HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2021-210 - City of Kitchener Vision Zero StrategyREPORT TO:Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:December 6, 2021
SUBMITTED BY:Cronkite,Barry, Director, Transportation Services,
519-741-2200ext. 7738
PREPARED BY:Hosseini, Faranak,Transportation Planning Project Manager,
519-741-2200ext. 7665
WARD(S) INVOLVED:All Wards(1-10)
DATE OF REPORT:November 25, 2021
REPORT NO.:DSD-2021-210
SUBJECT:City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy
RECOMMENDATION:
That staffbe directed to implement the Vision Zero Strategy for roads under
jurisdiction of the City of Kitchener as outlined in report DSD-2021-210; and further;
That funds bereallocated from the annual Formal Traffic Calming budget in 2022,
2023,2024and2025to support implementation of the Vision Zero Strategy.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report isto establish aVision Zero Strategyfor the City of Kitchener
in an effort toimprove street safetyon Kitchener streets for all road users regardless of
their age, ability or mode of transportation.
Staff have identifiedemphasisareastohelp identify and prioritize safety improvements.
The emphasisareashave been selected based on background research, industry best
practices, collision analysis,public and stakeholder engagement and the City’s strategic
goals.The emphasisareas includevulnerable streetusers, high-risk locations and high-
riskdriving.
The action items included in the proposed Vision Zero Strategy were determined based
on the identified emphasisareas, best practices,stakeholder engagement and available
resources. The action items are categorized into the Five E’s of Vision Zero -Evaluation,
Engineering, Enforcement, Education and Engagement.
If approved by Council, the Strategy is planned to be implemented over four years from
2022 to 2025.Staff will be monitoring and evaluating the progress and success of the
action items and will revise the strategy accordingly.
Staff recommend that the required budget beaccommodated by reallocating a portion
of theFormal Traffic Calming Budgetto the Vision Zero Strategy.
Community engagement includedmeetings with the City of Kitchener Advisory
Committees and twoonlinepublicsurveys through the Engage Kitchener platform.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
The Strategy was developed through extensive collaboration and engagement with
Regionalpartners including but not limited toWaterloo Region Police Services,
Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency
Services,Grand River Transit, Region of Waterloo School Travel Planning, University
of Waterloo, etc.
This report responds tothe Council approved motion that was passed in March 2020at
the Community and Infrastructure Services Committee Meeting as follows:
“Transportation Staff to develop a formal Vision Zero Strategy for the roads under the
jurisdiction of the City of Kitchener, that incorporates evaluation, engineering,
engagement and education, that are within the span of the City of Kitchener’s control”
BACKGROUND:
In March 2020, City of Kitchener Council directed staff to develop a formal Vision Zero
Strategy for the roads under the jurisdiction of the City of Kitchener. The goal of aVision
Zerostrategy is to improve street safety for all users.
Vision Zero is a far-reaching street safety strategy with the goal of eliminating traffic related
serious injuries and fatalities.Vision Zero is based on the following principles:
No preventable loss of life is acceptable. Traffic fatalities and serious injuries are
preventable.
Mistakes and driver error should be expected and anticipated. Traffic facilities should
be designed to account for these mistakes and errors.
Safety is a shared responsibility between those who design, operate, maintain and
use transportation facilities.
Vision Zero originated in Sweden over 20 years ago.As of 2021,more than 47 cities in the
United States and 18 cities in Canada have adopted Vision Zero. Many other cities are also
conducting research onthe benefits ofVision Zero or are in the process of adopting Vision
Zero.The experience of cities that have adopted Vision Zero showsthat Vision Zero has
been generally successful in improving street safety and reducing the number of traffic
related serious injuries and fatalities.Research also shows that the successful Vision Zero
plans are the result of involvement and cooperation ofmanystakeholders.Vision Zero is a
multi-disciplinaryeffort that is most successful when all the related parties combine efforts
in achieving a common goal.
Within the City of Kitchener, there are over 1,200 collisions per yearon city streets, including
more than 200 injury and fatal collisions. Analysis shows that since 2005 there has been no
statistically significant increasing or decreasing collision trend.The implementation of a
Vision Zero strategy is an effort to reduce collisions tocreate a declining trend.
REPORT:
This report provides the City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategyfor the years 2022 to 2025.
This report also summarizes the project schedule, cost and community engagement efforts
conducted to develop this Strategy.
Vision and Objectives:
The vision and objectives of this Strategy areas follows:
Vision:To reduce serious injuries and fatalitiesas a result of vehicle collisionsto zero for
any type of street user including drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, transit users and people using
mobility devicesalong City of Kitchener streets.
This vision is a long-term goal,and it requires significant support, collaboration and
resources from all stakeholders. TheCityis taking a multi-facetedapproach towards this
goalin an effort to achieve the following objectives:
Adeclining trend in the number of collisions involving serious injuries andfatalities;
Data driven decision making and focusing resources in areas with the highest
expected impact;
Increased public awareness and education about Vision Zero;
Enhanced collaboration and datasharing withkeystakeholders; and,
Ongoing engagementwith theKitchener residentsand other stakeholders.
Staff propose to report to Council annually on actions, outcomes evaluation and
recommendations for improvements. This annual check in should ensure continuous
progress and alignment within the Vision Zero program.
Stakeholder Engagement
Throughoutthe development of the Vision Zero Strategy, staff haveengaged key
stakeholders including residents, City of Kitchener advisory committees and relevant
municipal and regional agencies.
Additionally,a project team was brought together to developthe strategy.The project team
members were selected to ensure representation from each of the Vision Zero elements:
Engineering, Evaluation, Enforcement, Education and Engagement. The project team
consisted of City of Kitchener Transportation ServicesandCorporate Communicationsand
Marketingstaff, WaterlooRegionPoliceServices,and Regional of Waterloo School Travel
Planning.
In addition to the project team, a project consultation group was established consisting of
representatives from the Region of Waterloo Transportation Division, Grand River Transit,
Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services, City of Waterloo, City of
Cambridge. Representatives internal to the City of Kitchener included the Engineering
Division, Operations -Roads and Traffic Division,Parks and CemeteriesDivisionand Fleet
Division.The project team met with the project consultation group atkey milestones with the
objective of identifying street safety priorities, obtaining support from key stakeholders,and
brainstorming solutionsand action items.
The City also collaborated with the University of Waterloo Transportation Engineering team
to leverage their expertise in the development of the strategy. The partnership is a three
year (2021-2023) collaborative effort with the University of Waterloo, City of Kitchener, City
of Waterloo, Region of Waterloo and an industry partner, Miovision Technologies, aiming to
develop optimal Vision Zero safety improvement programs.Specifically, the partnership is
set to achieve the goals of developing a new frameworkfor assessing system-wide impacts
of various countermeasures and optimizing the implementation strategies of specific
programs. The University of Waterloo has assisted in developing the Strategywith research
onbest practices and network screening/hot spot identification.
Key EmphasisAreas
Key EmphasisAreas are areas of opportunities to improve street safety. To identify and
prioritize the required safety improvements, staff have conducted extensive research
includingan analysis onthe City of Kitchenerhistoricalcollisiondata,review of other
ongoing municipal Vision Zero strategies,anda public and stakeholder engagement
exercisethatincludedseveral brain stormingsessions with stakeholders and two online
public surveys.Using the resultsof this research as well as considering the City’s strategic
goals, the following emphasisareas have been identified:
Vulnerable Street Users:vulnerable street users are significantly more likely to
experience a serious injury or death in a collision. Vulnerable users include
pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, school children, seniors, people using mobility
devices.
High Risk Locations:High risk location are areas that havea higher probability for
a serious injury or fatal collisionand/or represent areas that result in a high volume
of vulnerable road users such as school zones, residential zones and hot spots.
High Risk Driving:High risk driving is categorized generally as aggressive driving,
distracted driving and speeding.
Action Items
Action items wereselected based on the identified emphasisareas described above, best
practices,stakeholder engagementand available resources. Three categories of action
items are considered under this Vision Zero Strategy:
Existing Action Items:these are existing road safety programs in the City
ofKitchener;
Enhanced Action Items:these are existing road safety programs in the City of
Kitchener that are proposed to be enhanced or expanded through the Vision
ZeroStrategy;
New Action Items:these are new programs/initiatives thatare proposed tobe
implementedinthe Vision Zero Strategy.
The proposed action itemsare further categorized into one of the five “E”’s of Vision Zero
as follows.
Evaluation
An effective Vision Zero program requires continuous data-driven evaluation and analysis
ofstreetnetworksafety. Thisincludescontinuousevaluationof safety-related-
effortstobetterunderstand the causality behind the traffic related serious injuries and
fatalities. The action items proposed under this category areprovided in Table 1.
Table 1–Evaluation Action Items
Implementation
Action Item TitleCategoryKey Stakeholders
Year
Traffic Data CollectionExistingCOK TransportationOngoing
COK TransportationOngoing
Selective Traffic Enforcement
ExistingWRPS
Program (STEP)
ROW
Reactive (complaint driven) Ongoing
ExistingCOK Transportation
Safety Evaluation
Project Impact EvaluationEnhanceCOK Transportation2022-2025
Safe Driving Practices Program
EnhanceCOK Fleet2022
for City Fleet
COK Transportation2022-2025
Collision Network Screening and
NewUW Transportation
Hot Spot Identification
Group
COK Transportation2022-2025
Severe Injury and Fatal Collision WRPS
New
Investigation ProgramROW Public Health
Services
Collaboration and Data Sharing 2022-2025
COK Transportation
with the Region of Waterloo
NewROW Public Health
Public Health and Emergency
Services
Services
Engineering
The design, operation and maintenance of the transportation network can have a significant
impact on the frequency and severity of collisions. Engineering tactics contained in a Vision
Zero Strategyacknowledgesthe role of human error and aims to account for these errors.
The action items proposed under this category is provided in Table 2.
