Vision Zero Action Plan Launched in Houston

In Houston, 60 percent of serious automobile crashes occur on 6 percent of the city's streets. A New Vision Zero Action Plan will focus safety improvements on those streets with a high density of traffic deaths and serious injuries.

1 minute read

December 21, 2020, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Traffic Safety

Houston Planning and Development Department / Houston Vision Zero

The city of Houston this week launched a new Vision Zero Action Plan (VZAP) "to end traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030 and improve street safety and equity for road users of all ages, abilities and modes of transportation," according to a press release from the office of Mayor Sylvester Turner.

"More than 200 people die and nearly 1,000 people are seriously injured in crashes on Houston roadways every year," according to the press release.

The launch of the VZAP comes over a year after the city committed to Vision Zero. "After extensive data analysis, community engagement and multiagency collaboration, the City of Houston created the Vision Zero Action Plan."

According to the press release, that analysis included mapping out rates of fatalities and serious injuries in traffic collisions.

The city's Planning and Development Department will spearhead the coalition of city and regional agencies tasked with four key goals to achieve Vision Zero: 1) create a safe, equitable, and accessible network of streets, 2) make walking, rolling, and biking safe, 3) make connecting to transit safe, and 4) make driving safe. 

Wednesday, December 16, 2020 in City of Houston Mayor's Office

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

45 minutes ago - UNM News

Bird's eye view of half-circle suburban street with large homes.

In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City

If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.

2 hours ago - Investopedia

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star