Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. First implemented in Sweden in the 1990s, Vision Zero has proved successful across Europe and is now gaining momentum in major American cities. In 2012, Chicago became the first U.S. city to adopt Vision Zero; since then, more than 20 cities across the country have committed to this strategy.

The Champaign-Urbana Urbanized Area Transportation Study (CUUATS), the transportation entity of the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC), is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) responsible for administering the federally mandated transportation planning process for the Champaign-Urbana-Savoy-Bondville-Tolono urbanized area. In December 2019, CCRPC published the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) 2045 for the area, including Vision Zero as an objective. The university is an active partner of CUUATS, and therefore supports the Champaign County LRTP 2045[1] and commits to the Vision Zero objective.

The F&S Transportation Demand Management (TDM) department[2] at F&S works with regional transportation planning partners to coordinate networks for all campus travel, including walking, bicycling, transit, and motor vehicles. TDM also encourages active transportation, maintains street signs and pavement markings, manages traffic closures on campus property, prioritizes pavement improvement projects, and emphasizes pedestrian safety and the safety of all on-campus modes of transportation. Furthermore, implementing the Campus Bicycle Network Master Plan and exploring sustainable options for transportation infrastructure and fuels fall under the TDM’s purview. In the last five years, the department’s efforts and safety measures have resulted in zero transportation-related fatalities on campus streets.

The City of Urbana's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) passed a resolution in support of Vision Zero in late fall 2019.[3] In January 2020, the Urbana City Council and Mayor made a commitment to the Vision Zero concept by directing BPAC to bring forward a Council Resolution and Vision Zero plan for approval by the full council.[4]

[1]  https://ccrpc.gitlab.io/lrtp2045/
[2] https://fs.illinois.edu/services/more-services/tdm
[3] https://www.urbanaillinois.us/BPAC
[4]  https://bit.ly/3hT7YaI