Vision Zero
Traffic collisions are not accidents.
When councillors and staff talk to Kitchener residents, one of the most common issues raised are concerns about speeding and road safety. We want to make roads, sidewalks and trails in Kitchener safer for all ages, abilities and modes of transportation.
Vision Zero is a new way of thinking about creating safer roads. Our vision is to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries to zero. This concept started in Sweden in 1997 and has become popular around the world.
Here’s how Vision Zero strategies approach road safety:
- focus on reducing fatal and serious injury collisions
- collisions are preventable and no preventable loss of life is acceptable
- human mistakes and errors should be expected and anticipated
- our transportation network should be designed to account for human mistakes and errors
- road safety is a shared responsibility among the people who design, maintain, enforce rules on and use roads and intersections
- proactively address issues before collisions
Our Vision Zero strategy offers guidance on building and designing roads, supporting law enforcement, educating and engaging the public, and finding solutions to the specific concerns in our neighbourhoods.
Vision Zero dashboard
Visit our Vision Zero dashboard to find collision statistics and our progress on Vision Zero.
Stay Informed
To get updates about this project, add your email to the ’Stay Informed’ box and click ‘Subscribe’.
Traffic collisions are not accidents.
When councillors and staff talk to Kitchener residents, one of the most common issues raised are concerns about speeding and road safety. We want to make roads, sidewalks and trails in Kitchener safer for all ages, abilities and modes of transportation.
Vision Zero is a new way of thinking about creating safer roads. Our vision is to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries to zero. This concept started in Sweden in 1997 and has become popular around the world.
Here’s how Vision Zero strategies approach road safety:
- focus on reducing fatal and serious injury collisions
- collisions are preventable and no preventable loss of life is acceptable
- human mistakes and errors should be expected and anticipated
- our transportation network should be designed to account for human mistakes and errors
- road safety is a shared responsibility among the people who design, maintain, enforce rules on and use roads and intersections
- proactively address issues before collisions
Our Vision Zero strategy offers guidance on building and designing roads, supporting law enforcement, educating and engaging the public, and finding solutions to the specific concerns in our neighbourhoods.
Vision Zero dashboard
Visit our Vision Zero dashboard to find collision statistics and our progress on Vision Zero.
Stay Informed
To get updates about this project, add your email to the ’Stay Informed’ box and click ‘Subscribe’.
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2024 Hot spot improvements
Share 2024 Hot spot improvements on Facebook Share 2024 Hot spot improvements on Twitter Share 2024 Hot spot improvements on Linkedin Email 2024 Hot spot improvements linkWe're excited to announce a series of safety improvements across various locations this summer. These enhancements aim to increase pedestrian safety, reduce vehicle speeds, and make our community streets safer for everyone. The work began late last month and is expected to be complete by the end of October 2024.
We prepared a map showing the locations of these enhancements. Planned improvements at intersections, like the intersection of two streets or of a street and a trail, are represented by dots. Planned improvements along streets are represented by lines.
Here is a high-level overview of the enhancements:
- Installation of Pedestrian Crossovers (PXOs)
- Kingsway Dr and Greenfield Ave Intersection
- Mount Hope and Park St Intersection
- Laurentian Dr (between Shea Cres and Dunsmere Dr)
- Lucerne Dr (between Selkik Dr and Kingswood Dr)
- Strasburg Rd (between Barwood Cres and Selkirk Dr)
- Williamsburg Rd (between Pinedale Dr and Dinison Cres)
- Installation of speed humps and speed cushions
- Appleridge (between Forest Creek and Doon Mills Dr)
- Bankside Dr (between Eastforest Trail and Westforest Trail)
- Bechtel Dr School Zone
- David Burgey Dr (between Beach Blossom Cres and Ottawa St)
- Erinbrook Dr (between Rittenhouse Rd and The Country Way)
- Forest Creek Dr (between Apple Ridge and Robert Ferrie)
- Strange St School Zone
- Trussler Dr (between Highview and Highland)
- West Ave (between Victoria and Highland)
- Installation of raised crossings
- Caryndale Dr School Zone
- Erinbrook Dr (between Rittenhouse Rd and The Country Way)
- Green Valley Dr (between Mill Park Dr and Pioneer Dr)
- Intersection reconfiguration
- Strasburg Rd and Old Country Dr Intersection
These improvements are part of our ongoing commitment to making our streets safer for all street users. We appreciate your patience and cooperation during the construction period. Stay safe!
