What is Vision Zero and how is Kansas City using it to improve traffic safety? [Video]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Leaders in Kansas City are in a years-long effort called Vision Zero to improve traffic safety for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and others.

The goal is to create an environment where no one dies in traffic crashes by the year 2030.

In 2023, 102 people died in traffic-related crashes.

People living near East 35th Street and Norton Avenue brought up concerns about how the city prioritizes traffic safety after a crash Tuesday at the intersection killed three people.

Vision Zero is an international concept used by cities from Stockholm to San Francisco. It focuses on changing traffic infrastructure to protect everyone who uses the road.

Kansas City leaders adopted a Vision Zero resolution in 2020 and agreed to an action plan in 2022.

Since then, it’s designed or completed more than 200 projects.

They include building protected bike lanes, installing plastic poles around intersections and parking spots, beefing up crosswalks, and eliminating lanes through concepts called road diets.

The city uses data to …