Table 2–Engineering Action Items
Implementation
Action Item TitleCategoryKey Stakeholders
Year
Complete Streets GuidelinesExistingCOK TransportationOngoing
Cycling and Trails Master PlanExistingCOK TransportationOngoing
School Crossing GuardExistingCOK TransportationOngoing
Construction Site SafetyExistingCOK TransportationOngoing
Complaint Review and Ongoing
ExistingCOK Transportation
Mitigation
Downtown Cycling GridExistingCOK Transportation2021-2023
Formal Traffic CalmingEnhanceCOK Transportation2023
Seasonal Traffic CalmingEnhanceCOK Transportation2023
COK Transportation,
School Route SafetyEnhanceROW School Travel 2024
Planning
Sidewalk Infill PolicyEnhanceCOK Transportation2025
Pedestrian Crossover HandbookNewCOK Transportation2022
Accessibility Improvements
NewCOK Transportation2022
Handbook
NeighbourhoodSpeed Limit
NewCOK Transportation2022-2024
Review
Fleet Safety ImprovementsNewCOK Fleet2022
Hot Spot ImprovementsNewCOK Transportation2023-2025
Vulnerable Street User Areas
NewCOK Transportation2024
Policy
Enforcement
Inappropriate driver behavior such as impaired driving, distracted driving and speeding are
major contributors to severe collisions. These high-risk behaviors can be reduced through
different types of police enforcement and related educational programs. The action items
proposed under this category is provided in Table 3.
Table 3–Enforcement Action Items
Implementation
Action Item TitleCategoryKey Stakeholders
Year
2021 Road Safety PlanExistingWRPSOngoing
Targeted Enforcement (STEP WRPS, COK 2022-2025
Enhance
Program)Transportation
WRPS, COK 2022-2025
WRPS Traffic Management PlanEnhance
Transportation
ROW Transportation,
Automated Speed EnforcementEnhance2023
COK Transportation
Education
Increased awareness and education related to road safety is fundamental to a successful
Vision Zero program. The main objective of educational programs is to increase public
awareness and reduce high riskbehaviour. Educational programs are targetedto children,
inexperienceddrivers, distracted and aggressive drivers. Educational campaigns are often
long-term strategies towards behavioral changesand can takemore time to monitor
andsee meaningful change.The action items proposed under this category is provided in
Table 4.
Table 4–Education Action Items
Implementation
Action Item TitleCategoryKey Stakeholders
Year
Your Community Your Choice COK Communications, Ongoing
Existing
ProgramCOK Transportation
Inter-Municipal Partnership for COK Transportation, Ongoing
Existing
Active Transportation (IMPACT)ROW
Waterloo Region Road Safety Ongoing
COK Transportation,
Campaign for Short-Term Existing
ROW
Construction
Regional Traffic Coordinating COK Transportation, Ongoing
Existing
CommitteeROW, WRPS
Active Transportation2022-2025
COK Communications,
Educational Campaigns and Enhance
COK Transportation
Events
COK Communications, 2022-2025
Active School Travel COK Transportation,
Enhance
Educational ProgramsROW School Travel
Planning
Educational Programs for Fleet COK Fleet,
Enhance2022
DriversCOK Communications
Aggressive Driving and COK Communications
Speeding Educational NewCOK Transportation2022-2025
CampaignROW Public Health
Engagement
The continuous involvement of residentsand other stakeholders is key to a successful and
effective Vision Zero program. Engagement provides the opportunity for community
stakeholders to contribute to ideas and become part of the solution in the journey towards
zero traffic related serious injuries and fatalities. Effective engagement should include all
road users regardless of age, ability and mode of transportation. The action items proposed
under this category is provided in Table 5.
Table 5–Engagement Action Items
Implementation
Action Item TitleCategoryKey Stakeholders
Year
Active Transportation and Trails Ongoing
ExistingCOK Transportation
Advisory Committee
Resident-led Traffic CalmingExistingCOK TransportationOngoing
Vision Zero Sub-CommitteeNewCOK Transportation2022-2025
Public Awareness and COK Communications,2022-2025
New
EngagementCOK Transportation
COK Communications,
Vision Zero DayNew2023-2025
COK Transportation
COK Transportation
Community PartnershipsNewROW School Travel 2023-2025
Planning
COK Transportation,
Advocacy and Engagement with
NewMayor’s Office, 2023-2025
Provincial and Federal Agencies
Council
IMPLEMENTATION and EVALUATION PLAN:
If approved by Council, the Vision Zero Strategy action items will be implemented over four
years from 2022 to 2025. The action items are prioritized based on the City’s strategic
priorities, available resources, and the required timelines. Some of the action items such as
network screening, countermeasure evaluation and educational campaigns will occur on an
annual basis while others, such asthose that requirenew policies and guidelines, will be
managed as projectsin future years.
This Vision Zero Strategy is an evolving document,andit is anticipated that the prioritization
of the action items is subject to change depending on a number of factors such as evolving
street safety priorities, resident engagement, success of the proposed countermeasures,
available resources,dataetc. Staff will be monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the
proposed action items and will reportback on the progress and success of the programs on
an annual basis. To evaluate the proposed engineering countermeasures, before after traffic
and collision data will be collected.Staff will be collaboratingwith the University of Waterloo
to conduct thisanalysis.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The Council approved motion that was passed in March 2020 at the City of Kitchener’s
Community and Infrastructure Services Committee Meeting as follows: “Transportation Staff
to develop a formal Vision Zero Strategy for the roads under the jurisdiction of the City of
Kitchener, that incorporates evaluation, engineering, engagement and education, that are
within the span of the City of Kitchener’s control”.
This report supports delivery of core services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Anumber of action items identified are an enhanced/expanded version of an existing
program. As a result, they will have minimal cost impact and will be supported using existing
budget. Some of the action items are proposed tobe funded through reallocation ofexisting
budget from other projects. This will help ensure that the existing budget isutilized in the
most efficient way possiblethrough a holistic data driven approach. Some action items
require a more in-depth review prior to determining the required budget and resources.
These reviews will be completed as part of the Vision Zero Strategy during the next four
years and the recommendations, and associated budget, if required,will be presented to
Council separately. The known funding requirementsfor the action items proposed within
this Strategy is summarized below.
Capital Budget –The total capital budgetrequired for action items contained within the
proposed Vision Zero strategyis estimated to be $670,000from2022-2025.
Operating Budget –The total operating budgetrequired for action items contained within
the proposed Vision Zero strategy is estimated to be$100,000from2022-2025.
Staff propose that the required budget be accommodated by reallocating $770K of the 2022-
2025 Formal Traffic Calming Budget to the Vision Zero Strategy budget. This will reduce the
number of Formal Traffic Calming projects from threeper year to one per year. This budget
reallocation will ensure that the existing Formal Traffic Calming budgetwill be utilized in
areas most needed through a holistic data-driven approach.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM –This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of
the council / committee meeting.
CONSULT –In 2020/2021 staffmet with advisory committees including Mayor's Advisory
Council for Kitchener Seniors, KitchenerActive Transportation andTrails Advisory
Committee, Kitchener Youth Action Council, Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee,
Safe and Healthy Communities Advisory Committeeand Vision Zero Sub-committee.The
Vision Zero Sub-Committee is a sub-committee of the Active Transportation and Trails
Advisory Committee, including members of the public to provide a community perspective
on street safety issues and Vision Zero action items, to promote public awareness and
education for street safety initiatives and programs with the aim to encourage community
participation and cooperation.
The intent of these meetings was to raise awareness about Vision Zero and to receive
feedback. Through these sessions staff received valuable feedback including street safety
priorities and concerns, action item options, data collection and evaluation
On November 16, 2021 the Kitchener Active Transportationand Trails Advisory commented
on the proposed Strategy and passed the following motion with a seven to three split.
The committee received and endorses the Vision Zero subcommittee report; and,
recommends that the Vision Zero strategy be amended to reflect these comments.”
The full comments are provided inAttachmentB. Staff’s responses to thesecomments and
recommendations are provided in AttachmentC.
To better understand street safety concerns and prioritiesfrom City of Kitchener residents,
an online survey was released using the Engage Kitchener platform. The survey was
released in November2019 and stayed open for a duration of two months. A total of 443
responses were received. The survey was not conducted as a statistically representative
exercise through a third party. The survey showed that speeding/aggressive driving,
distracted driving and geometry design issues are the top three concerns of the Kitchener
residents.
A second online survey was released on the Engage Kitchener platform to gauge resident
feedbackon the proposed action items within the City of Kitchener’s Vision Zero Strategy.
The survey was released in October 2021 and remained open for a duration of three weeks.
A total of 296 responses were received.The survey was not conducted as a statistically
representative exercise through a third party. The survey showed that 62% of the
respondents are supportive of the proposed action items, with 17% neither supportive or
opposed and 21% opposed.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
DSD-20-035 Vision Zero Review
APPROVEDBY: Justin Readman, General Manager
Development Services Department
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A –City of Kitchener’s Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
Attachment B –Active Transportation and Trails Advisory CommitteeFeedback and
Recommendations
Attachment C –StaffResponses to the Active Transportation and Trails Advisory
CommitteeFeedback and Recommendations
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
CITY OF KITCHENER
VISION ZERO STRATEGY
2022-2025
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December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. 3
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 5
REVIEW OF OTHER VISION ZERO STRATEGIES .............................................................................................. 8
COLLISION ANALYSIS ..................................................................................................................................... 9
PUBLIC and STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT ................................................................................................. 14
VISION and OBJECTIVES .............................................................................................................................. 17
EMPHASIS AREAS ........................................................................................................................................ 18
ACTION ITEMS ............................................................................................................................................. 19
IMPLEMENTATION ...................................................................................................................................... 34
PROGRAM EVALUATION ............................................................................................................................. 35
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................................... 36
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December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
framework to improve street safety for all street
users regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation. The goal of this strategy is to achieve zero
serious injuries and fatalities on City of Kitchener streets
To identify and prioritize safety improvements, emphasis areas have been identified. The emphasis areas
have been selected based on background research, industry best practices, collision analysis, public and
The emphasis areas include:
Vulnerable Street Users: pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, school children, seniors, and people
using mobility devices;
High Risk Locations: school zones, residential zones and hot spots; and,
High Risk Driving: aggressive driving, distracted driving and speeding.
Collision analysis shows that on average over 1,200 collisions occur annually on Kitchener streets. This
includes more than 200 injury collisions per year. Additionally, over the past decade, the City of Kitchener
has averaged one fatality per year on City streets. Although most of the collisions involve vehicles only,
the data shows that vulnerable road users are disproportionately represented in injury or fatal collisions.
Collision analysis also showed no significant increasing or decreasing trend in the number of injury and
fatal collisions on Kitchener roads since 2005. This Vision Zero Strategy is aimed at changing this to a
declining trend that observes fewer collisions resulting in serious injuries and fatalities in future years.
