DOMI’s laudable guiding principles, research, and hard work transforming our streets, and a strong and vocal community that supports this work.

The City will focus energy on the High Injury Network, which will guide investments. Half these High Injury streets are owned by the state and managed by PennDOT.

Updates to the Vision Zero plan will be hosted on the City’s Complete Streets Advisory Group Engage Page.

Existing Plans & Policies towards Vision Zero

Existing City Programs towards Vision Zero