Vision Zero’s Enforcement Problem: Using Community Engagement to Craft Equitable Traffic Safety Strategies (brief)

Abstract

As traffic fatalities increase in America, cities are turning to a traffic safety framework called Vision Zero, which sets as a goal the elimination of all traffic-related injuries. Vision Zero plans are generally based on a set of strategies known as the “three Es”: education (of road users), engineering (of streets), and enforcement (of traffic laws). The focus on enforcement has drawn criticism from activists concerned about racially biased policing; researchers find that people of color are more likely than white people to be stopped by the police for traffic violations and are more likely to be searched after being stopped. This report analyzes the relationship between Vision Zero and racial justice. By talking to government officials and activists in four cities — Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago — the researcher identified major shortcomings of existing Vision Zero processes and developed a set of recommendations to help address these issues. Engaging a diverse group of stakeholders can lead to the adoption of Vision Zero plans that are conscious of racial equity. Furthermore, cities must support Vision Zero with funding, both to hire enough staff to conduct in-depth engagement and to compensate stakeholders for their time.

About the Project

Vision Zero, the dominant traffic safety framework in the United States, typically includes as a strategy increased enforcement of traffic laws. Activists concerned with overpolicing of communities of color are often skeptical of this strategy and have tried to push cities to minimize police involvement in traffic safety plans. To help planners understand this complex issue, my research will address the following question: “How have Vision Zero planning efforts addressed the relationship between traffic enforcement and communities of color?” People of color are disproportionately likely to be pulled over while driving, but planners continue to include traffic enforcement in Vision Zero plans. For this project I will interrogate the planning process through case studies of Vision Zero cities, interviewing planners, policy makers, and community members to address the following question: “How have Vision Zero planning efforts addressed the relationship between traffic enforcement and communities of color?”