For the development of the City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy, The City has engaged with wide-range
of stakeholders including residents, City of Kitchener advisory committees and municipal and regional
agencies related to street safety. A project team and a project consultation groups was created and
consisted of representatives from the Waterloo Region Police Services, Region of Waterloo Transportation
Services Division, Region of Waterloo Grand River Transit, Region of Waterloo Public Health and
Emergency Services, Regional of Waterloo School Travel Planning, City of Waterloo, City of Cambridge and
City of Kitchener internal divisions including Transportation Services, Corporate Communications and
Marketing, Operations Roads and Traffic, Parks and Cemeteries and Fleet.
City staff also collaborated with the University of Waterloo Transportation Engineering team to leverage
their expertise in the development of the strategy. The partnership is a three year (2021-2023)
collaborative effort with the University of Waterloo, City of Kitchener, City of Waterloo, Region of
Waterloo, and an industry partner; Miovision Technologies; aiming to develop optimal Vision Zero safety
improvement programs.
Community engagement included meetings with the City of Kitchener Advisory Committees and two
online public surveys through the Engage Kitchener platform. In 2020/2021 staff met with advisory
committees including Mayor's Advisory Council for Kitchener Seniors, Kitchener Active Transportation and
Trails Advisory Committee, Kitchener Youth Action Council, Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
and Safe and Healthy Communities Advisory Committee. The intent of these meetings was to raise
awareness about Vision Zero and to receive feedback. Through these sessions staff received valuable
feedback including street safety priorities and concerns, action item options, data collection and
evaluation.
3
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
To better understand street safety concerns and priorities for Kitchener residents, an online survey was
released using the Engage Kitchener platform. The survey was released in November 2019 and was open
for a duration of two months. A total of 443 responses were received. The survey showed that
speeding/aggressive driving, distracted driving, and geometry design issues are the top three concerns for
Kitchener residents. A second online survey was released on the Engage Kitchener platform to gauge
survey was released in October 2021 and remained open for a duration of three weeks. A total of 296
responses were received. The survey showed that on average 62% of the respondents are supportive of
the proposed action items, with 17% neither supportive or opposed and 21% opposed.
The action items included in the proposed Vision Zero Strategy were determined based on the identified
emphasis areas, best practices, stakeholder engagement, data, and available resources. The action items
are categorized into The F- Evaluation, Engineering, Enforcement, Education and
Engagement. The Vision Zero Strategy action items identified in this strategy will be implemented over
four years from 2022 to 2025.
Some action items are an enhanced/expanded version of an existing program. As a result, they will have
minimal cost impact and will be supported using existing budget. Some of the action items can be funded
through reallocating existing budget from other projects. This will help ensure that the existing budget is
utilized in the areas most needed through a holistic data driven approach. Some action items require a
more in-depth review prior to determining the required budget and resources. These reviews will be
completed as part of the Vision Zero Strategy during the next four years and the recommendations, and
the associated budget ask will be presented to Council separately in the future.
required timelines. Some of the action items such as network screening, countermeasure evaluation and
educational campaigns will occur on an annual basis while others, such as developing new policies and
guidelines, will be one-time projects. Considering that this Vision Zero Strategy is an evolving document,
the prioritization of the action items is subject to change depending on a number of factors such as
evolving street safety priorities, resident engagement, success of the proposed countermeasures,
available resources, etc. Staff will be monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed action
items and will be reporting back on the progress and success of the programs on an annual basis.
4
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
INTRODUCTION
In March 2020, City of Kitchener Council directed staff
to develop a Vision Zero Strategy for the streets under the
jurisdiction of the City of Kitchener. The goal of a Vision
Zero strategy is to improve street safety for all road users
regardless of age, ability or mode of transportation.
On average over 1,200 collisions occur annually on
Kitchener streets. This includes more than 200 injury
collisions per year. Additionally, over the past decade, the
City of Kitchener has averaged one fatality per year on City
streets. Although most of the collisions involve vehicles
only, the data shows that vulnerable road users are
disproportionately represented in injury or fatal collisions.
Vision Zero is a far-reaching safety strategy with the
stated goal of eliminating traffic related fatalities and
serious injuries.
Since its inception in Sweden over 20 years ago, Vision
Zero has become a global movement adopted
by municipalities around the world. As of March 2021, 47
American cities and 18 Canadian cities have adopted the
Vision Zero approach within their roadway
safety strategies and many other cities are
also conducting research on the potential benefits of this
approach.
Vision Zero is based on the following principles:
No preventable loss of life is acceptable.
Mistakes and driver error should be expected
and anticipated.
Road safety is a shared responsibility.
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December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
A NEW WAY OF THINKING
E IX X£X J X¦ ¦J¨ Z |
z JM£ JZX XXŗ
JJN| XX JZX¨ ¥X£ X JTJґ JZX¨ JJN|Xŗ
VISION ZERO APPROACH TRADITIONAL STREET SAFETY APPROACHES
Traffic fatalities and serious injuries are not
Traffic fatalities and serious injuries are preventable
preventable
Humans make mistakes. Therefore, traffic facilities
should be designed to account for these mistakes Human mistakes are the cause of collisions
and errors
Prevent collisions that result in serious injuries and
fatalities. No serious injuries or loss of life is Prevent all collisions
acceptable
Safety is a shared responsibility between those who
Road users carry more responsibility for their
design, operate, maintain, and use transportation
safety.
infrastructure
Proactive and systemic prioritization of street safety
Reactive approach to collisions
improvements
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December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
The most common framework used in developing a Vision Zero Strategy
traffic safety. These are Evaluation, Engineering, Enforcement, Education and Engagement. Vision Zero
ssfully incorporated.
Evaluation
EngagementEngineering
Vision Zero
Elements
Enforcement
Education
Evaluation: An effective Vision Zero program requires a continuous data driven evaluation and analysis of
the safety of the road network. This includes the ability to continuously track the impact of safety related
efforts and understanding the causality behind the traffic related serious injuries and fatalities. Annual
collision analysis and network screening are prime examples of an ongoing evaluation strategy.
Engineering: The design, operations and maintenance of the transportation network can have a significant
impact on the frequency and severity of collisions occurring. Engineering tactics contained in a Vision Zero
Strategy acknowledges the role of human error and aims to account for these errors. For example,
countermeasures such as dedicated infrastructure for vulnerable street users are proven to improve
traffic safety for all street users.
Enforcement: Inappropriate driver behaviour such as impaired driving, distracted driving and speeding
are major contributors to severe collisions. These high-risk behaviours can be reduced through different
types of police enforcement and related programs. Targeted enforcement of speeding, distracted driving
and ride programs are common tools in this area.
Education: Increased awareness and education related to street safety is fundamental to all Vision Zero
programs. Educational programs/campaigns should be strategically used to target at different groups and
issues including children, young drivers, fleet drivers. distracted and aggressive driving, etc.
Engagement: The continuous involvement of communities and other stakeholders is key to a successful
and effective Vision Zero program. Engagement provides the opportunity for community stakeholders to
contribute to ideas and focused areas of priority contained within a Vision Zero action plan. Supporting
advocacy groups that both promote and challenge street safety programs and plans is an example of a
Vision Zero engagement strategy.
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December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
REVIEW OF OTHER VISION ZERO STRATEGIES
To leverage the experiences of other jurisdictions that have developed and incorporated a Vision Zero
plan, a review was conducted on the following jurisdictions:
Canadian cities: Toronto, Hamilton, Vancouver, Edmonton and Ottawa;
US cities: San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, Portland, Seattle, Washington D.C., Boston, and
Los Angeles; and,
European countries: Sweden and Netherlands.
The experience from a mix of locations were considered in this review including early adopters in the US,
road safety leaders in Europe, as well as the experience from Canadian municipalities. The review shows
that the Vision Zero plans adopted have generally been successful in reaching the goal of reducing serious
injuries and fatalities.
A common theme across the successful Vision Zero plans is the involvement and cooperation of multiple
stakeholders including but not limited to enforcement, public health and emergency services and
community stakeholders. These plans all acknowledge that Vision Zero is a multi-disciplinary effort that is
successful when all stakeholders combine efforts in achieving a common goal.
Another common theme throughout the various action plans is a focus on the safety needs of vulnerable
street users such as pedestrians, cyclists, seniors, and children; all of whom are typically overrepresented
in serious traffic related injuries and/or death.
Although the Vision Zero action plans vary from one city to another due to differing views and priorities,
principles that the safety action items all adhere to.
8
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
Engineering countermeasures are a significant part of all Vision Zero plans reviewed. Each
countermeasure was evaluated based on how widely it is accepted and utilized in various parts of the
world and how effective it has been in reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
COLLISION ANALYSIS
An analysis to help guide the development
of a Vision Zero strategy. This analysis was focused on collisions that have occurred on the streets under
the jurisdiction of the City of Kitchener. Due to the impacts of the pandemic and the data availability when
the analysis was conducted the collision analysis does not include the 2019 and 2020 data.
Of the 2,217 lane km of roads within the City of Kitchener, 1,569 lane km of roadways are under the
jurisdiction of the City of Kitchener, 499 lane km of the roadways fall under the jurisdiction of the Region
of Waterloo, and 149 lane km of
roadways fall under the jurisdiction of
the Ministry of Transportation.
For the purposes of this review,
roadways under the jurisdiction of the
Region of Waterloo and the Ministry of
Transportation have not been
included. Staff have worked
collaboratively with the Region of
Waterloo on efforts that impact roads
under the jurisdiction of the City of
Kitchener and the action items under
this Strategy are in alignment with the
Regions Road Safety Program (RSP).
Map 1 shows the location of all the
collisions that have occurred on
Kitchener streets for a five-year period
of 2014-2018. As shown in the map,
the downtown area shows a higher
concentration of collisions which is
likely due to the higher level of
exposure of different modes of traffic.
Other neighbourhoods within the City
show a fairly uniform distribution of
collisions.
ağƦ Њ /ƚƌƌźƭźƚƓƭ ƚƓ wƚğķƭ ǒƓķĻƩ ƷŷĻ WǒƩźƭķźĭƷźƚƓ ƚŅ ƷŷĻ /źƷǤ ƚŅ YźƷĭŷĻƓĻƩ ΛЋЉЊЍΏЋЉЊБΜ
9
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
Chart 1 illustrates the trend of collisions on Kitchener streets since 2005. The blue line shows the collisions
resulting in property damage only (PDO), the orange line shows the collisions that have resulted in injuries
and the red line shows the collisions that have resulted in fatalities. As shown in Graph 1, no significant
increasing or decreasing trend is observed in the number of collisions since 2005 for any of the categories.
