Vision Zero: Building Safer Streets In Kansas City

From the City of Kansas City:

May 13, 2021

In the next year, residents will see safety improvements on Kansas City streets thanks to the City’s new Vision Zero initiative. City Manager Brian Platt and Transportation Director Jason Waldron announced the Vision Zero strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries on KCMO roadways by 2030 while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. These infrastructure improvements are focused on the following:

1. Intersection improvements at 6 pilot locations based on high crash and injury rates
2. Traffic signal upgrades at 50 locations citywide to improve pedestrian safety—this involves installing Lead Pedestrian Intervals or LPIs, which give pedestrians a few seconds of lead time before cars can move through the intersection
3. Protected Bike Lanes connecting over 30 miles of street surfacing over the next two years
4. Speed humps at 50 locations in neighborhoods that submitted past requests
5. Intersection video detector for bicyclists and other mobility devices at a pilot location.
6. Traffic calming measures, including guidelines and options available to residents to slow traffic on neighborhood streets.
7. Clear communication channels wherein residents can request safety improvements and the city can share information and progress.
8. Vision Zero Action Plan that integrates these practices into every aspect of planning, design and engineering.

In response to the 20% rise in traffic crash fatalities and serious injuries in KCMO over the last 10 years, City Council in May 2020 adopted a Vision Zero resolution to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. Since then, a multi-disciplinary task force made up of KCMO staff, councilmembers and community partners met to assemble the framework for a Vision Zero plan.

"After seeing a concerning increase in traffic related fatalities and injuries over the past decade, I am proud that we are taking action to redesign our streets to be safer, more intuitive, and friendly for all Kansas Citians, no matter their means of transportation. Through Kansas City government’s Vision Zero initiative, we are working to expanding ease of mobility in every neighborhood—so our residents can feel safe whether they choose to drive, walk, bike, or utilize public transportation to get around. Kansas City's public infrastructure will continue to evolve to meet the everyday needs of our community, and we will continue working hard to ensure that in the future, no lives are lost to preventable traffic accidents."

“For Kansas City to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries we must think big by reimagining our entire transportation network. When streets are safe for Kansas Citians of all ages and physical abilities, we will see our communities truly thrive,” said Councilmember Eric Bunch. “Catching the bus, walking to school, biking with friends, and going for a jog can be safe and enjoyable no matter what neighborhood you live in. Vision Zero is a path to making this reality.”

"Vision Zero is our opportunity to address the scourge in traffic violence in Kansas City in a meaningful way," said Michael Kelley, Policy Director for Bike Walk KC. "There have been far too many lives lost, families shattered, and communities forever altered by these crashes. We look forward to working with partners inside and beyond City Hall to achieve the goal of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries."

“This comprehensive and strategic approach will help us rapidly address the alarming rise in traffic crashes and eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on our streets,” Platt said. “This plan will also make our streets safer and more accessible for all road users particularly pedestrians, cyclists, and anyone with mobility limitations.”

“We are already doing a lot of great things to improve our multimodal transportation system like building Complete Streets, installing KCMO’s first two-way cycle track, extending the KC Streetcar and supporting neighborhood traffic calming projects,” Waldron said. “Vision Zero will build on those efforts and reframe the work we are already doing to ensure we are making our streets safer for everyone.”

Vision Zero encourages a fresh look at the way we design, build, evaluate and experience our streets. The initiative will be an ongoing effort with continued, intentional and strategic coordination between City departments, integration with existing projects and practices, and community engagement to better understand the safety challenges on our streets.

We would like your feedback on Vision Zero:

• Take our Vision Zero Engagement Survey
• Provide your feedback or ideas on our Vision Zero Engagement Map

To learn more about KCMO’s Vision Zero efforts or view the project map, visit: KCMO.GOV/visionzero

Media questions can be directed to Maggie Green, Public Works, Public Information Officer at 816-379-6562.

This press release was produced by the City of Kansas City. The views expressed here are the author’s own.