Local Road Safety Plan & Vision Zero Action Plan

Why Consider a Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) or Vision Zero Action Plan (VZAP)?

Key reasons for developing a LRSP/VZAP – as described below – include:

• Provides a framework for systematically addressing safety issues in a given jurisdiction with context-specific physical and programmatic solutions;
• In the case of a VZAP, provides a clear safety goal for the community and jurisdiction staff to target;
• Adoption of a LRSP increases opportunities to access funding for roadway projects, such as funding through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP); and
• Supporting the jurisdiction’s designation as a Connected Community Priority Development Area (CC-PDA), if adopted in concert with a Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Action Plan (BPIAP) .

What is a Local Road Safety Plan/Vision Zero Action Plan?

Local Roadway Safety Plans (LRSP) and Vision Zero Action Plans (VZAP) are focused on improving pedestrian and bicycle safety, and provide a framework for identifying, analyzing and prioritizing roadway safety improvements on local roads.

The plan development process is tailored to local issues and needs, and leverages a system-wide, data-driven analysis of collisions to generate a prioritized list of issues, risks and countermeasures that can be used to reduce fatalities and serious injuries. Some communities prefer to employ Vision Zero strategies to establish safety targets and implement safety plan improvements – in which case, the plan may be referred to as a Vision Zero Action Plan.

Core elements of LRSP/VZAP development include, but are not limited to:

• Collision database development and proactive analysis of local collision data
• Identification of high-risk locations and collision patterns
• Identification and prioritization of system-wide safety improvements; prioritization should identify “quick-build” or other types of rapid implementation projects that can be accomplished, along with longer-term countermeasures
• Development of metrics to help secure funding to address key safety issues identified in plan
• (Optional) Use of Vision Zero goals and strategies to achieve safety improvements

A LRSP is required to be eligible for future federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding.

Additionally, jurisdictions interested in pursuing a CC-PDA designation may use a LRSP/VZAP and complementary BPIAP to satisfy the required vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction planning with an active transportation focus. The LRSP/VZAP would guide development of the BPIAP by designating high-injury networks, collision profiles, and priority countermeasures to drive project selection and recommended near-term actions in the BPIAP.

Key Planning Steps

The steps to develop a safety plan are listed below. Refer to the LRSP/VZAP Policy Development Guide for more detailed guidance.

1. Establish leadership and clarify plan objectives
   • Identify a champion
   • Convene a working group
   • Identify and contact stakeholders
   • Decide whether to pursue a LRSP or VZAP
   • Coordinate program
   • Develop a vision statement and goals
   • Gain leadership support
2. Solicit consultant services (optional)
   • Develop and release an RFP (LRSP/VZAP Request for Proposals (RFP) Template)
   • Review proposals and select a consultant
   • Finalize the contract
3. Develop the plan
   • Develop an engagement plan (LRSP/VZAP Engagement Plan Guidance)
   • Collect data and/or facilitate access to data sources
   • Review existing plans and policies (LRSP/VZAP Policy Review Worksheet)
   • Conduct the technical analysis (see scope of work included in the LRSP/VZAP Request for Proposals (RFP) Template)
   • Develop presentations to support community engagement and council action (LRSP/VZAP Presentations Worksheet)
   • Draft staff reports to support council action (LRSP/VZAP Staff Report Guidance)
4. Evaluate and update the plan
   • Evaluate the plan
   • Update the plan
5. Implement the improvements (see BPIAP Resource Page)
   • Identify grant opportunities
   • Review the current Capital Improvement Plan

Sample Documents

In addition to the guidance linked in the key planning steps above, the following sample documents are provided:

• Sample LRSP Reports
• Sample LRSP Staff Reports
• Sample LRSP Resolutions