The goal of this Vision Zero Strategy is to change this to a declining trend that observes fewer collisions
involving serious injuries and fatalities in future years.
1400
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1159
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1096
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20052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018
Fatal CollisionsInjury CollisionsPDO Collisions
/ŷğƩƷ Њ /ƚƌƌźƭźƚƓ ƩĻƓķ ƚƓ YźƷĭŷĻƓĻƩ {ƷƩĻĻƷƭ ΛЋЉЉЎΏЋЉЊБΜ
Map 2 shows the location of the injury and fatal
collisions for a five-year period from 2014 to 2018.
The collisions involving property damage only or
minimal injuries that did not require admission to a
hospital have been excluded from this map.
Map 2 shows that collisions involving injuries and
fatalities are not limited to major roadways and are
also occurring within local neighbourhood streets.
This is a critical piece of information that will be
utilized in determining the focus areas of this Vision
Zero Strategy.
This data will be further used to develop a collision
prediction model that incorporates observed
collisions and exposure factors to identify priority
locations for intervention.
ağƦ Ћ LƓƆǒƩǤ ğƓķ CğƷğƌ /ƚƌƌźƭźƚƓƭ ƚƓ YźƷĭŷĻƓĻƩ {ƷƩĻĻƷƭ ΛЋЉЊЍΏЋЉЊБΜ
10
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
Chart 2 breaks down the number of serious injury and fatal collisions from 2014 to 2018 by the involved
user type including drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians. Graph 1.1 shows that the number of
serious injury and fatal collisions are disproportionally higher for collisions involving a vulnerable street
user including pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists. In other words, a vulnerable street user has a
significantly higher chance of being killed or seriously injured in a collision.
16
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111
0
20142015201620172018
CyclistMotorcyclePedestrianVehicle Only
/ŷğƩƷ Ћ {ĻƩźƚǒƭ LƓƆǒƩǤ ğƓķ CğƷğƌ /ƚƌƌźƭźƚƓƭ ƚƓ YźƷĭŷĻƓĻƩ {ƷƩĻĻƷƭ ΛЋЉЊЍΏЋЉЊБΜ
A detailed analysis has been conducted on the serious injury and fatal collisions to identify the most
contributing factors in the occurrence of these collisions. Chart 3 below shows that distracted driving,
aggressive driving/speeding, are the top two contributing factors in these collisions.
60%
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5%
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Distracted drivingAggressive drivingPedestrians crossingRain or snow on theImpaired driving
and speedingwithout right-of-wayground
/ŷğƩƷ Ќ /ƚƓƷƩźĬǒƷźƓŭ CğĭƷƚƩƭ źƓ {ĻƩźƚǒƭ LƓƆǒƩǤ ğƓķ CğƷğƌ /ƚƌƌźƭźƚƓƭ ƚƓ YźƷĭŷĻƓĻƩ {ƷƩĻĻƷƭ
11
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
Vulnerable Street Users Collisions
Vulnerable street users include
pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists and
are a main focus of the Vision Zero Strategy
A detailed analysis has been conducted on
collisions involving these users.
Map 3 shows the location of the collisions
involving vulnerable road users for a five-
year period of 2014-2018.
Chart 4 below shows the trend of these
collisions from 2005 to 2018. As shown in
the chart, no significant increasing or
decreasing trend is observed in the data.
This Vision Zero Strategy will attempt to
change this to a declining trend in future
years that observes fewer collisions
involving vulnerable street users.
ağƦ Ќ /ƚƌƌźƭźƚƓƭ LƓǝƚƌǝźƓŭ ǒƌƓĻƩğĬƌĻ {ƷƩĻĻƷ
ƭĻƩƭ ƚƓ YźƷĭŷĻƓĻƩ {ƷƩĻĻƷƭ ΛЋЉЊЍΏЋЉЊБΜ
48
37
42
41
32
34
3640
35
37
28
25
37
19
14
20
91329
17
9
915
13
12
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9
6
36
3434
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292929
28
252525
23
22
18
20052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018
CyclistMootorcyclePedestrian
/ŷğƩƷ Ѝ ƩĻƓķ ƚŅ /ƚƌƌźƭźƚƓƭ LƓǝƚƌǝźƓŭ ǒƌƓĻƩğĬƌĻ {ƷƩĻĻƷ
ƭĻƩƭ ƚƓ YźƷĭŷĻƓĻƩ wƚğķƭ ΛЋЉЉЎΏЋЉЊБΜ
12
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
Chart 5 compares the breakdown of the collisions by property damage only, injury and fatal collisions for
collisions involving vehicles only versus collisions involving vulnerable street users. The charts show that
more than 84% of the collisions involving vulnerable street users result in injuries or fatalities while
approximately 13% of the collisions involving vehicles only result in injuries and fatalities. This shows that
vulnerable street users are overrepresented in injury and fatal collisions and therefore should be a focus
when implementing street safety improvements.
Vulnerable road users collisions
Vehicles collisions
1%
0%
13%
16%
83%
87%
FatalInjuryPDOFatalInjuryPDO
/ŷğƩƷ Ў .ƩĻğƉķƚǞƓ ƚŅ /ƚƌƌźƭźƚƓƭ ĬǤ LƓƆǒƩǤ
13
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
PUBLIC and STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
A successful Vision Zero program requires ongoing engagement from multiple functions and stakeholders.
For the development of the City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy, the City has engaged with different
stakeholders including residents, City of Kitchener advisory committees and municipal and regional
agencies related to street safety.
Project Team and Project Consultation Group
The project team members were selected to ensure representation from each of the Vision Zero elements.
The project team consisted of the City of Kitchener Transportation Services staff, the City of Kitchener
Corporate Communications and Marketing staff, the Region of Waterloo Police Services and the Regional
of Waterloo School Travel Planning.
In addition to the project team, a project consultation group was established consisting of representatives
from the Region of Waterloo Transportation Services Division, Region of Waterloo Grand River Transit,
Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services, City of Kitchener Engineering Division, City of
Kitchener Operation - Roads and Traffic Division, City of Kitchener Parks and Cemeteries Division, City of
, City of Waterloo and City of Cambridge. The project team met with the project
consultation group on key milestones with the objective of identifying street safety priorities and
brainstorming solutions/action items.
City staff also collaborated with the University of Waterloo Transportation Engineering team to leverage
their expertise in the development of the strategy. The partnership is a three year (2021-2023)
collaborative effort with the University of Waterloo, City of Kitchener, City of Waterloo, Region of
Waterloo and an industry partner; Miovision Technologies; aiming to develop optimal Vision Zero safety
improvement programs. Specifically, the partnership is set to achieve the goals of developing a new
framework for assessing system-wide impacts of various countermeasures and optimizing the
implementation strategies of specific programs. The University of Waterloo has assisted the City with
research on best practices and network screening/hot spot identification.
14
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
Advisory Committees Engagement
Throughout 2020 and 2021 staff met with advisory
committees including Mayor's Advisory Council for
Kitchener Seniors, Kitchener Cycling and Trails Advisory
Committee, Kitchener Youth Action Council, Grand River
Accessibility Advisory Committee and Safe and Healthy
Communities Advisory Committee. The intent of these
meetings was to raise awareness about Vision Zero and to
receive feedback. Through these sessions staff received
valuable feedback including street safety concerns, action
item options and data collection and evaluation requests.
Public Engagement
action
Strategy, two online surveys were released using the Engage
Kitchener platform. The first survey was released in
November 2020 and stayed open for a duration of two
months. A total of 443 responses were received. The second
survey was released in October 2021 and stayed open for a
duration of three weeks. A total of 296 responses were
received in the second survey. Participating in the surveys
required email registration in order to reduce duplicate
responses and to help prevent bias in the results.
An analysis was conducted on the demographic
characteristics of the respondents which showed a balanced
representation in the age, gender and income threshold of
the respondents.
The main highlights of the survey are summarized below:
Kitchener Residents
90% of the respondents drive on a daily/weekly
basis
85% of the respondents walk on a daily/weekly
basis
45% of the respondents cycle at least once a month
24% of the respondents use public transit at least
once a month
4% of the respondents use mobility devices
15
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
Kitchener Residents Road Safety Experience
Car
69%13%18%
Most of the respondents feel safe when
Walking
68%11%21%
driving
20% of the respondents do not feel safe
Cycling
37%14%49%
when walking
Half of the respondents feel unsafe when
Public Transit
76%15%8%
cycling
Mobility Device
37%43%20%
Most of the public transit users feel safe
when using public transit
0%20%40%60%80%100%
Most of the respondents using mobility
Somewhat safe to very safeNeither safe nor unsafe
devices did not indicate that they feel safe
when using tation
Somewhat unsafe to very unsafe
facilities
/ŷğƩƷ Џ
Kitchener Residents Road Safety Concerns
Speeding/aggressive driving
76%
Speeding and aggressive driving is the top
concern of the respondents (76% of the
Distracted drivers
48%respondents).
Almost half of the respondents are
Geometry design issues
37%concerned about distracted driving.
Almost 40% of the respondents believe that
Lack of safe cycling facilities
street design should be improved.
26%
About 25% of the respondents believe that
Lack of enforcement
the cycling facilities should be
26%
improved/expanded.
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%
About 25% of the respondents believe that
/ŷğƩƷ А
enforcement should be increased.
October 2021 Survey Participant Feedback on the Proposed Action Items
62% of the respondents are supportive of the proposed action items, with 17% neither supportive nor
opposed and 21% opposed.
53% of the respondents believe that the proposed action items address their concerns, reflect their street
safety priorities and overall are the right action items to improve street safety in Kitchener. 14% are neither in
agreement nor in disagreement, and 32% in disagreement with the statement above.
16
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
VISION and OBJECTIVES
Through collaboration with stakeholders and the project team, the following vision and mission statement
have been developed for the
Vision Statement:
To reduce collisions that result in severe
injury or fatality to zero for all street
users including drivers, cyclists,
pedestrians, transit users and people
using mobility devices on City of
Kitchener streets.
Objectives:
Over a four-year plan we aim to achieve the
following.
