Portland’s adoption of Vision Zero in 2015 began with a data-centric approach to curtailing vehicle-related deaths. Portland identified a ‘High Crash Network’—the 30 most dangerous streets and intersections responsible for 65% of deadly crashes (although comprising 8% of the total street grid—to concentrate efforts. Four streets within the network were targeted for the instillation of speed safety cameras in 2016. The cameras led to a 59% reduction in vehicle speeding (85% reduction in top-end speeding).

Almost half of Portland’s traffic-related deaths involve alcohol impairment, so the Portland Bureau of Transportation partnered with city police, local bar owners, and ride-share and taxi companies for Safe Ride Home, an initiative meant to reduce the number of drivers under the influence. Safe Ride Home provides ride-vouchers during high alcohol consumption days. From 2017-2019 the program was successful in removing close to 10,000 would-be drunk drivers from roadways.

References:

• Safe Ride Home
• 2018 Crash Report Portland
• 2-year Vision Zero Update
• Portland Vision Zero Website

In 2015, Oslo’s city government signed a declaration to reduce automobile traffic and increase the share of cycling and transit mobility. This declaration led to sweeping city-wide changes in policy as part of their Car-free Livability Program. Tolls for entering the city increased by 70%, and parking fees were increased city-wide. Over 700 on-street parking spaces were removed and transformed into 37 miles of new cycling infrastructure and pocket parks. Ta Car-free “Hjertesoners”, or heart zones, were established around primary schools to protect children. The city center car ban went into effect in 2019, allowing only delivery and transit vehicles and parking for the disabled within the square-mile city core. These policies contributed to Oslo having zero pedestrian, cyclist, or child auto-related deaths in 2019.

References:

• Car Free Livability PDF
• Oslo Zero Pedestrian Deaths
• 2-year Vision Zero Update

Mexico City is a largely car-oriented city of 20 million residents. The City spent 73% of its federal transportation dollars over 30 years on car-oriented infrastructure. As part of the City’s commitment to improve mobility through an integrated, safe, and sustainable system, a new mobility law was approved in 2015. The law’s approval marked a paradigm shift toward pedestrian-focused infrastructure and a change in mobility culture. The new law established a mobility hierarchy, which promoted pedestrian, cyclist, and public transportation mobility over private auto-focused mobility. The Ministry of Transport and Roads changed its name to the Ministry of Mobility. This cultural shift also included adopting Vision Zero CDMX to deter the loss of human lives caused by traffic crashes. Mexico City’s Vision Zero Action Plan identified 22 goals and 43 actions from mobility and road safety audits to reducing speed limits. Mexico City decreased the number of traffic collision casualties by 18.3% in approximately two years.

References:

• Changing Culture to Save Lives: Mexico City’s Bold Commitment to Vision Zero

NYC’s Vision Zero program has completed close to 500 street improvement projects since its adoption in 2014, leading to a 33% reduction in traffic deaths from 2013-2018. One successful initiative is the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) “Great Streets” program. $250 million in capital funds were dedicated to safety and infrastructure improvements along four arterial roads: Queens Boulevard, the Grand Concourse, Atlantic Avenue, and Fourth Avenue. Queens Boulevard received $100 million for protected bike lanes, pedestrian islands, and road diets. Once known as the “Boulevard of Death” where pedestrian fatalities averaged near 9—peaking at 18 in 1997—Queens Boulevard saw zero pedestrian fatalities between 2014-2017.

References:

• NYC Year 5 Report
• Funding to Overhaul Streets
• NYC Engineering Initiatives
• Traffic Deaths Record Low
• NYC Vision Zero Website

Part of Helsinki’s near-zero traffic fatality rate in 2019 (zero pedestrian or cyclist and only 3 motorist) is attributed to city officials drastically reducing speed limits throughout the city. In 2018 an ordinance passed to reduce speed limits in the city center and residential areas to 30km/h (18.6 mph), 40km/h (25 mph) on city main streets, and 50 km/h (31mph) on suburban main streets. Personal automobiles comprise 20% of the mode share for all trips in Helsinki, much in part due to an expansive 745-mile network of protected bike paths well maintained in all seasons.

References:

• Zero Pedestrian Deaths 2019
• Bicycle Account 2019