- Installation of Pedestrian Crossovers (PXOs)
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New Vision Zero videos, strategy succeeding in creating safer streets
Share New Vision Zero videos, strategy succeeding in creating safer streets on Facebook Share New Vision Zero videos, strategy succeeding in creating safer streets on Twitter Share New Vision Zero videos, strategy succeeding in creating safer streets on Linkedin Email New Vision Zero videos, strategy succeeding in creating safer streets linkTwo new street safety videos
We are pleased to announce two new Vision Zero videos promoting street safety in our community. In "Fast Friends" a relatable moment demonstrates how speeding doesn't get you there much faster. In "Pedestrian Crossovers" learn about these places where pedestrians have the right of way.
Fast Friends
Pedestrian Crossovers
Vision Zero strategy succeeding in creating safer streets
Earlier this spring, Council received an update on the progress of Kitchener’s Vision Zero Strategy. This four-year street safety plan aims to stop severe injuries and fatalities on City streets. First launched in 2021, the plan evaluates the City’s street network to address key factors such as:
- vulnerable street users
- high-risk locations
- driving behaviours
Recent data shows a decline in injury and fatal collisions from 2018 and 2022, with zero fatalities occurring on City streets in both 2022 and 2023. This suggests the strategy is succeeding in creating safer streets in Kitchener.
Vision Zero Hot Spot improvement program
To further enhance the safety of cyclists and pedestrians, new initiatives are being carried out through the Vision Zero Hot Spot improvement program. In 2024, the City will add four pedestrian crossover locations at:
- Belmont and Henry Sturm
- Kingsway and Greenfield
- Park and Mt. Hope
- Lawrence and Henry Sturm.
The City will also add dozens of permanent traffic calming measures in high priority locations, such as speed humps and cushions, as well as pedestrian islands. Other measures include:
- almost 400 meters of sidewalk/multi-use trail infill
- 40 additional seasonal narrowings
- 10 solar-powered speed advisory signs
In partnership with the Region of Waterloo, the City will also add five automated speed enforcement cameras in various school zones. Additionally, complete street design standards will be implemented in nine reconstruction projects scheduled for 2024.
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Kitchener makes progress towards Vision Zero goal
Share Kitchener makes progress towards Vision Zero goal on Facebook Share Kitchener makes progress towards Vision Zero goal on Twitter Share Kitchener makes progress towards Vision Zero goal on Linkedin Email Kitchener makes progress towards Vision Zero goal linkThe City of Kitchener is reminding residents that we all have a role to play in eliminating serious injuries or deaths due to traffic collisions. The city has released a new promotional video, “Traffic Collisions are not Accidents,” as it continues various projects aimed at improving traffic safety throughout Kitchener.
“Traffic safety is a top issue for Kitchener residents,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “We’re continuing to work with the Waterloo Regional Police Service, Region of Waterloo Public Health and Paramedic Services, Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region, and the City of Waterloo to implement evidence-based solutions to improve traffic safety. But we also have a role to play as individuals – by making safe driving decisions every day, we can significantly reduce the number of people being seriously hurt on our roads.”
Along with ongoing public education efforts, the City of Kitchener’s Vision Zero strategy includes a number of engineering projects that improve traffic safety. These include annual hot spot improvements, traffic calming, and sidewalk infill work installed or currently underway at dozens of locations throughout Kitchener for 2023. This includes 450 meters of sidewalk infill, two pedestrian refuge islands, three raised crosswalks, two intersection improvement locations, and 22-speed humps/speed cushions locations.
“I’m happy to see traffic safety improvements being implemented across Kitchener,” said Councillor Margaret Johnston, Community & Infrastructure Services Committee chair. “We often hear from residents about their traffic safety concerns, and I’m proud that we’re making strategic improvements in key locations. But Vision Zero is a long-term goal, and we have to all remain committed to doing our part as community members as we work toward this goal in the coming years.”
To watch the latest Vision Zero promotional video, visit the City of Kitchener’s YouTube channel.
The City of Kitchener’s Vision Zero Strategy provides a framework to improve street safety for all street users regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation. This strategy aims to achieve zero serious injuries and fatalities on City of Kitchener streets. To find out more and read the full strategy, visit www.kitchener.ca/VisionZero.
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Traffic collisions are not accidents
Share Traffic collisions are not accidents on Facebook Share Traffic collisions are not accidents on Twitter Share Traffic collisions are not accidents on Linkedin Email Traffic collisions are not accidents linkThe City of Kitchener is reminding residents that we all have a role to play in eliminating serious injuries or deaths due to traffic collisions. The city has released a new promotional video, “Traffic Collisions are not Accidents” as it continues various projects aimed at improving traffic safety throughout Kitchener.
