Title
Adoption of Vision Zero Strategy Resolution for the City of Phoenix (Resolution 21995)
Description
Request City Council approval of a resolution to adopt the Vision Zero strategy for the City of Phoenix and incorporate Vision Zero goals into the Comprehensive Road Safety Action Plan.
Report
Summary
On Jan. 25, 2022, City Council was provided with an update on the development of the Street Transportation Department's Comprehensive Road Safety Action Plan (RSAP) to improve safety on Phoenix roadways. The City Council approved Phoenix to become part of the Vision Zero Network and incorporate Vision Zero into the goals of the RSAP. The proposed resolution provided as Attachment A adopts the Vision Zero strategy with the goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities on Phoenix roadways.
Road Safety Action Plan
The RSAP will be a comprehensive safety plan applying a data-driven, decision-making process to identify and prioritize transportation safety improvements with a “Four E's” approach (Evaluation, Education, Engineering, and Enforcement). Phoenix's existing efforts on the RSAP closely align with the framework of a Vision Zero Action Plan, with its emphasis on meaningful community engagement, equity, and data-driven, systems-based strategies to improve road safety for all Phoenicians.
Vision Zero Network
The Vision Zero Network is a U.S.-based non-profit organization that advocates for cities to adopt the core philosophy of Vision Zero: that traffic-related deaths and serious injuries are preventable. The Vision Zero Network recognizes cities that take action adopting this approach to road safety as a "Vision Zero Community." One of the key steps toward this recognition is a political commitment to adopt the goal of eliminating all traffic-related deaths. To date, fifty-one cities in the United States have been recognized by the Vision Zero Network.
Financial Impact
There is no financial impact to the City for adoption of this resolution.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Citizens Transportation Commission:
- Recommended City Council approval of the development of the RSAP on Jan. 28, 2021, by a vote of 15-0; and
- Received an update on the RSAP on Oct. 28, 2021.
The Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee:
- Recommended City Council approval for the development of the RSAP on Feb. 3, 2021, by a vote of 4-0.
The Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee:
- Received an update on the RSAP on Oct. 20, 2021, with a request to provide a recommendation to Council regarding the Vision Zero strategy.
The City Council:
- Approved the development of the RSAP, completion of near-term projects, and additional staffing resources on March 2, 2021; and
- Received an update on the development of the RSAP and approved moving forward with the Vision Zero strategy and incorporation of Vision Zero goals into the RSAP on Jan. 25, 2022, by a vote of 7-2.
Public Outreach
Street Transportation Department staff developed a Public Involvement Plan, which established an interactive website featuring a community engagement survey that will remain live through February 2022, and interactive participation in citywide and Council District-specific meetings. The first citywide virtual meeting was held on Nov. 16, 2021, and the following Council-hosted public meetings were held or have been scheduled to date:
- Virtual meeting on Dec. 2, 2021 with Council member Guardado;
- In-person coffee talk on Dec. 8, 2021, and virtual meeting on Feb. 1, 2022 with Council member Stark;
- In-person coffee talk on Jan. 28, 2022 with Council member O'Brien;
- In-person community event on Feb. 12, 2022 with Council member Ansari;
- Virtual coffee chat on Feb. 16, 2022 with Vice Mayor Pastor;
- Virtual meeting scheduled for Feb. 24, 2022 with Council member Garcia.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Street Transportation Department.