To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2231
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Sonoma County Vision Zero Action Plan
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a resolution adopting the Sonoma County Vision Zero Action Plan.
end
Executive Summary:
In October 2019, the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) launched a Vision Zero planning process in partnership with the Sonoma County Department of Health Services (DHS). This planning process was funded by a Caltrans Sustainable Communities Planning Grant, and included SCTA and DHS staff as well as members from all ten jurisdictions within Sonoma County, (including the County), as well as non-profit organizations, community members, and public health and safety agencies.
On March 14, 2022, SCTA Board of Directors adopted the final Vision Zero Action Plan (VZAP) and participating agencies are now being asked to adopt the VZAP. Adoption of the VZAP will increase the County's eligibility and competitiveness for future Federal and State grant opportunities and will support numerous General Plan goals including reducing traffic accidents and hazards, providing for safe bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities, and reducing greenhouse gases. Other ongoing initiatives in the County, including Safe Routes to School programs and the Local Road Safety Plan are supportive of the Vision Zero goal. Adopting a Vision Zero Plan supports the County's ongoing efforts to provide safe and equitable modes of transportation for all and ensures that these strategies and priorities continue to be implemented moving forward.
Discussion:
Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries among all road users and to ensure safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. First implemented in Sweden in the 1990s, Vision Zero has proven successful across Europe, and is now gaining momentum in major American cities. Vision Zero's approach to traffic safety is based on the premise that traffic deaths are preventable through an improved roadway environment and policies that lessen the severity of crashes. It is a proactive, comprehensive, and data-driven approach that prioritizes transportation and mobility safety as a public health issue. Speed management, safe and equitable mobility for all modes of transportation, and the prioritization of community engagement are key elements of a Vision Zero strategy and plan. Vision Zero represents a commitment to specific actions that are organized into six high-level goals:
1. Create Safer Speeds
2. Eliminate Impaired Driving
3. Create a Culture of Safety
4. Build Safe Streets for All
5. Make Vehicles Safer and Reduce Private Vehicle Use
6. Improve Data for Effective Decision Making
Using these principles as a foundation, the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) and the Sonoma County Department of Health Services (DHS) established the Vision Zero Advisory Committee (VZAC) in October 2019. VZAC was funded by a Caltrans Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and included SCTA and DHS staff as well as members from all ten jurisdictions within Sonoma County, (including the County), as well as non-profit organizations, community members, and public health and safety agencies.
During the ensuing planning process, extensive community engagement was conducted which included two countywide surveys, three focus groups, a community workshop, and 37 stakeholder interviews involving local jurisdictions, transportation agencies, community organizations and law enforcement. Findings from the surveys, focus groups, and interviews were incorporated into the Draft Action Plan which was presented for discussion and input at a public workshop held virtually on January 25, 2022. After incorporating feedback from the workshop and various community organizations, the Sonoma County Vision Zero Action Plan (VZAP) was approved by the SCTA Board for approval on March 14, 2022.
After reviewing the VZAP, Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) is recommending adoption of the VZAP for the following reasons.
1. It will increase the County's eligibility and competitiveness for future Federal and State grant opportunities.
2. It supports numerous General Plan goals including reducing traffic accidents and hazards, providing for safe bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities, and reducing greenhouse gases.
3. Ongoing County initiatives including Safe Routes to School programs and the Local Road Safety Plan are supportive of the Vision Zero goal.
4. Adopting a Vision Zero Plan supports the County's efforts to provide safe and equitable modes of transportation for all and ensures that these strategies and priorities continue to be implemented moving forward.
Failure to adopt this Resolution will jeopardize future grant funding opportunities for safety improvements on County roads.
Environmental Review:
This action does not constitute a "project" within the meaning of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines Section 15378 and is also exempt under CEQA Guidelines 15262 (planning or feasibility studies). Therefore, no environmental review is required. Future project-specific environmental review will be conducted as required.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Healthy and Safe Communities
Goal: Goal 3: Continue to invest in critical road, bridge, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Objective: Objective 3: Invest $5 million by 2024 on new pedestrian and bicycle facilities and adopt maintenance guidelines on roads to consider bicyclists and pedestrians.
Prior Board Actions:
None.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There is no direct fiscal impact as a result of this Board Action. Future safety projects and/or grant funding associated with the Vizion Zero Action Plan will be brought to the Board for approval.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Sonoma County Vision Zero Action Plan