A declining trend in the number of
collisions involving serious injuries or
fatalities
Data driven decision making and
focusing resources in areas with the
highest expected impact
Increased public awareness and
education about Vision Zero
Enhanced collaboration and data sharing
with key stakeholders
Ongoing engagement with Kitchener
residents and other stakeholders
This vision is a long-term goal requiring significant support, collaboration and resources from different
functions and stakeholders. The City is taking a multi-step approach towards this goal. At the end of each
step, the outcomes and actions will be evaluated and revised to ensure continuous progress towards the
vision.
17
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
EMPHASIS AREAS
To help prioritize street safety
improvements and to better utilize the
available resources and funding in the
most efficient way, The City has
developed a number of Emphasis Areas.
Emphasis Areas are areas of
opportunities to improve road safety.
The proposed action items of the Vision
Zero Strategy are selected in alignment
with the Emphasis Areas.
The City has identified the Emphasis
Areas based on data analysis,
background research, and public and
stakeholder engagement. The City of
strategic goals and priorities
involving active transportation has also
been considered in identifying the
emphasis areas.
The emphasis areas identified are
categorized into three groups:
Vulnerable street users
Location
High risk driving
Vulnerable street users: data analysis, research from other municipalities and public and stakeholder
engagement have consistently shown that vulnerable street users including pedestrians, cyclists,
motorcyclists, school children, seniors and people living with mobility challenges, should be a key focus
area of a Vision Zero Strategy.
Location: resources should be deployed in the most efficient way possible, focusing on
specific locations such as residential zones, school zones and hot spots where the probability of a collision
involving a serious injury or fatality is higher risk.
High risk driving: both the data analysis and public/stakeholder engagement showed that high risk driving
behavior including aggressive driving, speeding and distracted driving are some of the most important
contributing factors to collisions involving serious injuries or fatalities and should be a focus area.
18
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
ACTION ITEMS
The Vision Zero Strategy involves several street safety programs/initiatives that are important to reduce
the probability of collisions resulting in a serious injury or fatality. Action items are selected based on data
analysis, experience of other municipalities, public and stakeholder engagement, and available resources.
The action items selected are in alignment with the Emphasis Areas described above.
Three categories of action items are considered under this Vision Zero Strategy:
Existing Action Items: these are existing street safety programs in the City of Kitchener;
Enhanced Action Items: these are existing street safety programs in the City of Kitchener that
are proposed to be enhanced or expanded through the Vision Zero Strategy;
New Action Items: these are new programs/initiatives that are proposed to be
implemented in the Vision Zero Strategy.
The proposed action items are further categorized into each element of Vision Zero. Each category is
further expanded in the following sections.
19
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
1. EVALUATION
An effective Vision Zero program requires continuous data-driven evaluation and analysis
of street network safety. This includes the ability to continuously track the impact of safety-related-
efforts to better understand the causality behind the traffic related serious injuries and fatalities. Annual
collision analysis and network screening are examples of an ongoing evaluation strategy.
Safety evaluation of the transportation network enables a data driven approach towards the identification
of high priority areas and countermeasure implementation. This approach ensures that the available City
resources are utilized in the most efficient manner. Once a countermeasure is implemented, continuous
evaluation of its effectiveness helps to develop an understanding of whether the safety objectives have
been met or further improvements are required.
The accuracy and quality of street safety evaluation programs depend on the quality and quantity of the
traffic and collision data available. Currently the collision data up to the end of 2019 has been used as the
basis of the analysis in this Vision Zero Strategy. The analysis will be continuously updated as more recent
data becomes available.
20
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
EXISTING EVALUATION ACTION ITEMS
Traffic Data Collection: traffic data is collected on an annual basis to determine the best locations
to install traffic calming measures. Traffic speed and volume data allow staff to make data-based
recommendations about traffic calming and other transportation initiatives. Each year data is
collected on approximately 300 roadways.
Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP): representatives from the Region of Waterloo, area
municipalities and Waterloo Regional Police Services staff hold regular meetings to review traffic
and collision data. In these meetings areas for targeted and increased enforcement are discussed
and data is used to help prioritize high priority locations.
Reactive (complaint driven) safety evaluation: upon receiving a traffic safety related
complaint/concern, the necessary data is gathered and evaluated to identify the underlying
causes of the traffic safety problem. Based on the evaluation results and available resources, a
suitable countermeasure may be determined and implemented through existing programs and
processes.
ENHANCED EXISTING EVALUATION ACTION ITEMS
The following street safety improvements are to be enhanced and are described in the next section.
Project Impact Evaluation
Collision Network Screening and Hot Spot Identification
Safe Driving Practices Program for City Fleet
ENHANCED and NEW EVALUATION ACTION ITEMS
Collision Network Screening and Hot Spot Identification: Currently the collision data is mainly used
to prioritize traffic calming efforts. The database is updated every year and is used as a
determining factor in the traffic calming scoring system. Collision data is also used as the means
to evaluate different safety countermeasures on a reactive basis. Through the Vision Zero
Strategy, a network screening process is proposed that provides a systematic method to
proactively identify a list of locations with high collision risk (hot spots) by supplementing the
collision data with multiple other factors including site characteristics, traffic volumes, speeds,
exposure, etc.
Project Impact Evaluation: The impact of all safety related projects including traffic calming
projects, cycling facilities, speed reduction projects, and all other safety countermeasures
implemented are quantified and evaluated. Depending on the project objectives, the impact
evaluation plan details and timelines are designed, and the required data is collected before and
after implementation. The result of project impact evaluation informs future decision makings
around safety improvements. The project impact evaluation is planned to be enhanced through
collecting new sources of data and conducting before-after studies to assess the effectiveness of
the road safety improvements that will be implemented through the Vision Zero Strategy.
21
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
Safe Driving Practices Program for City Fleet: The City of Kitchener has committed to safe driving
practices and reduction of injuries as a result of collisions. In 2014 City installed AVL/GPS devices
on all mobile motorized equipment to encourage municipal workers to practice safe driving
behaviors. By having the capability to monitor aggressive or unsafe vehicle operation, including
swerving, harsh braking, rapid acceleration, and speeding, Fleet and divisional managers can take
steps to correct and coach this behavior immediately furthering the goals of Vision Zero. Staff
will be assessing the content of the driver behaviour data through the quarterly Fleet Users
Working Group as way to further enhance the Cities commitment to safe driving practices with
possible incentive for drivers who exceptional safe and productive driving behaviours. !
!
Severe Injury and Fatal Collision Investigation Program: Develop and implement a program to
systematically investigate severe injury and fatal collisions in collaboration with Region of
Waterloo, Public Health and Emergency Services and Police Services. Reviews will be conducted
to investigate the trends in collision causes, provide solutions and implement countermeasures
within a given timeframe. !
!
Collaboration and Data Sharing with the Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency
Services: Collaboration and data sharing with the Region of Waterloo Public Health and
Emergency Services to maximize safety efforts and understand collisions causes and the nature
of injuries. As part of this collaboration, the role of societal inequity and demographic
characteristics in the occurrence of serious injury and fatal collisions will also be investigated.
Targeted countermeasures to enhance street safety equity will be applied.
!
22
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
2. ENGINEERING
The design, operation and maintenance of the transportation network can have a significant impact on
the frequency and severity of collisions. Engineering tactics contained in a Vision Zero
Strategy acknowledges the role of human error and aims to account for these errors. For example,
countermeasures such as traffic calming designs and dedicated infrastructure for vulnerable street users
are proven to improve traffic safety for all street users.
Engineering countermeasures could vary from adding signs and pavement markings, which are cost
effective and can usually be implemented within a shorter period of time, to significant capital projects
that have higher costs and could take several years to design and implement. The best opportunity for
major street safety redesigns is during the road reconstruction phase, which usually happen every
25 to 50 years for each street. Transportation Services, in collaboration with the Engineering division will
ensure to use these opportunities to implement complete street designs that provide a safer space for all
street users regardless of age, ability or mode of transportation.
Engineering countermeasures are typically targeted and site-specific. For this reason, assessment of their
effectiveness is more straightforward. Experience from other municipalities on the effectiveness of
engineering countermeasures will be used in selecting the most impactful countermeasures.
23
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
EXISTING ENGINEERING ACTION ITEMS
of the Complete Streets
Guidelines, which provides extensive technical guidance, based on industry best practices. Street
design guidance includes cross sections, intersections and street design features for each of the
four travel modes: pedestrian, cycling, transit and motor vehicles. These guidelines also provide
related evaluation and education tactics to support the design improvements.
Cycling and Trails Master Plan: The Cycling and Trails Master Plan guides the development of safe
and convenient active transportation options for people of all ages and abilities over the next 20
years. It focuses on creating networks for people of all ages and abilities that reflects current best
practices in active transportation. This guide identifies priorities of projects that will provide
connected networks of on-street cycling routes and off-street trails for users of all ages and
abilities.
Downtown Cycling Grid: The Downtown Cycling Grid provides infrastructure that is safe,
comfortable and convenient for all ages and abilities. Through a combination of trails, separated
bike lanes on busy streets and neighbourhood bikeways on quiet streets, the grid consists of 10
km of new or upgraded infrastructure, providing residents with access to all that downtown as to
offer.
School Crossing Guards: To improve safety for students, typically kindergarten to grade 6, the City
assigns crossing guards at eligible locations using a justification system. For locations which meet
the criteria, staff will then recommend a crossing guard to assist students in crossing the roadway
on their way to and from school.
Construction/work site safety: Staff make sure that all the contractors follow the street safety
provisions for any construction/work site through requiring the contractors to apply for a
construction/work site permit. The permit requires the contractors to abide by the transportation
safety rules and standards.
Complaint Review and Mitigation: Process to investigate street safety complaints and provide
solutions. Upon receiving a traffic safety related complaint/concern, details are logged, and the
necessary data is gathered and evaluated to identify the underlying causes of the traffic safety
problem. Based on the evaluation results and available resources, a suitable countermeasure is
determined and implemented.
ENHANCED EXISTING ENGINEERING ACTION ITEMS
The following street safety improvements are to be enhanced and are described in the next section.
40km/h Speed Limit Review
Formal Traffic Calming
Seasonal Traffic Calming
School Route Safety
Sidewalk Infill Policy
24
December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
ENHANCED and NEW ENGINEERING ACTION ITEMS
40km/h Speed Limit Review: Staff have conducted a pilot project in three neighbourhoods to
evaluate the effectiveness of reducing speed limits from 50 km/h to 40km/h. The speed limit of
school zones within the pilot areas were further reduced from 40km/h to 30km/h. This study
showed that by reducing speed limits, vehicle operating speeds were reduced by 7% on average.
