CSG Comments on Draft Vision Zero 2030 Plan

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June 11, 2021 Wade Holland Vision Zero Coordinator Office of the Montgomery County Executive 101 Monroe St, 10th Floor Rockville, MD 20850 visionzero@montgomerycountymd.gov Re: Draft Vision Zero 2030 Plan Dear Mr. Holland: Please accept these comments on the draft Vision Zero 2030 Plan on behalf of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, the leading organization advocating for walkable, bikeable, inclusive, transit-oriented communities as the most sustainable and equitable way for the Washington, DC region to grow and provide opportunities for all. We commend Montgomery County for its commitment to ending all traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Vision Zero is important for many reasons, chief among them to make our transportation system one where all users can safely move. We cannot create great places for people to live, work, and play in Montgomery County if people do not feel safe getting there. The county also faces other challenges, such as the county’s rapidly aging population who would like to age-in-place and combating climate change, of which Vision Zero is a critical component of the solution. In Vision Zero’s implementation, a focus on equity is critical. Thus, we are pleased by the prioritization of disproportionately impacted communities for infrastructure investments, outreach, and efforts to reimagine public safety. We are also glad to see the county shift away from the traditional “3 E’s” approach to recognize that enforcement and education are important, but complementary to the primary work of safe street design. Below are our detailed comments on the draft plan: ●

Collaboration with the State Highway Administration: There is not enough detail in the plan about how Montgomery County will work with the Maryland State Highway Administration to implement Vision Zero improvements. This is of critical importance given that 53% of serious and fatal collisions occur on state maintained roadways. Collaboration with the County Council: The organizational oversight and partnerships section (page 23) is very focused on the executive branch and not the County Council, even though the County Council makes final decisions on funding for Vision Zero improvements and is in frequent contact with constituents concerned about deaths and injuries on the county’s roads. There need to be further steps taken to ensure that councilmembers are engaged on Vision Zero.


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