Traffic Fatalities

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Ann Kitchen
Posts: 294
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2015 4:04 pm

Traffic Fatalities

Post by Ann Kitchen »

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This post is to share information about traffic fatalities:

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Last week’s traffic fatalities in our community again spotlighted the tragic rise of pedestrian and auto related fatalities. I would like to take this opportunity to report to you on some of the efforts bring undertaken to reverse this alarming trend.

First, as Chair of the Mobility Committee, along with my colleagues on the Mobility Committee, we have scheduled a briefing to not only examine the information we have, but to also report on efforts, both proposed and implemented, to address this critical public safety issue. The September 2nd Mobility Committee Agenda will include briefings by the Austin Transportation Department as well as by the Vision Zero Task Force, which is committed to implementing a proven approach to reducing transportation-related injuries and saving lives (to learn more about Vision Zero, please visit the webpage at http://www.austintexas.gov/department/v ... task-force).

In the meantime, I wanted to make everyone aware that the Austin Transportation Department has embarked on a variety of efforts to try to turn around the rise in pedestrian and other traffic related fatalities in Austin. These efforts include the following immediate, short and mid-term actions:
- On an immediate basis, our Arterial Management Division (AMD) has assembled several other ATD Divisions and APD representatives to analyze the fatal crashes that have occurred this year so we can address these root causes. AMD will complete a Consolidated Mobility and Safety Plan starting in fiscal year 2016, funding permitting.

- Our Active Transportation Division is currently finalizing a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan which articulates a strategy for improving the safety of people walking through education, engineering and enforcement measures. This is expected to be completed in the Fall.

- Our Complete Streets Program and Active Transportation Division are co-leading an effort initiated by Mayor Adler’s office called the Mayor’s Challenge for Safer People, Safer Streets, which joins Austin with over 200 other US cities committed to making our streets safer for everyone. The Austin Transportation Department is taking the lead on implementing those challenges in partnership with five other Departments: Planning and Zoning, Public Works, Watershed Protection and Health and Human Services and the Austin Police Department.

- Our Engineering Division is currently analyzing intersections and proposing improvements as part of a comprehensive Transportation Safety Improvement Program. As part of this effort, ATD will conduct detailed safety studies at crash-prone locations, identify safety issues and propose/initiate cost-effective engineering solutions to address the identified safety need at those locations. Detailed safety studies are planned for five top-ranked locations each year, starting in 2016.

- Finally, nine City of Austin Departments are working together to address traffic safety holistically through enforcement, education and engineering under the Vision Zero Task Force which will present recommendations to the Mayor and Council later this year. The goal of the Vision Zero Task Force is to help create an environment that maximizes safety at every opportunity for travelers.

Each premature ending of a life in a collision is a tragedy for our community that we can’t ignore. As we continue to find many more drivers on our city’s streets, we will continue to look to our experts to help address the issue. Meanwhile, we can help each other by reporting dangerous conditions, driving carefully, and as the old saying goes, “looking out for the other guy.”
Ann Kitchen
Council Member District 5