Based on the results of the pilot project Council approved a reduced speed limit in all residential
neighbourhoods within the City of Kitchener, from 50km/h to 40km/h, and a reduced speed limit
in school zones and along signed and identified neighbourhood bikeways, from 40km/h to
30km/h.
Formal Traffic Calming: Each year staff complete three formal traffic calming projects. The three
project locations are selected based on a ranking system using criteria such as speed, volume, and
collision history. Formal traffic calming includes geometric changes to the roadway such as speed
humps, speed cushions curb extensions, raised crosswalks, and pedestrian islands. The three
locations that score the highest are recommended for the formal traffic calming process. Through
this process local neighbourhoods are engaged to understand challenges, opportunities and to
develop the most appropriate traffic calming approach for their roadway. This program will be
reviewed as part of the Vision Zero Strategy to update the policy, find opportunities to streamline
the process, and ensure that the measures implemented are consistent with best practices.
Seasonal Traffic Calming: Seasonal Traffic Calming includes in-road flexible signs that are placed
in the middle of the roadway to help calm traffic. These in-road signs help narrow the roadway
and provide a visual cue to drivers that slower speeds are appropriate. Seasonal traffic calming
also includes radar speed signs. The purpose of radar speed signs is to slow cars down by making
drivers aware when they are driving at speeds above the posted limits. Transportation staff work
with Ward Councillors to determine the most suitable seasonal traffic calming locations each
year. Seasonal traffic calming measures are installed in the spring and removed in the fall before
winter maintenance starts. This program will be reviewed as part of the Vision Zero Strategy to
develop a council approved policy, streamline the process and ensure that the measures
implemented are consistent with best practices.
School Route Safety: School zones that require safety improvements are identified on a
complaints-driven basis. Based on data gathered by the school travel planner, recommendations
are made that prompt municipal transportation staff to conduct a review to determine the
appropriate design improvements, which are then implemented as budget permits. Through the
Vision Zero Strategy, a summary of best practices specific to school zones will be developed. This
guide will include the best practices on safety design requirements in school zones based on local
context.
Sidewalk Infill Policy: This policy provides a priority list for new sidewalk locations based on a
scoring system which aims to provide a safe and connected network of sidewalks for pedestrians.
Through the Vision Zero Strategy, this policy will be reviewed to ensure that the process is
streamlined and that the prioritization criteria is up to date.
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City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
Vulnerable Street User Areas Policy: Develop a policy specific to locations expecting a high volume
of vulnerable street users such as pedestrians, cyclists, seniors, children, etc. This policy
will include enhanced traffic safety measures such as lower speed limits, improved pavement
markings, enhanced signage, and traffic calming measures. The policy will determine a process
for evaluating and selecting areas for implementation.
Pedestrian Crossover Handbook: Develop a summary of best practices for Pedestrian Crossover
(PXO) considering local context to ensure safe crossing of pedestrians regardless of age and ability.
This document will be used as a guide in future projects, and retrofitting existing locations as
required.
Accessibility Improvement Handbook: Develop a summary of best practices for accessibility
requirements for all modes of transportation. This document will be used as a guide in future
projects to help ensure that accessibility requirements are implemented.
Hot Spot Improvements: Based on the evaluation results, areas with a higher risk for serious or
fatal collisions should be identified and prioritized. Appropriate engineering countermeasures
should be implemented in priority areas. Examples of these countermeasures include enhanced
pavement markings and signage, street geometry changes, and enhanced traffic calming
measures.
Fleet Safety Improvements:
evaluated. These new safety measures include truck sideguards (truck lateral protective devices
\[LPDs\]) and enhanced dash cameras. Truck sideguards identified in the industry as Lateral
Protective Devices (LPDs) are devices designed to keep pedestrians and bicyclists from being run
over b-impact collisions. The city will continue to explore and
assess these devices under the Vision Zero initiative. The City also intends to expand and enhance
the current dash camera system due to the outdated technology currently in use. With the help
of dash cam footage and advanced safety features, the City can easily pinpoint which drivers need
and Compliance program.
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City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
3. ENFORCEMENT
Inappropriate driver behavior such as impaired driving, distracted driving and speeding are major
contributors to severe collisions. These high-risk behaviors can be reduced through different types of
police enforcement and related educational programs. Targeted enforcement of speeding, distracted
driving and ride programs are common tools in this area. Enforcement measures can be continuous or
temporary programs and can be targeted to specific locations or be applied on a broader scale.
The City of Kitchener continues to work with Region of Waterloo Police Services and
regularly communicates the priorities that require enforcement. Considering the limited
authority of The City of Kitchener has in the enforcement area, the key objective of the action items under
this category is continuing and enhancing collaboration and data sharing to ensure that the available
resources are utilized to full capacity and at priority locations.
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City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
EXISTING ENFORCEMENT ACTION ITEMS
2021 Road Safety Plan: The Waterloo Regional Police Service has launched a Road Safety Plan
aimed at making our streets safe for all users. The plan outlines the Waterloo Regional Police
commitment to reducing major injury collisions and fatalities on our streets and will
focus on enforcement and education on the Fatal Four offences: impaired driving, distracted
driving, speeding/aggressive driving, and seatbelt use. As part of the plan, several initiatives will
be carried out including monthly road safety plans, increased focus on rural enforcement and the
formation of Traffic Services Special Enforcement Teams. A focus will be placed on increased RIDE
programs, Selective Traffic Enforcement Programs (STEP), high complaint areas, educational
campaigns and community partnerships.
ENHANCED EXISTING ENFORCEMENT ACTION ITEMS
The following street safety improvements are to be enhanced and are described in the next section.
Targeted Enforcement (STEP Program)
WRPS Traffic Management Plan
Automated Speed Enforcement
ENHANCED and NEW ENFORCEMENT ACTION ITEMS
Targeted Enforcement (STEP Program): Collaboration and data sharing with the Region of
Waterloo Police Services to identify locations in need of targeted enforcement and educational
programs. Appropriate enforcement and educational programs will be planned and implemented
in the areas identified. !
WRPS Traffic Management Plan: Collaboration and data sharing with the Waterloo Region Police
Services and providing feedback as a key stakeholder in the development of Traffic Management
Plans. Traffic Management Plans are developed by the WRPS aimed at making our streets safer
for all street users by implementing enforcement and educational programs.
Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE): The intent of ASE is to improve street safety in school zones
and community safety zones through increased compliance with posted speed limits. An ASE
system automatically measures vehicle speeds at a specific point along a roadway using a camera-
based radar system. Enforcement is accomplished through the issuance of an offence above the
posted speed limit issued to the owners the
Region of Waterloo administers this program on regional and municipal roads on behalf of area
municipalities. The local Provincial Offences Court office falls under the authority of the Region of
Waterloo and therefore area municipalities are currently limited in their ability to establish a
standalone ASE program. Through the Vision Zero Strategy, the City will review the transition to
the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) which allows the area municipalities to
administer the program through a faster and more flexible process.
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City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
4. EDUCATION
Increased awareness and education related
to road safety is fundamental to a successful
Vision Zero program. The main objective of
the educational programs is to share
information, increase public awareness, and
reduce high risk behaviour. Educational
programs are targeted to children,
inexperienced drivers, distracted and
aggressive drivers. Educational campaigns
are often long-term strategies towards
behavioral changes and can take more time
to monitor and see meaningful change.
Currently the City of
programs regarding road safety are primarily
focused on active and safe routes to school
and/or cycling education and information.
However, there are continued education
efforts that also occur through the Region of
Waterloo, Region of Waterloo Public Health
and Emergency Services and/or the Waterloo
Regional Police Services.
The intent of the education action items in
this Strategy is to inform and raise public
awareness about street safety and Vision
Zero, building support for street safety
improvements, and establishing a cultural
shift in road user behavior to reduce high risk
driving.
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City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
EXISTING EDUCATION ACTION ITEMS
Your Community, Your Choice campaign: This campaign is run by the Waterloo Region Police
Service. Through this monthly road safety campaign Waterloo Region Police Service will focus on
encouraging all street users to play a part in ensuring our streets are kept safe. This campaign is
run by the Waterloo Region Police Service and focuses on educating and engaging all street users
to make streets safer. This campaign focuses on the four fatal offences of impaired driving,
distracted driving, speeding and aggressive driving, and seatbelt use.
Inter-municipal Partnership for Active Transportation (IMPACT): Regular meetings attended by
representative from local municipalities, Region of Waterloo Police Services, Ministry of
Transportation, public health and emergency services, school travel planning, Canadian
Automobile Association, and post-secondary institutions to discuss and plan educational
campaigns to promote safe walking, cycling and other forms of active transportation across
Waterloo Region. The committee set annual priorities and objectives based on local needs,
available resources and strategic issues.
Waterloo Region Road Safety Campaign for Short-Term Construction: This road safety campaign
is an ongoing public awareness initiative, that aims to change driver behavior in construction
zones across Waterloo Region. This campaign raises awareness about the dangers of ignoring
construction signage, educates street users on the rules of the road (specifically in construction
zones), encourages compliance and works to reach varied audiences to reduce injuries and
fatalities and to promote long-term behaviour change related to driving. This campaign runs
during the summer/fall construction season.
Regional Traffic Coordinating Committee: Area municipalities, the Region of Waterloo, Waterloo
Region Police Service, and Grand River Transit meet on a quarterly basis to discuss traffic and
transportation related issues across the region. This forum provides an opportunity for
municipalities to update on ongoing efforts, strategize on educational initiatives that
have regional impact, and review policy direction from transportation institutions and other levels
of government.
ENHANCED EXISTING EDUCATION ACTION ITEMS
The following street safety improvements are to be enhanced and are described in the next section.
Active Transportation Educational Campaigns and Events
Active School Travel Educational Programs
Educational Programs for Fleet Drivers
ENHANCED and NEW EDUCATION ACTION ITEMS
Active Transportation Educational Campaigns and Events: Currently the City provides educational
campaigns, events and materials regarding different active transportation facilities and ongoing
cycling projects. It also provides bike maps and bike parking locations to help navigate cyclists
through the safest and most convenient route. A monthly e-newsletter provides regular
information and updates on on-going cycling projects and new cycling facilities to promote cycling
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December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
and educate all street users on best practices. Through the Vision Zero Strategy, the active
transportation educational programs will be further enhanced and will include the Cycling and
Trails Master Plan updates, the Downtown Cycling Grid updates, educational materials and
campaigns for both cyclists and drivers on how to use/drive along separated bike lanes, painted
bike lanes, bike boxes, pedestrian crossovers, etc.
