Scott Bricker: Pittsburgh should commit to achieving zero traffic deaths by 2035

We are less than five months into 2023, and Pittsburghers have already suffered numerous pedestrian fatalities, from the West End to Uptown to Squirrel Hill. At this rate, 2023 is on track to be the deadliest year for people walking in recent memory.

These deaths and injuries are preventable, and many cities across the country have come to the understanding that zero traffic fatalities is the only acceptable number. Pittsburgh, like other cities our size, can achieve this milestone if we focus the strategy, funding and leadership to do so.

This policy is often called Vision Zero and uses a “safe system approach” to engineering — a proactive method to slow cars on our streets and carve out more space for biking, walking and transit. This policy is a framework for cities to show they are committed to ending deaths on our streets by identifying a target date and putting policy, funding, education and additional personnel into action to meet that goal.

Pittsburgh has yet to formally adopt Vision Zero as an official city policy. One of the top recommendations of the Infrastructure and Environment Transition Committee report to Mayor Ed Gainey, a committee I served on, was to commit to get the city on an official path to ending traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg agrees, and has developed a National Roadway Safety Strategy with five elements to address what he calls a “national crisis:” safer roads, safer people, safer vehicles, safer speeds and better post-crash care.

But the federal government can only do so much. Local municipalities must also do their part, namely by designing roads and intersections in ways that encourage drivers to drive safely and at a speed that’s appropriate, while allocating more protected space for pedestrians and bicyclists.

To assist cities toward the goal of zero traffic deaths, Buttigieg stated that USDOT is looking to fund local visions and local plans. “Part of what we’re announcing is hundreds of local planning grants, each of which will be tailored to the needs of the particular community,” as long as they are pursuing a goal of zero traffic deaths. Formally committing to a vision zero goal would make Pittsburgh more competitive for the next round of this funding. As Buttigieg says, “No one thinks zero can happen overnight, but we’ve seen when cities aim for zero, they start getting closer to it.” Mistakes are made, whether it is behind the wheel, walking, or biking. But those mistakes shouldn’t cost anyone their life.

More than 20 Pittburghers die every year traveling our streets. About a third of these deaths every year are pedestrians. Between 2010 and 2020, we’ve lost 200 Pittsburghers to traffic violence, 55 of whom were walking, with another six people who were riding bicycles. In a city where nearly 25% of households do not own a motor vehicle, working toward zero traffic deaths, with a focus on equity and pedestrian dignity, aligns with the mayor’s vision of safety in our city.

The foundation is in place to build a strong Vision Zero policy and program in Pittsburgh. This foundation consists of the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, the Complete Streets Policy, the Traffic Calming Program, the Bike(+) Plan, Safe Routes to School, DOMI’s laudable guiding principles and hard work transforming our streets, and a strong and vocal community that supports this work.

A formal commitment by our elected officials, a funding strategy and an action plan to get to zero fatalities by an achievable date is what is needed now. It is a great opportunity for city departments, community organizations, public health professionals and residents to work together toward a common goal. Together we can end traffic fatalities and serious injuries on our streets and ensure that no Pittsburgher will have to deal with losing a loved one while traveling or recreating on our streets.

Scott Bricker is executive director of Bike Pittsburgh.