Keeping walkers and bicyclists safe: Menlo Park’s Vision Zero
Published on February 07, 2024
Following robust public outreach and collaboration with partners in local schools, Safe Routes to School, law enforcement and emergency response, businesses and other stakeholders, the City of Menlo Park has completed the Menlo Park Vision Zero Action Plan!
Introduced to the United States ten years ago, Vision Zero is a road safety approach from Europe, which an increasing number of cities are implementing across the country. This article will explain what Vision Zero is and how the Menlo Park Vision Zero Action Plan will help realize the goals of Vision Zero across the City.
What is Vision Zero?
Vision Zero is a comprehensive strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries while increasing safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all. The fundamental philosophy behind Vision Zero is that no loss of life or serious injury on the roads is acceptable, and that such incidents are often preventable.
Vision Zero is a departure from the traditional approach to safety in three important ways:
- Vision Zero emphasizes “safety first,” prioritizing traffic safety over other transportation considerations.
- Vision Zero acknowledges that traffic deaths and serious injuries are preventable.
- Vision Zero requires a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together diverse stakeholders and community members to address the complex challenge of traffic safety.
What is the Menlo Park Vision Zero Action Plan?
The Menlo Park Vision Zero Action Plan serves as a blueprint to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040 through investment in infrastructure, education, emergency services, enforcement and culture change. It uses a data-driven approach that considers safety issues for all transportation modes including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and motorists.
The Vision Zero Action Plan includes:
- A detailed review of roadway collision data and trends.
- Identifying proven infrastructure investments, policies, and programs that address the City's key safety challenges.
- Developing an action plan to implement those projects, policies and programs over time
Vision Zero “Quick Build” Projects
The City is already implementing Vision Zero policies through "quick build" projects that use temporary materials, such as paint and bollards, to address immediate safety issues. Current quick build projects include:
- Menlo-University: Consolidating turn lanes on Menlo Avenue into a combined left/right lane and installing a high visibility crosswalk and curb extensions to shorten the crossing distance and make pedestrians more visible to turning vehicles.
- Alma-Willow: Consolidating lanes on Willow Road, adding a high visibility crosswalk and median for pedestrians and tightening the turning radius for vehicles turning from Alma Street.
Where can I access the Vision Zero Action Plan?
The Final Vision Zero Action Plan is available on the City’s website.