Title
Resolution in Support of The Vision Zero Initiatives to Ensure Safe and Equitable Mobility for All on City of Hampton Roadways
Purpose
Vision Zero is a nationwide initiative through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that uses a safe system approach to reach zero death vision within our transportation system.
Creating a safety goal of vision zero is the first step to creating a citywide safety comprehensive action plan. Public Works is applying for a Safe Streets for All grant through the US Department of Transportation to assist in funding the creation of this plan. The purpose of the Safe Streets for All grants are to improve roadway safety by significantly reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries, which reflects Vision Zero, through safety action plan development, refinement and implementation focused on all roadway users, to include pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, public transportation and commercial vehicle operators. With this funding assistance, the city will be able to strengthen our approach to roadway safety and save lives. The Safe Streets for All grant will allow the city to apply for a planning and demonstration grant now and in future years we can apply for funding for an implementation grant to implement the strategies or projects created from the safety comprehensive action plan. The plan will then be available for all City Departments to utilize to achieve our common safety goal.
Rec
Several localities have endorsed Vision Zero within the State of Virginia and recommendation is to approve the resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, Vision Zero is a nationwide initiative through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that uses a safe system approach to reach zero death vision within our transportation system;
WHEREAS, Vision Zero is the concept that traffic deaths and serious injuries on our roadways are unacceptable;
WHEREAS, Vision Zero is a holistic strategy aimed at eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries suffered by all road users while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all on City of Hampton roadways; and
WHEREAS, streets and transportation systems have traditionally been designed primarily to move cars efficiently, and Vision Zero supports a paradigm shift by designing streets and transportation systems to move all people safely, including people of all ages and abilities, pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit users, scooter riders, and motorcyclists, as well as drivers and passengers of motor vehicles.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAMPTON, VIRGINIA that:
1. The City Council supports the Vision Zero initiatives, with the goal of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries on our roadways by 2050, stating that no loss of life or serious injury is acceptable on our streets and endorses Vision Zero as a comprehensive and holistic approach to achieving this goal; and
2. The City Manager or her authorized designee is hereby authorized to execute and deliver any and all documents necessary to carry out the purposes of this Resolution, subject to approval by the City Attorney.