February 25, 2025
Presenter: Jim Bittner, Interim Division Manager, Traffic Safety Division Leadership:
John Ristow, Director, Department of Transportation
Heather Hoshii, Deputy Director, Transportation Safety Operations and Parking Lt. Nqui Scherry, Police Department
Recommendations
2 (a) As recommended by the Vision
Zero Task Force on December 16,
2024, approve the 2025 Vision
Zero Action Plan.
(b) Adopt a resolution dissolving the
Vision Zero Task Force and
directing the Transportation and
Environment Committee to oversee
Vision Zero efforts within the City.
Vision Zero Background
3 • San José was the 4th U.S. city to adopt the Vision Zero concept in 2015. • Nationwide: Fatalities steadily increased (up 25% in the last 10 years). • San José: Fatalities increased at a slower pace (under 17% in the last 10 years) and decreased in recent years, from 65 in 2022 to 49 in 2023 and 2024. 32,893
32,744
35,484 37,806
37,473
36,835
36,355 39,007
43,230
42,514
40,990
30000
35000
40000
45000
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Nation-wide Traffic Fatalities
44 42
60 50
46 52
60 49
60 65 49
0 20
40 60
80 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Traffic Fatalities in San José
2025 Vision Zero Action Plan
4 • San José’s 4th Vision Zero Action Plan
• 5-year Action Plan kicks off 10th year
2025 Vision Zero Action Plan Key Updates
1. Federal Grant Compliance
2. Leadership Commitment and Goal Setting
3. Shift in Oversight
4. Safe System Approach
5. Expanded Priority Safety Corridors, Equity Focus
6. Priority Action Areas: Strategy and Project Selections
7. Greater Emphasis on Implementation
5 1. Federal Grant Compliance
Since the 2020 Vision Zero Action Plan, the 2021 USDOT National Roadway Safety Strategy created Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant – San Jose has won twice: $21.4M 2025 Vision Zero Action Plan brings City’s self-certification into one document • 8 Federally Required sections:
• Action Plan deadline: pass City Council by the end of April Unified Action Plan maintains and strengthens San Jose’s competitiveness 6 • Leadership commitment
and Goal Setting
• Planning Structure
• Safety Analysis
• Engagement and
Collaboration
• Equity Considerations
• Policy and Process
Changes
• Strategy and Project
Selections
• Progress and
Transparency
2. Leadership Commitment and Goal Setting
• 30 by 30: 30% reduction in fatal and severe injury (KSI) by 2030 • Zero by 2040: Eliminate fatal and severe injuries by 2040 7 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Fatalities 42 60 50 46 52 60 49 60 65 49
Severe Injuries 115 146 192 169 194 210 231 236 191 214 KSI 157 206 242 215 246 270 280 296 256 263
% of change +31% +17% -11% +14% +10% +4% +6% -14% +3%
There has been a 68% KSI increase over the last 10 years. In this context, a 30% reduction is an “ambitious” goal, as USDOT requires (equating to nearly 80 less KSI by 2030).
3. Planning Structure/Shift in Oversight
The San José Vision Zero Task Force spent 2024 developing the 2025 Vision Zero Action Plan through the June, October and December 2024 meetings.
Future implementation oversight and monitoring:
8 USDOT Grant Requirement text: Planning Structure
To develop the Action Plan, was a committee, task force, implementation group, or similar body established and charged with the plan’s development, implementation, and monitoring? San Jose Vision Zero Task Force
Transportation and Environment (T&E) Council Committee
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) -- guidance
4. Safe System Approach
Aligning with USDOT's and Caltrans’ lead beyond the "Traditional E’s” approach (Engineering, Enforcement, Education, Engagement, Evaluation), to embrace the Safe System Approach – emphasizing shared responsibility across silos, reducing kinetic energy through roadway redesign, and working proactively to identify and address risks
9 5. Expanded Priority Safety Corridors
The 2023 Updated Priority
Safety Corridor network
expanded from 3% to 6%
of San José’s roadways,
now covering 46% of fatal
and severe crashes and
extending the network from
70 to 150 miles.
10 5. Equity Considerations
11 Pedestrian and Bike fatal
and severe injuries cluster
New Focus Areas
Implement
Walk Safe San José
6. Priority Action Areas:
Strategy and Project Selections
12 Timeframe
Short term 1 – 2 years
Mid term 2 – 5 years
Long term 5+ years
7. Greater Emphasis on Implementation
Leveraging data inventory and analysis tools developed since 2020, the plan places a stronger emphasis on addressing severe injuries and supporting vulnerable road users, ensuring a targeted and effective response.
Ensuring a targeted and effective response:
• Before and After Studies: Evaluations of built projects to determine if they are reducing fatal and severe injuries, and propose post-implementation tweaks as needed
• Long-Term Strategy: Quick Build to permanent/capital installations 13 Recommendations
14 (a) As recommended by the Vision
Zero Task Force on December 16,
2024, approve the 2025 Vision
Zero Action Plan.
(b) Adopt a resolution dissolving the
Vision Zero Task Force and
directing the Transportation and
Environment Committee to oversee
Vision Zero efforts within the City.
Thank You!
15 For any questions, please contact
Jim Bittner, Interim Division Manager
[email protected]