What is Vision Zero?
Vision Zero is about saving lives on Alexandria's streets.
Vision Zero is a multidisciplinary, multi-national traffic safety concept that aims to achieve a transportation system with no deaths and serious injuries. It began in Sweden in 1997 and has since been adopted by other countries and cities around the world. The Vision Zero concept proposes that adopting communities recognize that traffic deaths and serious injuries are preventable through proper engineering, enforcement, evaluation and education. Thus, when communities adopt Vision Zero programs they are, in effect, rethinking traffic safety and setting programs and aggressive timelines to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries.
Vision Zero initiatives have been adopted by over 20 communities in the United States, including the District of Columbia and Montgomery County, Maryland. Vision Zero programs differ among communities in scale and approach but they all share some common elements including aggressive timelines to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries and the use of data-driven approaches to set strategic and measurable goals.
In April 2016, the City adopted an amendment to the Transportation Master Plan ( Pedestrian and Bicycle Chapter) that includes a strategy to evaluate traffic deaths and develop a Vision Zero program that outlines an action plan framework and necessary resources. The goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries in Alexandria also aligns with the City's Strategic Goal of protecting the safety, health and security of its residents, businesses, employees and visitors. On January 24, 2017, the City of Alexandria adopted the Vision Zero resolution endorsing the concept and instructing the City Manager to develop an action plan for future consideration by Council.
Take the Pledge
Safer streets for Alexandria starts with you. Take the pledge to become a safer driver, bicyclist and pedestrian and help us achieve Vision Zero.
Become a Coalition Partner
Safer streets will take the work of the whole community. Become a Coalition Partner and help us achieve Vision Zero. The City will work with partners to advance strategies, distribute information and provide periodic updates on the progress toward our goal of Zero.
What's New?
New Leading Pedestrian Intervals Installed as Part of Vision Zero Initiative
To increase traffic safety, City of Alexandria staff recently installed 17 new Leading Pedestrian Intervals in high crash intersections or corridors as part of the implementation of the City’s Vision Zero Initiative to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2028.
New "No Turn on Red" Restrictions to Be Installed as Part of Vision Zero Initiative
In Fall 2018, staff with the City's Department of Transportation and Environmental Services will begin installing new ‘No Turn on Red’ restrictions as part of the implementation of the City’s Vision Zero Initiative to improve safety on our streets.
City of Alexandria to Reduce Speed Limit on Portion of U.S. Route 1
As part of the Vision Zero traffic safety initiative, the City of Alexandria will reduce the speed limit on the Jefferson Davis Highway portion of U.S. Route 1 (between Slaters Lane and Four Mile Run) from 35 mph to 25 mph, effective Monday, August 20.
City Council Adopts Vision Zero Action Plan
On December 16, the Alexandria City Council voted unanimously to adopt the Vision Zero Action Plan, a guidance document that will help the City achieve its goal of eliminating all traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2028.
Vision Zero Action Plan
.PNG "VZ Cover 2")
The City released final versions of the
Vision Zero Action Plan and the Alexandria Police Department's
Traffic Safety Plan in December 2017. The City received nearly 200 comments on the plan and 86% of people who viewed the plan supported it. The development of this plan highlights the City's commitment to providing safe streets for all users and reducing fatalities and severe injuries on the roadways. The Action Plan outlines how the City will achieve Vision Zero by 2028. The final plan was adopted by City Council on December 16. For more information, visit the
Vision Zero Action Plan page.
Vision Zero Crash Dashboard
Alexandria's Vision Zero Crash Dashboard is a way for the community to view the City's crash data and track progress toward zero. The dashboard includes an interactive map that can be used to sort crashes by type, year and outcome.
- View the Vision Zero Dashboard
- Read the full data analysis
Community Engagement Process
More than 1,000 residents, visitors, employees, and business owners were engaged in the Vision Zero Action Plan process. Learn more about how public input informed, and continues to inform both the plan and its implementation.
Resources
To learn more about traffic safety, the history of Vision Zero, and to review Vision Zero Action Plans from other jurisdictions, please review the resources below:
Action Plans
| New York City | San Francisco |
Boston
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| Seattle | Los Angeles |
Austin
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| Eugene | Cambridge | Bellevue |
Vision Zero Background
- Vision Zero Network
- Vision Zero Network - Moving From Vision to Action: What Will it Take to Reach Vision Zero?
- Vision Zero Initiative - Swedish Vision Zero Website
- Washington Area Bicyclist Association - Vision Zero
- Dangerous by Design - Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition
- Achieving Multimodal Networks Applying Design Flexibility & Reducing Conflicts - Federal Highway Administration
- Safety Study: Reducing Speeding-Related Crashes Involving Passenger Vehicles - National Transportation Safety Board
Contact Information
- For more information please contact Christine Mayeur, Complete Streets Coordinator, Transportation, T&ES, at christine.mayeur@alexandriava.gov .
- For media inquiries, contact Craig T. Fifer, Director of Communications and Public Information, at craig.fifer@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3965.