Vision Zero Aims to Eliminate Traffic-Related Deaths
Rockville and Montgomery County are taking steps toward Vision Zero, an initiative with the goal of eliminating traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by designing safer streets, improving traffic law enforcement and increasing public education and outreach.
A Montgomery County Council resolution introduced last year launched the county’s effort to develop a two-year Vision Zero action plan. The county’s plan sets a date by which to achieve zero deaths, defines activities for county agencies to take to implement the plan, and recommends policy changes at state and local levels. Boston, New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., have each adopted Vision Zero. The county held a meeting last month to discuss its efforts.
In 2016 in Montgomery County, seven pedestrians and three bicyclists died in traffic-related crashes, according to the county’s Department of Transportation.
The Washington Region Vision Zero Summit, on March 31 in Washington, D.C., brought together transportation planners and engineers, researchers, safety advocates and public officials to discuss how to build public support for the initiative and how to reach the goal.
Implementation of a plan for Rockville is a priority initiative for Rockville’s Mayor and Council. “Vision Zero is a great goal to strive for and many of the recommended traffic safety concepts are already applied, when practicable, in Rockville,” said Oleg Kotov, a senior transportation planner with the city who attended the summit. “The strongest aspect of Vision Zero is that it provides a fundamental philosophy for a systematic approach to transportation planning and street design. We are looking forward to reviewing the countywide Vision Zero Action Plan being developed by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation and modifying it for implementation in Rockville.”
For more information, contact Oleg Kotov at [email protected] or 240-314-8527.