Bellevue's Vision Zero initiative aims to eliminate traffic deaths and serious-injury collisions on city streets by 2030. The Vision Zero Strategic Plan outlines how the city will achieve that goal.
Milestones
- In December 2015, the City Council passed a resolution providing a framework to pursue Vision Zero.
- In December 2016, the City Council passed an ordinance adopting Vision Zero amendments into the city's Comprehensive Plan.
- In June 2020, the City Council passed a resolution approving the Safe Systems approach and strategies to move Bellevue towards Vision Zero.
- In December 2020, the Vision Zero Steering Team sent the Vision Zero Strategic Plan to the City Manager for approval.
- Also in December 2020, the City Council approved a Vision Zero program for funding in the 2021-2027 capital budget.
Background
Vision Zero originated in Sweden in the 1990s, and its principles have since been adopted by numerous countries worldwide and cities nationwide. The movement is founded on the belief that deaths and serious injuries on city streets are unacceptable and preventable. In 2020, more than 38,600 people were killed in crashes on roadways in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, so the potential for saving lives is great.
Safe Systems
The Safe Systems approach involves a new way of thinking about street safety. It is founded in the belief that death and serious injuries on city streets are preventable; they are not accidents. Crashes result from a set of design, infrastructure, and systemic issues, not just road user behavior.
The Bellevue Safe Systems approach is a way to organize the Vision Zero effort. It rests on four pillars (Safe Speeds, Safe People, Safe Vehicles, and Safe Streets) paired with four supportive elements (Data, Leadership, Partnerships, and Culture). This holistic approach accepts that people will make mistakes and that crashes will continue to occur, but it aims to ensure these do not result in serious injuries or fatalities.
Progress reporting
The City of Bellevue is committed to tracking progress toward its Vision Zero goals related to all eight elements of the Safe Systems approach. For example, Bellevue has developed a collision dashboard that allows for interactive searching of fatal and serious injury collisions on Bellevue streets over a 10-year period. For information about progress on other efforts, visit the Progress Reporting page.
