HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB 2025-063 Vision Zero Safe Streets 4 AllMEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
June 9, 2025
TB Resolution 2025 -063: A Resolution Adopting a Vision Zero Policy
Whereas, the life and health of all persons living and traveling within the Town of Ithaca are our utmost priority, and no one should die or be seriously injured while traveling on our
Town roads; and
Whereas, Vision Zero is the concept that traffic deaths and serious injuries on our roadways are unacceptable; and
Whereas, Vision Zero is a holistic strategy aimed at eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries suffered by all road users while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility
for all; and
Whereas, streets and transportation systems have traditionally been designed primarily to move cars efficiently, and Vision Zero supports a paradigm shift by designing streets and transportation
systems to move all people safely, including people of all ages and abilities, pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit users, scooter riders, and motorcyclists, as well as drivers and
passengers of motor vehicles; and
Whereas, Vision Zero recognizes that people will sometimes make mistakes, so the road system and related policies should be designed to ensure that those inevitable mistakes do not result
in severe injuries or fatalities; therefore, transportation planners and engineers and policymakers are encouraged to improve the roadway environment, policies, and other related systems
to lessen the severity of crashes; and
Whereas, six people in the Town of Ithaca lost their lives to traffic deaths from 2020-2024, and traffic crashes are among the leading cause of deaths in the United States; and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca’s transportation infrastructure serves an increasing number of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists; and
Whereas, according to the Tompkins County Safety Performance Dashboard, pedestrians and bicyclists are involved in two percent of collisions and account for 33 percent of traffic deaths
in the Town of Ithaca; and
Whereas, the injury rate for pedestrians involved in collisions is approximately 93 percent, and the injury rate for bicyclists involved in collisions is approximately 89 percent; and
Whereas, speed is recognized as a major determining factor of survival in a crash; and
Whereas, the Town is actively working toward reducing vehicle speeds because the likelihood of a pedestrian surviving a crash is 10 percent if hit by a vehicle moving 40 mph; and
Whereas, children, older adults, people of color, people with disabilities, people who are unhoused, and people with low income face a significantly disproportionate risk of traffic
injuries and fatalities; and
Whereas, making streets safer for all people using all modes of transportation will encourage people to travel on foot, by bicycle, and by public transit, which supports a healthier,
more active lifestyle and reduces environmental pollution; and
Whereas, successful Vision Zero programs are a result of all stakeholders, including government at all levels, industry, non-profit/advocacy, researchers, and the general public, collaborating
to preventing fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways; and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca has already adopted a Complete Streets Policy on April 15, 2015; and
Whereas, the Tompkins County Legislature adopted an analogous Resolution 2025-125 for Authorization to Adopt the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Joint Safety Action Plan and Vision Zero
Goal on June 3, 2025; and
Whereas, under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), Environmental Conservation Law Article 8, The Town Board hereby finds and determines that this Plan constitutes a Type
II action, pursuant to Section 617.5 (C) of Title 6 of New York Code of Rules and Regulations, in that the law authorizes (24) information collection, including basic data collection
and research; (26) routine or continuing agency administration and management, not including new programs or major reordering of priorities that may affect the environment; (27) preliminary
planning processes necessary to formulate a proposal for an action; (33) adoption of regulations, policies, procedures and local legislative decisions in connection with any action on
this list, but does not commit the Town to commence or approve an action; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, the Town of Ithaca adopts the goal of eliminating traffic deaths and a 50% reduction in serious injuries by 2040 and endorses Vision Zero as a comprehensive and holistic approach
to achieving this goal; and be it further
Resolved, the Town of Ithaca supports the goal of eliminating racial profiling and inequitable enforcement of traffic violations; and be it further
Resolved, the Town of Ithaca adopts the Joint Safety Action Plan, attached hereto as a comprehensive and holistic approach to achieving Vision Zero.
Moved: Pamela Bleiwas Seconded: Susie Gutenberger
Vote: ayes- Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Gutenberger and Rosen
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