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Share your driving and street safety tips
Share Share your driving and street safety tips on Facebook Share Share your driving and street safety tips on Twitter Share Share your driving and street safety tips on Linkedin Email Share your driving and street safety tips linkWe have just released a new Vision Zero street safety video. This is part of a public education campaign aimed at reducing serious injuries and death due to traffic collisions to zero in our community.
The video sends a powerful message that traffic collisions are not accidents and always have a cause, which means they can be prevented. It is the first of three videos and sets a foundational message for the Vision Zero strategy. Future videos will focus on specific driving behaviours and will be released later this year.
What are your best driving and street safety tips?
Let’s learn from each other’s experiences and remind ourselves to drive safe. We invite drivers to share their best driving and street safety tips via comments, photos or videos. For example:
- What do you do while driving that you wish other drivers would do too?
- What thoughts motivate you to slow down and drive safely?
- What mistakes have you made or seen behind the wheel?
- Have you ever experienced a “close call” while driving? How might that have been prevented?
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New! Vision Zero dashboard and ask us a question
Share New! Vision Zero dashboard and ask us a question on Facebook Share New! Vision Zero dashboard and ask us a question on Twitter Share New! Vision Zero dashboard and ask us a question on Linkedin Email New! Vision Zero dashboard and ask us a question linkWe have just introduced some new resources and tools about Vision Zero that we wanted to let you know about.
Vision Zero Dashboard
A new dashboard that maps collision statistics on Kitchener roads is now available. It also shows our progress on the Vision Zero initiatives.
Visit our Vision Zero dashboard
Ask a Question
We recently added a section to this page where you can share with us your questions, suggestions, and concerns about Vision Zero. Let’s keep the conversation going about how we can work together to achieve the vision of zero traffic accidents and deaths in our community.
Do you have a question about Vision Zero? Ask it here
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Kitchener launches Vision Zero street safety education campaign
Share Kitchener launches Vision Zero street safety education campaign on Facebook Share Kitchener launches Vision Zero street safety education campaign on Twitter Share Kitchener launches Vision Zero street safety education campaign on Linkedin Email Kitchener launches Vision Zero street safety education campaign linkTraffic collisions are not accidents. They always have a cause which means they can be prevented. This is the message of a new Vision Zero street safety education campaign launching this week by the City of Kitchener, in partnership with the City of Waterloo, Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services, and Waterloo Regional Police Service.
“Kitchener is committed to making our streets as a safe as possible for all users – pedestrians, cyclists and motorists – joining other Vision Zero cities around the world in that goal,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Speeding and street safety are one of the concerns most often raised with city councillors, staff and myself and we all look forward to the day when we see no traffic fatalities in Kitchener and throughout our region.”
The new education campaign is an outcome of the city’s Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025), a long-term plan which aims to eliminate serious injuries and death due to traffic collisions over time. The Vision Zero concept was first introduced in Sweden in 1997 and has since been adopted by municipalities around the globe.
“Kitchener’s Vision Zero Strategy is a long-term plan that includes improving our traffic and collision data, implementing safety improvements at the highest priority locations, creating educational campaigns, and more,” said Aaron McCrimmon-Jones, Manager of Transportation Safety and Policy, “This campaign is one way to share our coordinated strategy and overall message with residents that no loss of life due to traffic collisions is acceptable.”
This first phase will build awareness around Vision Zero, with a focus on an important key message: ‘Traffic collisions are not accidents. They can be prevented.’ Utilizing website, social media, radio, posters and digital billboards, the goal is to get the community thinking about road safety as a shared responsibility. These efforts form the first phase a larger education strategy which will continue through 2024.
“Vision Zero is a new way of thinking about creating safer roads,” said Ward 8 Councillor, Margaret Johnston. “We believe that no traffic deaths or serious injuries on our city streets are acceptable. We’re looking to identify road safety improvements that will make Kitchener streets safer for everyone.”
To learn more, visit www.kitchener.ca/visionzero.
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Kitchener Council approves Vision Zero strategy
Share Kitchener Council approves Vision Zero strategy on Facebook Share Kitchener Council approves Vision Zero strategy on Twitter Share Kitchener Council approves Vision Zero strategy on Linkedin Email Kitchener Council approves Vision Zero strategy linkThank you to everyone who contributed to the Vision Zero strategy!
