Title
Resolution Adopting Vision Zero Greensboro Action Plan and Commitment to Vision Zero Greensboro
Body
Department: Transportation
Council District: All
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Adam Fischer, 373-2861
Contact 2 and Phone: Tyler Meyer, 373-2254
PURPOSE:
The Greensboro Department of Transportation requests a City Council approval of the Vision Zero Greensboro Action Plan. The Action Plan lays out the goals, objectives, and strategies for the Vision Zero Greensboro initiative. The Department is also requesting City Council commitment of support for the Vision Zero Greensboro initiative. The Vision Zero initiative will establish ongoing interdepartmental and interagency partnerships, engage stakeholders and the community, comprehensively analyze roadway safety, and implement the Vision Zero Greensboro Action Plan to substantially reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries with a long-term vision of zero. A resolution needs to be approved to adopt the action plan and demonstrate support of the initiative.
BACKGROUND:
Roadway crashes continue to lead to unacceptable numbers of fatalities and serious injuries in the City of Greensboro, the state, and the nation. Based on research, GDOT has found the Vision Zero framework used in a variety of US and international locations provides the City its best opportunity to improve transportation safety and reduce the number of roadway fatalities and serious injuries. Previously, City Council approved a resolution to commit to a Vision Zero initiative and to direct the development of a Vision Zero Action Plan for the City of Greensboro on March 20, 2018.
GDOT retained VHB, a consultant with extensive safety and Vision Zero experience, to assist with development of the Greensboro Vision Zero initiative and Action Plan. Over the last year VHB and GDOT staff have met with various stakeholders including GPD, NCDOT, State Highway Patrol, Guilford County Sheriff, Guilford County Health Department, Universities, City Departments, Businesses, and others. The development of the action plan included the forming of working groups, which focused on three areas:
• Speed and Keeping Drivers Alert
• Run Off the Road and Protection All Users
• Protecting Vulnerable Users
The process also included analysis of safety trends and factors in Greensboro and public outreach. The action plan will guide the implementation of an ongoing, sustained implementation effort integrating engineering, enforcement, emergency services, education/ encouragement, and public policy.
Next steps include identifying a diverse executive committee to guide Vision Zero Greensboro and work group members to help implement the initiative. The success of Vision Zero Greensboro will require the sustained and committed support of City Council, the Mayor, and the City Manager’s Office and a long term, integrated, and interdepartmental effort by the City. It will also require close interagency collaboration with stakeholders, funding support for full implementation, a data driven and system based approach, and community engagement.
BUDGET IMPACT:
VHB has been contracted to complete initial phases of the program development for $92,677. The funding has been encumbered from the current FY18-19 transportation-operating budget for this contract. Additional funding will be required in the future for full implementation of Vision Zero Greensboro.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The Greensboro Department of Transportation recommends the City Council approve attached resolution approving the Vision Zero Greensboro Action Plan and committing to full implementation of a Vision Zero initiative.