Vision Zero

The City of Alexandria has adopted Vision Zero with the goal of eliminating all traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2028. Vision Zero is a multidisciplinary, multi-national traffic safety concept that aims to achieve a transportation system with no deaths and serious injuries.

Page updated on Dec 29, 2021 at 2:24 PM

Vision Zero Logo

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 40 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. On December 16, 2017, City Council adopted the Vision Zero Action Plan. 

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?

International Association of Chiefs of Police Celebrates Safety Partnership in Alexandria

Learn more about how the City's Department of Transportation & Environmental Services partners with the Alexandria Police Department and other stakeholders to improve roadway safety for all users.

Speed Limit Reduction on Seminary Road

In December 2021, the City reduced the speed limit on Seminary Road between I-395 and the City Limit from 35 mph to 25 mph. This follows a unanimous recommendation by the City's Traffic & Parking Board in October to reduce the posted speed limit in response to repeated fatal and severe crashes on this section of the corridor. The likelihood of a person being killed or seriously injured when struck at 35 miles per hour is significantly higher than if that person is struck at 25 miles per hour. Slower speeds can save lives and support the City's Vision Zero goal of eliminating fatal and serious injury crashes.

Year 4 (2021) Vision Zero Priorities

Staff is currently working on implementing engineering priorities for 2021. A progress report will be available in early 2022.

Year 3 (2020) Progress Report now available

2020 was the third year of Alexandria's Vision Zero initiative, read about our progress at the link above.

Traffic Signal Viewer 

T&ES staff is working on a mapping effort to document all signals and signs in the City to help staff and residents. Visit the signal viewer here.

New Traffic Safety Laws for Virginia

1. Drivers to STOP for People Crossing: Drivers must stop and remained stopped for a people crossing at any marked and unmarked crosswalk until the person has passed the lane where the driver has stopped. More information: Virginia Code § 46.2-924  

2. Vulnerable User Law: Any driver that causes serious injury to or death of a vulnerable street user due to carelessness or distraction can be charged as a Class 1 Misdemeanor. Drivers are no longer allowed to use a bicycle lane to pass another driver or bypass traffic.  Vulnerable users are people in wheelchairs, walking, biking, skating, riding horses or other animals, and those in animal-drawn vehicles, as well as those using electric scooters, electric bikes, and electric boards. More information: Virginia Code § 46.2-841  

3.  Amendments to Passing Rules: Drivers are now allowed change lanes to pass any bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle proceeding in the same direction if they are not able to give 3 ft minimum of safe passing distance. Anyone riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle may now legally ride no more than two abreast. More information: Virginia Code § 46.2-839 and § 46.2-905

New Leading Pedestrian Intervals Installed as Part of Vision Zero Initiative 

New "No Turn on Red" Restrictions to Be Installed as Part of Vision Zero Initiative.

City of Alexandria to Reduce Speed Limit on Portion of U.S. Route 1

City Council Adopts Vision Zero Action Plan 

Vision Zero Action Plan

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. 


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

 
CITY OF ALEXANDRIA PROGRESS REPORTS
See the progress made on Alexandria's Vision Zero Implementation at the links below:

CALENDAR YEAR VISION ZERO YEAR
2018

  Year 1 Progress Report
2019

  Year 2 Progress Report
2020

  Year 3 Progress Report 

        

Vision Zero Background

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:

Contact Information

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