Over the last 10 years, there have been 87 pedestrian fatalities and 327 traffic fatalities in Washoe County. The Vision Zero Truckee Meadows (VZTM) task force was assembled in October 2017. In April 2018, task force members gave a presentation to the Sparks City Council highlighting the goals of the task force and work that had already been completed.The foundation of the VZTM is to explore a different approach to eliminate pedestrian fatalities in Washoe County.  The task force, with the support of local leaders, has made a commitment to take action on bringing the number of fatalities on our roadways to zero.

The VZTM task force is a regional partnership focusing on pedestrian safety in our community. To date, the task force membership includes staff from the cities of Sparks and Reno; Federal Highway Administration; members of the public; Nevada Department of Transportation; Nevada Highway Patrol; Office of Traffic Safety; Reno Bike Project; Reno & Sparks Chamber of Commerce; Renown Hospital; University of Nevada, Reno; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Washoe County; and Washoe County School District.The task force has set the goal to eliminate pedestrian traffic fatalities by 2030 in the region and has created an action plan with objectives to make this goal achievable.  

In compiling the VZTM Action Plan, the task force utilized regional crash data including in-depth pedestrian fatality and serious injury data within the focus areas of Downtown Sparks, University of Nevada, Reno, Midtown and West 4^th Street.  The goal of the task force is to use data from these four focus areas and apply them to other areas within the Truckee Meadows.  Pedestrian survey data that was collected in 2018-2019 was utilized to create measurable outcomes in the Plan.

The Vision Zero Truckee Meadows Action Plan includes three main components:

• Programmatic/Task Force Collaboration
• Growing the regional task force and being accountable for the Action Plan and website
• Street Design/Infrastructure Improvement
•   Working regionally to address pedestrian safety with an approach that will improve safety for all road users
• Community Engagement/Outreach
  • Expanding our culture of safety through community education and awareness

The task force established the Plan by creating equitable, data-driven, and transparent actions and decisions to improve safety throughout our community.  By working together to make roads and sidewalks safer for pedestrians, we make our roads safer for everyone.

The Vision Zero Network works to advance Vision Zero across the U.S. with the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries among all road users.  The Vision Zero Network helps communities learn about what Vision Zero is and how it differs from the traditional approach to traffic safety.  It also helps communities move from vision to action through its core principles:

• Traffic deaths are PREVENTABLE
• Integrate HUMAN FAILING in approach
• Prevent FATAL AND SEVERE CRASHES SYSTEMS approach
• Saving lives is NOT EXPENSIVE

The VZTM task force is seeking resolutions from the RTC Board, City of Sparks and Reno City Councils, and Washoe County Commission in order to demonstrate the region’s commitment to improving safety throughout our community. With regional endorsement an application to be recognized as an official Vision Zero Community will be submitted to the Vision Zero Network in September.

1. City Council may approve the resolution endorsing the Vision Zero Truckee Meadows Action Plan.
2. City Council may reject the resolution and provide direction to the City Manager.

I move to approve Resolution No.3351 endorsing the Vision Zero Truckee Meadows Action Plan and support of the goal to eliminate pedestrian deaths in Washoe County by the year 2030 as presented by staff.