Indianapolis advances Vision Zero initiative

Picture a future where every intersection, crosswalk and roadway is designed with safety at its core, and every life lost to traffic accidents is a tragedy of the past. As Indianapolis gears up for a critical city-county council vote, the Vision Zero initiative promises to transform the city’s streets into safer spaces for all. This ambitious plan aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries through a blend of smart infrastructure, vigilant enforcement and community engagement. “The idea of Vision Zero is a commitment to zero traffic fatalities by the year 2035,” said Natalie Van Dongen, deputy director for policy and planning at the Department of Public Works. The 2024 Dangerous by Design study by Smart Growth American ranks the most dangerous cities in the U.S. for pedestrians. The Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson area ranked 51 out of 100, higher than New York, Seattle and San Francisco. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization reported that the pedestrian fatalities increased by 25% between 2020 to 2023. The mission of the Vision Zero plan is to take Indianapolis off that list by establishing a 15-member task force & between community organizations and government agencies to improve infrastructure and roadways. The proposal, number 224, was advanced to...