!
Active School Travel educational programs: Dedicated programs managed by Student
Transportation Services of Waterloo Region that elevate students' pedestrian skills and family
traffic awareness. This educational programming covers basic, to more complex environments,
such as crossing roundabouts and LRT tracks, and understanding the implications of traffic at the
school site; and it is delivered through various models including Trailblazers, Sidewalk Smarts,
Drive to Five, etc. Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region also supports the
implementation of safety programs managed and promoted by third-party entities to
enhance students' knowledge regarding safe behaviours as a street user. These include Walking
School Bus, Cycling into the Future, CAA School Safety Patrol program, and Children's Safety
Village. Through the Vision Zero Strategy the Active School Travel educational programs will be
continued and enhanced through collaboration with Teens Learn to Drive to amplify messaging.
Vision Zero Day at schools will be planned and implemented on an annual basis to raise awareness
about Vision Zero and street safety for school children.
Educational Programs for Fleet Drivers: City of Kitchener prioritizes its responsibility to protect
the safety of its employees in the workplace and to members of the public. Part of that
responsibility requires that the City of Kitchener provide adequate knowledge and skill
development to our Professional Drivers to ensure that any City of Kitchener vehicle or equipment
is operated in a safe, competent and courteous manner. The City is planning to e
fleet drivers training on how to drive safely around vulnerable street users of pedestrians and
cyclists and related transportation facilities. The current driver education and training relies
heavily on third party training. This expense risen substantially since 2018. Staff will continue to
refine the permitting process; however, budgetary constraints may increase the risk of accidents
if driver training and re-training programs are not supported. !
!
Aggressive Driving and Speeding Educational Campaign: Joint street safety educational campaign
with the Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services and community stakeholders.
This will include educational videos illustrating the consequences of aggressive driving and
speeding, radio ads, prints ads, messaging on City social media platforms, messaging on City
owned properties and parking garages, marketing at GRT and LRT shelters and ads on the buses in
Kitchener.
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City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
5. ENGAGEMENT
The continuous involvement of communities and other stakeholders is key to a successful and effective
Vision Zero program. Engagement provides the opportunity for the community stakeholders to contribute
to ideas and become part of the solution in the journey towards zero traffic related serious injuries and
fatalities. An effective engagement plan should include all street users regardless of age, ability and mode
of transportation. Supporting advocacy groups that both promote and help to improve street safety
programs and plans is an example of a Vision Zero engagement strategy.
EXISTING ENGAGEMENT ACTION ITEMS
Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee: This is an advisory committee to Council
consisting of residents with an interest in walking, cycling and trails. Monthly meetings take place
with City staff to engage and receive feedback regarding the design, development and delivery of
active transportation and trail policies, programs and facilities in order to promote and enhance
safe walking, rolling and cycling in the City of Kitchener. The aim of this committee is to serve as
a forum for the public and/or agencies to raise their viewpoints on particular
active transportation, street safety and trail use issues. !
Resident-led Traffic Calming: Resident-led traffic calming is a grassroots approach where local
residents can lead traffic-
support. There is also grant money available to fund resident-led initiatives. Resident-led traffic
calming helps build community awareness around the issue of traffic safety.
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City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
ENHANCED AND NEW ENGAGEMENT ACTION ITEMS
Vision Zero Sub-Committee (Kitchener's Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee): A
sub-committee of the Active Transportation and Trail Advisory Committee, including members of
the public to provide a community perspective on street safety issues and Vision Zero action
items, to promote public awareness and education for street safety initiatives and programs with
the aim to encourage community participation and cooperation.
Public Awareness and Engagement: Vision Zero main webpage with information and updates
about Vision Zero, Vision Zero Engage page to share information and data with the public and
receive ongoing feedback and encourage resident-initiated participation.
Vision Zero Day: An annual open house to inform the public and raise awareness about Vision
Zero with the objective of community participation and cooperation. Updates on the Vision Zero
action items will be provided to residents, successes and progress highlighted, and opportunity
for community feedback.
Community Partnerships: Establish community advocates for street safety. One example is
the Road Model Program which establishes community advocates for street safety. In this
program the participants pledge to become a driver who is committed to creating a safer and
connected community by driving with the safety of all street users in mind. The drivers receive a
badge that can be attached to their windshield showing that they have participated in this
program. Drivers who participated in this program commit to reduce personal vehicle use, be a
courteous driver who respects all street users and obeys all traffic rules and drives without
distraction.
Advocacy and Engagement with Provincial and Federal Agencies:
o Advocacy for Fine Increase: fine increase can be a tool used in enforcing the rules of
the road, especially for high-risk driving, and in areas with higher volumes of vulnerable
street users. Considering the limited authority of The City in this area, staff will work
with the Council fine increase for high-risk driving
at the provincial level.
o Advocacy for Advanced Safety Features on Passenger Vehicles: Advanced safety features
on vehicles can have a significant role in preventing a serious injury or fatality collision.
Considering the limited authority of The City in this area, staff will work with the Council
vehicles.
o Engagement and Consultation with Provincial and Federal Agencies: Staff and Council to
adopt a broader stakeholder approach engaging and consulting with stakeholders such as
the insurance industry, community groups, health care providers, and road safety related
agencies at the provincial and federal level.
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December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
IMPLEMENTATION
If approved by Council, the Vision Zero Strategy action items identified in this strategy will be implemented
over four years from 2022 to 2025. A number of action items are an enhanced/expanded version of an
existing program. As a result, they will have minimal cost impact and will be supported using existing
budget. Some of the action items can be funded through reallocating existing budget from other projects.
This will help ensure that the existing budget would be utilized in the areas most needed through a holistic
data driven approach. Some action items require a more in-depth review prior to determining the
required budget and resources. These reviews will be completed as part of the Vision Zero Strategy during
the next four years and the recommendations, and the associated budget ask will be presented to Council
separately at a later date.
The action items are prioritized based on available resources, and the
required timelines. Some of the action items such as network screening, countermeasure evaluation and
educational campaigns will occur on an annual basis while others, such as developing new policies and
guidelines, will be one-time projects. Considering that this Vision Zero Strategy is an evolving document,
the prioritization of the action items is subject to change depending on a number of factors such as
evolving street safety priorities, resident engagement, success of the proposed countermeasures,
available resources, etc.
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December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
PROGRAM EVALUATION
One of the focuses of this Vision Zero Strategy is evaluation. Staff will be monitoring and evaluating the
effectiveness of the proposed action items and will be reporting back on the progress and success of the
programs on an annual basis.
To evaluate the proposed physical engineering countermeasures, before after traffic and collision data
will be collected. Several years of collision data is usually required to evaluate the impact of a
countermeasure and determine trends. For this reason, through collaboration with the University of
Waterloo, staff is planning to conduct a proactive conflict-based safety analysis using surrogate measures
of safety such as post-encroachment time (PET) and time to collisions (TTC) to supplement the traditional
crash-based street safety analysis.
In addition to the historical collision data that will be used for the observational before/after study, the
proposed evaluation method will also require data on the trajectories of all street users at the sites being
evaluated, including vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Two types of technologies could be applied to
collect the trajectory data, namely, video cameras and Lidar systems. It is recommended that both
technologies be explored for the proposed evaluation effort. The location of the before after studies and
the timelines will be determined once the hot spots and the appropriate countermeasures are identified.
Measuring the effectiveness of the action items under the categories of education, engagement and
enforcement will be complex since these action items are usually applied on a city-wide scale, are not
limited to a specific location, and are often affected by other road safety initiatives. These action items
will be evaluated based on the implementation success and feedback received.
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December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
CONCLUSION
The City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy provides specific action items to improve street safety for all
street users regardless of their age, ability or mode of transportation. This strategy was developed through
collaboration and engagement with the key stakeholders such as Waterloo Region Police Services, City of
Waterloo, Region of Waterloo, City of Cambridge, Grand River Transit, Region of Waterloo Public Health
and Emergency Services, School Travel Planning, and Kitchener
residents. The intent of this strategy is to reduce collisions that result in severe injury or fatality within
2022-2025 with an ultimate goal of reaching zero in future years. This vision is a long-term goal requiring
significant support, collaboration and resources from different key stakeholders. The City is taking a multi-
step approach towards this goal. At the end of each step, the outcomes and actions will be evaluated and
revised to ensure continuous progress towards the vision.
This Vision Zero Strategy is planned to be implemented over four years from 2022-2025. Staff will be
monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed action items and will be reporting back on
the progress and success of the programs on an annual basis. This Strategy is an evolving document and
the action items included are subject to change depending on the success of the program and the evolving
strategic goals and priorities of The City.
To help prioritize street safety improvements and to better utilize the available resources and funding in
the most efficient way, The City has developed a number of Emphasis Areas. The City has identified the
Emphasis Areas based on data analysis, background research and public and stakeholder engagement,
and The Cit goals and priorities regarding active transportation. The emphasis areas identified include
vulnerable street users (pedestrians, cyclists, seniors, school children and people using mobility devices),
location (school zones, residential areas and hot spots) and high-risk driving (aggressive driving, distracted
driving and speeding). The action items included in this Strategy are determined based on the identified
emphasis areas, best practices and available resources. These action items are categorized into five
categories of Evaluation, Engineering, Enforcement, Education and Engagement. In order for the Strategy
to be successful, it is important that the action items in all the five elements be successfully implemented.
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December 2021
City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (2022-2025)
37
December 2021
VZ Subcommittee Feedback and Recommendation -
The City of Kitchener’s Vision Zero Strategy
November8,2021
Motion:
TheVision Zero Subcommittee moves that the following be added tothe draft Vision Zero Plan:
1. Goals:
1.1 The VZ strategy recognizes that in order to significantly reduce fatal collisions and serious
injuries of vulnerable road users, the safety and well-being of pedestrians, cyclists, and other
vulnerable users must be priorities over the convenience of motor vehicles.
1.2 In order tobe successful, the VZ strategy needs to specify concrete andtangible goals for
the short-, medium- and long-term beyond the three objectives outlined in the current draft
over a four-year period.
