DeepSummary
The podcast episode discusses Vision Zero, a road safety approach aimed at reducing traffic fatalities to zero. Adopted in several U.S. cities like New York, the program's goal seems ambitious, as traffic deaths have increased by 30% nationwide since its implementation a decade ago. While some cities have seen success, others struggle with pushback against measures that slow down traffic.
Leah Shaham, founder of Vision Zero Network, explains that cities often lack the willpower to prioritize safety over speed, facing opposition from residents and drivers. However, advocates argue that proven strategies like lowering speed limits and redesigning streets can effectively reduce fatalities when implemented properly.
The episode highlights Jersey City as a success story, where Mayor Stephen Fulop and Director of Infrastructure Barca Patel employed tactical urbanism tactics like extending curbs and adding bike lanes. Though initially met with resistance, these changes helped the city achieve zero traffic deaths on redesigned streets for a full year.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Vision Zero, a road safety approach aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities, has seen mixed results a decade after its implementation in U.S. cities.
- While some cities have successfully reduced fatalities through measures like lowering speed limits and redesigning streets, others face challenges due to lack of political will and pushback from residents and drivers.
- True commitment to prioritizing safety over speed and convenience is crucial for Vision Zero's success, rather than mere symbolic gestures.
- Tactical urbanism, such as Jersey City's approach of extending curbs and adding bike lanes through flexible, low-cost interventions, can effectively reduce fatalities when implemented properly.
- Opposition to Vision Zero often stems from concerns about losing parking spaces, slower commute times, and a general reluctance to slow down traffic.
- State regulations can also hinder cities' efforts to implement Vision Zero measures like lowering speed limits.
- While nationwide traffic fatalities have increased since Vision Zero's adoption, some areas like Jersey City and Hoboken have achieved zero deaths on redesigned streets.
- Distracted driving, larger vehicle sizes, and other factors have also contributed to the overall rise in traffic fatalities, in addition to speeding.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “The main reason that communities are failing. There's not the will to make changes that are, in the end, probably going to slow people down driving, and there's probably going to be pushback.“ by Leah Shaham
- “If you just do a resolution and say we are supporting Vision Zero, you could expect no results from that. You got to really be dedicated to it. But if you are committed to it, you will save lives.“ by Stephen Fullop
- “At first, it's the city itself saying we have to be very, very flexible and nimble and treat our streets as living, breathing things that are not just static. We can't treat our transportation problems like things that require years and years of planning and millions of dollars.“ by Barca Patel
- “We've not anywhere in the US truly committed to a real vision zero shift.“ by Leah Shaham
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Episode Information
Consider This from NPR
NPR
2/4/24
It has now been 10 years since U.S. cities began to adopt the approach known as Vision Zero.
NPR's Joel Rose reports on what has worked and what hasn't.
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