MTC, Vision Zero working for safer streets

Traffic injuries are on the rise nationwide. As part of a national initiative known as Vision Zero, MTC is working to establish policies and programs that make the Bay Area’s streets safer for everyone.

Several Bay Area cities — including San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Fremont, Berkeley, Menlo Park and Lafayette — have already adopted Vision Zero policies to reduce fatalities and injuries. The County of Contra Costa and Contra Costa Transportation Authority have, too. MTC’s regional approach encourages coordination, data sharing and technical assistance to address this safety issue that crosses city and county borders.

The MTC Regional Safety/Vision Zero Policy establishes a strategy that supports equitable and data-driven action toward eliminating traffic deaths and serious vehicular injuries in the Bay Area by 2030.

MTC has developed the Bay Area Vision Zero System (BAYVIZ), a Safety Data Dashboard Generator that provides cities and counties with safety-related figures and analysis tools. This dashboard enables local agency staff to create custom traffic safety analyses, and identify strategies to reduce traffic deaths. Additional planned enhancements and system tools are expected to roll out by the summer.

In addition to tools like BAYVIZ, MTC provides technical assistance to local governments that includes:

• Reliable safety data
• Analytical toolkits
• Funding advocacy

The Bay Area Vision Zero Working Group is an MTC-led panel that includes members from local government, transit agencies, advocates and academia. Together, the group is working toward making streets safer for everyone in the Bay Area.