As Phoenix begins to construct a comprehensive road safety plan, officials are considering whether the city should go the extra mile to earn a designation as a Vision Zero city to better compete for federal infrastructure funding.
This summer, Phoenix began an 18-month process to develop its Roadway Safety Action Plan to improve the city’s traffic safety numbers that rank among the worst in the nation for a city of its size. Streets Director Kini Knudson said the prerequisites of the Vision Zero nonprofit, which has 50 partner cities in the U.S. and aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries, largely align with what Phoenix has planned but there are a few changes the city would need to make to earn the designation.
As Congress prepares to spend $1 trillion on nationwide infrastructure, Phoenix Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua said staff believes joining the Vision Zero network could earn Phoenix a bigger slice of those funds.
