Mixed-methods approach to describing Vision Zero initiatives in United States’ municipalities

• Published in: Accident analysis and prevention Vol. 184; p. 107012
• Main Authors: Evenson, Kelly R., LaJeunesse, Seth, Keefe, Elyse, Naumann, Rebecca B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2023
• Subjects: Accident prevention; Accidents, Traffic - prevention & control; Benchmarking; Cities; COVID-19; Humans; Qualitative research; Safe systems; Safety management; Traffic deaths; United States; United States; COVID-19; Qualitative research; Traffic deaths; Safety management; Accident prevention; Safe systems; MPO; US
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2023.107012
• ISSN: 0001-4575

•Vision Zero uses a Safe Systems perspective to reduce fatalities and serious injuries from road traffic crashes to zero, while increasing healthy, equitable, and safe mobility for all.•Current and prospective Vision Zero stakeholders might benefit from greater vertical integration of their Vision Zero planning with Metropolitan Planning Organizations, state, and federal safety programs.•Municipalities may benefit from guidance on the acquisition and analysis of a range of traffic safety-related data, and methods to authentically engage diverse community members toward prioritizing Vision Zero investment.•Traffic safety investment will require dedicated and sustained funding and resources to fully implement Vision Zero in communities. Vision Zero (VZ) aims to reduce fatalities and serious injuries from road traffic crashes to zero through a Safe Systems approach. Little is known about the extent of uptake of VZ in the United States (US), or the attributes and functioning of the initiatives. Using a mixed-methods design, our objectives were to describe the status of VZ implementation and characteristics of those initiatives among US municipalities. Websites of all US municipalities with a population of at least 50,000 (n = 788) were searched to identify involvement in VZ. When initiatives were identified, we abstracted information from their website and other published documents, using a comprehensive framework of best practice VZ components. From the VZ initiatives identified, we interviewed representatives from 12 municipalities with diversity by region of the country, population size, and VZ implementation. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded for themes. Through systematic web-based searching, we identified 86 of 788 (10.9%) municipalities with a VZ initiative. Among 314 larger municipalities (population >=100,000), 68 (21.7%) were identified. Among 476 medium-size municipalities (population of 50,000–99,999), 18 (3.8%) were identified. VZ initiatives began as early as 2014, starting with larger municipalities, and followed in 2015 with medium-size municipalities. Among the VZ initiatives, 58 (67.4%) recorded a vision statement, with 51 (59.3%) setting a target year to reach zero deaths. Thirty-nine (45.3%) had published VZ plans, with another 22 (25.6%) working towards a plan. Twenty-five initiatives (29.1%) shared resources across stakeholder groups, such as funding or staff. Forty-six initiatives (53.5%) had an established coalition, and 18 (20.9%) proposed or were developing a coalition. Twenty-six initiatives (30.2%) provided regular updates or evaluation on progress towards performance metrics, but only 4 (4.7%) had implemented a performance management system to regularly track progress on VZ-related actions. The interviews provided further context and a more detailed understanding of results. Documenting the characteristics of VZ initiatives among US municipalities can contribute to an understanding of current practice, potential opportunities to support ongoing initiatives, and information to assist new initiatives. Ultimately, the impact of municipal-level VZ efforts should be evaluated with regards to traffic-related serious injuries and fatalities.