Kitchener Council approved the strategy on December 13, 2021. To view the report and meeting recording, please visit calendar.kitchener.ca/council
The city’s Vision Zero Strategy is a long-term street safety plan that includes, but is not limited to, changing road geometry, enhancing signage, pavement markings and undertaking educational campaigns. Action items were selected based on public and stakeholder engagement, data analysis, background research, and the city’s strategic goals. Vision Zero will also collect traffic and collision data to track progress towards the long-term goal of 0 fatalities and serious injuries.
This strategy will be completed over the next four years, with annual updates and recommendations presented to Council. We will continue to use this page to engage residents in our ongoing work to reduce injuries and fatalities.
Please subscribe for updates by clicking the Subscribe button at the top right-hand corner of this page.
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Draft Vision Zero strategy to go to Council Dec 6
Share Draft Vision Zero strategy to go to Council Dec 6 on Facebook Share Draft Vision Zero strategy to go to Council Dec 6 on Twitter Share Draft Vision Zero strategy to go to Council Dec 6 on Linkedin Email Draft Vision Zero strategy to go to Council Dec 6 linkThank you to everyone who answered our surveys and shared their ideas about the Vision Zero strategy! We will present the draft strategy to the Community and Infrastructure Services Committee meeting on Monday, December 6 from 6:00-8:30p.m.
To see the agenda and report, visit calendar.kitchener.ca/council
Watch the meeting live at kitchener.ca/watchnow
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City seeks feedback on plans to increase road safety
Share City seeks feedback on plans to increase road safety on Facebook Share City seeks feedback on plans to increase road safety on Twitter Share City seeks feedback on plans to increase road safety on Linkedin Email City seeks feedback on plans to increase road safety linkWe want to make roads, sidewalks and trails in Kitchener safer for all ages, abilities, and modes of transportation. The City is developing a Vision Zero strategy and we’re looking forward to your feedback and input on the plan.
Vision Zero is a new way of thinking about creating safer roads. The City’s long-term vision is to reduce collisions involving serious injury and fatality to zero for any type of road users including drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, transit users and people using mobility devices. The strategy will offer guidance on building and designing roads, supporting law enforcement, educating residents, and finding solutions for specific concerns in our neighbourhoods.
The City is taking a multi-step approach towards meeting the Vision Zero goal. The draft strategy includes clear actions items that will be informed based on your input and evaluated and revised to ensure continuous progress towards the Vision Zero goal.
The survey is open until Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. Staff will be reviewing the input and preparing a four-year strategy for Vision Zero that will go to Council in December. To share your feedback on the Vision Zero strategy, visit www.engagewr.ca/visionzero.
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Lifecycle
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Survey open
Vision Zero has finished this stageThis consultation is open for contributions.
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Closed for review
Vision Zero has finished this stageContributions to this consultation are closed for evaluation and review.
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Consultation on draft action items
Vision Zero has finished this stageSurvey is open for feedback on the draft action items.
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Final report
Vision Zero has finished this stageSurvey is closed. The final report will be presented to Council by the end of 2021.
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Vision Zero
Vision Zero is currently at this stageThe 4-year Vision Zero strategy was approved by Council and is now underway.
We will continue to use this page to keep you informed about the strategy. Please subscribe for updates.
Videos
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Click here to play video Fast Friends Speeding doesn’t get you there any faster. We’re working to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities caused by traffic collisions.
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Click here to play video Pedestrian Crossovers Learn about pedestrian crossovers – places where pedestrians have the right of way. We’re working to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities caused by traffic collisions.
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Click here to play video Traffic collisions are not accidents Traffic collisions are not accidents. They always have a cause, which means they can be prevented. We all have a role to play in making Kitchener a Vision Zero community.
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Click here to play video Vision Zero Traffic collisions are not accidents. They can be prevented. This video is the first in a series of three developed to promote awareness of the strategy and improve driving behaviour.
Important Links
FAQs
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Vision Zero FAQ
- What is Vision Zero?
- How is Vision Zero different from traditional road safety approaches?
- Isn’t it impossible to prevent all serious injuries and fatalities on the road?
- How can Vision Zero reduce the number of traffic related serious injuries and deaths?
- What changes should we expect on streets as a result of this project?
- How do you decide where to install road safety improvements?
- How do other City safety programs fit into the Vision Zero Strategy?
- Who are you working with on this plan?
- Why does Vision Zero focus on active modes of transportation (walking and cycling)?
- Will Vision Zero make it hard to get around the city?
- How can I get involved/stay updated?
Who's Listening
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Phone 519-741-2345 Email faranak.hosseini@kitchener.ca