2. Elements:
WhiletheVZSubcommitteerecognizesjurisdictionallimitationsinthefieldofenforcement,it
recommendsthatStaffandCouncilconsiderincludingtoolsavailabletotheCityofKitchener
such as
2.1 enhanced by-law enactment and enforcement to reduce or eliminate conditions that affect
the safety of vulnerable road users, for example in the case of parking in bike lanes, uncleared
sidewalks and bike lanes, and other offences
2.2 the introduction of 30km/h speed limits on residential streets where engineering options
are not feasible or have proven ineffective
2.3 the more widespread use of mobile ASE that rotate across different residential areas (see for
example Oakville’s Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program)
The VZ Subcommittee suggests further:
2.4 In recognition of the importance of a 30km/h limit in improving safety, but with recognition
that staff and council may not be willing to adopt it for all roads at this time, the recommended
design speed for ALL future non-arterial road construction be set to a default of 30km/h, in
preparation for a future 30km/h limit.
2.5 In recognition of the increased danger posed bylarger vehicles in terms of poorer visibility,
more harmful collisions, and lower perception of speed, the education component should seek
to improve awareness of the different risks posed by different types of vehicles, and encourage
purchasing of safer vehicles.
2.5 In recognition of the role that winter maintenance can play in pedestrian andcycling safety
in our community, the evaluation component should include metrics for slip and fall injuries
resulting from deficient maintenance, as well as unsafe conditions forcing pedestrians or cyclists
into traffic where a sidewalk or cycling lane is unmaintained.
3. The Process
The VZ Subcommittee recommends
3.1 that Staff and Council adopt a broad stakeholder approach, adding and consulting with
stakeholders including, but not limited to, the insurance industry, community groups, health
care providers, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities (FCM), and transportation ministries on the provincial and federal level;
3.2 to make sure that representation and accessibility barriers in future online surveys are
considered in decision making processes;
3.3 to consider professional support for the development of future questionnaires to encourage
broader and more equitable community involvement.
Justification:
TheVZ Subcommittee welcomes and supports the City of Kitchener’s effort to follow the
example of other municipalities in Canada and internationally to implement a Vision Zero (VZ)
strategy.
A robust VZ strategy seeks to systematically enhance road safety. In doing so, it not only creates
better conditions for “more people friendly transportation”, but it also helps to build a more
inclusive, “caring” community as it establishes a more equitable and accessible public
infrastructure. Moreover, consideringthe expected population increase especially in the
downtown core area, an effective VZ strategy facilitates active – andclimate friendly – modes of
1
transportation by providing a safer infrastructure.0F
TheVZ strategy, therefore, has the potential to become akeypolicy instrument to advance
various medium- and long-term goals set by the City of Kitchener and the Region of Waterloo
(e.g. Strategic Priorities2019-2022; Climate Emergency Declaration, the Pedestrian Charter).
However, best practice has shown successful and rather unsuccessful cases of municipal VZ
approaches. The VZ Subcommittee encourages City Staff and Council to take advantage from
1
The City of Kitchener’s Strategic Plan 2019-2022 identifies “more people friendly transportation”, a “caring
community” and “environmental leadership” as three out of five priorities.
existing knowledge about the feasibilityand effectiveness of different measures. In particular,
the VZ Subcommittee recommends considering the following suggestions as a response to the
existing plan:
1. The Goals of the VZ Strategy
The VZ Subcommittee believes that the effectiveness and, ultimately, success of the VZ strategy
depends on the political willingness to prioritize road safety over convenience for drivers.
It is widely acknowledged that dangerous driving behavior is a main source for unsafe
roadways and, under certain circumstances, also sidewalks. As we know from research and best
practice, this systemic problem dis-incentivizes active transportation and reinforces car usage
2
as the default travel mode even for shorter distances.
Recommendation1-GOALS:
The VZSubcommittee recommends adding to the existing draft plan:
1.1 The VZ strategy recognizes that in order to significantly reduce fatal collisions and serious
injuries of vulnerable road users, the safety and well-being of pedestrians, cyclist, and other
vulnerable users must be priorities over the convenience of motor vehicles.
1.2 In order to be successful, the VZ strategy needs to specify concrete and tangible goals for
the short-, medium- and long-term beyond the three objectives outlined in the current draft
over a four-year period.
\[These current objectives are: (1) a declining trend in the number of collisions; (2) increased public awareness and
education (3) enhanced collaboration and data sharing with main stakeholders.\]
2
. According to the Region of Waterloo “Moving Forward” (2018: 21) Report, safety concerns are among the top
barriers for the largest share of respondents (66%) who are “interested, but concerned” about using biking as an
active mode of transportation. In March 2021, WRPS reported a rapid increase in speeding charges. According to
representative Mark Hammer, speeding ”is straight across the board”. He continues: "Each one of our speed signs
has that word maximum on there, but I would probably suggest that most drivers treat that as a minimum speed
that they should be applying to that road," (CBC News, Giant jump in speeding charges laid in first two months of
2021, March 10, 2021).
2. Elementsof the VZ Strategy
TheVZSubcommitteerecommends aligningandutilizingthethreekeyelementsofanyVZ
strategy – the “3Es” engineering, enforcement and education – in themost effective way, and
by capitalizing on existing research and best practice.
Whilethe VZ Subcommittee acknowledges the need to focus on emphasis areas, it is also
necessary to exploit the full potential of existing tools to enhance road safety more broadly
across the city. Engineering options, for example, require time and often significant financial
resources. Enforcement and speed limits, at the same time, can be implemented more easily
and have the potential to generate results within a shorter time frame.
Recommendation 2 - ELEMENTS:
While the VZ Subcommittee recognizesjurisdictional limitationsin the fieldofenforcement, it
recommendsthat Staff and Council consider including tools available to the City of Kitchener
such as
2.1 enhanced by-law enactment and enforcement to reduce oreliminate conditions that affect
the safetyof vulnerable road users, for example inthe case of parking in bike lanes, uncleared
sidewalks and bike lanes, and other offences
2.2 the introduction of 30km/h speed limits on residential streets where engineering options are
not feasible or have proven ineffective
2.3 the more widespread use of mobile ASE that rotate across different residential areas (see for
example Oakville’s Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program)
The VZ Subcommittee suggests further:
2.4 In recognition of the importance of a 30km/h limit in improving safety, but with recognition
that staff and council may not be willing to adopt it for all roads at this time, the recommended
design speed for ALL future non-arterial road construction be set to a default of 30km/h, in
preparation for a future 30km/h limit.
2.5 In recognition of the increased danger posed by larger vehicles in terms of poorer visibility,
more harmful collisions, and lower perception of speed, the education component should seek
to improve awareness of the different risks posed by different types of vehicles, and encourage
purchasing of safer vehicles.
2.5 In recognition of the role that winter maintenance can play in pedestrian and cycling safety
in our community, the evaluation component should include metrics for slip and fall injuries
resulting from deficient maintenance, as well as unsafe conditions forcing pedestrians or cyclists
into traffic where a sidewalk or cycling lane is unmaintained.
3. VZ as a Process
Kitchener’sVZapproachplacesalotofemphasisonprocess,evaluation,fine-tuningetc.While
the VZ Subcommittee welcomes this “dynamic”,more open-ended approach, the Committee
also has some concerns regarding data generation and methodology. To what type and form of
input do we respond when it comes to adjusting our approach, for example? What data is
already available (for example from car insurance companies)? What is negotiable when it
comes to creating safer road infrastructure, and what is not?
Moreover, the VZ Subcommittee also identified issues in the online questionnaire as some
questions asked were vague or of limitedvalue.
Recommendation 3 – THE PROCESS:
The VZ Subcommittee recommends
3.1 that Staff and Council adopt a broad stakeholder approach, adding and consulting with
stakeholders including, but not limited to, the insurance industry, community groups, health
care providers, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities (FCM), and transportation ministries on the provincial and federal level;
3.2 to make sure that representation and accessibility barriers in future online surveys are
considered in decision-making processes;
3.3 to consider professional support for the development of future questionnaires to encourage
broader and more equitable community involvement.
ATTACHMENT C
STAFF RESPONSES TO THE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION AND TRAILS ADVISORY
COMMITTEE FEEDBACK AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Comments
1. Goals
1.1 The VZ strategy recognizes The vision and ultimate goal of the City of
that in order to significantly
reduce fatal collisions and injuries and fatalities for all street users. The
serious injuries of vulnerable convenience of motor vehicles is not an evaluation
road users, the safety and well-metric used by staff in any decision makings.
being of pedestrians, cyclists,
and other vulnerable users One of the three emphasis areas
must be prioritized over the Vision Zero Strategy is Vulnerable Street Users
convenience of motor since the data shows that they are
vehicles. overrepresented in serious injury and fatal
collisions.
1.2 In order to be successful, The long-term goal of the strategy is zero traffic
the VZ strategy needs to specify related serious injuries and fatalities on Kitchener
concrete and tangible goals roads. This vision is a long-term goal and requires
for the short-, medium- and significant support and resources from all
long-term beyond the three stakeholders. Staff is proposing a phased
objectives outlined in the current approach towards this long-term goal. The first
draft over a four-year period phase is implementation of the four-year strategy
proposed. Staff will be evaluating the progress
towards the long-term goal of zero serious injuries
and fatalities during and beyond the four-year
implementation of the strategy and will provide
updates and recommendations to Council to
ensure continuous progress toward this goal.
Staff have also identified specific objectives for the
four-year strategy. In terms of the number of
serious injury and fatal collisions, staff expect a
declining trend after the implementation of the four-
year strategy. During the implementation of the
strategy, staff will be conducting continuous
evaluation of the success of the proposed
measures and their impact on the number of
serious injury and fatal collisions.
2. Elements
2.1 enhanced by-law enactment Staff will continue th
and enforcement to reduce or bylaw and parks and cemeteries divisions
eliminate conditions that affect regarding the maintenance of the sidewalks and
the safety of vulnerable road bike lanes, and other conditions that may affect the
users, for example in the case of safety of the vulnerable road users when using
parking in bike lanes, uncleared these facilities.
sidewalks and bike lanes, and
other offences In 2018-2020 a comprehensive review regarding
winter sidewalk maintenance was conducted by
the Parks and Cemeteries staff and the results and
recommendations were presented to Council in
2020.
2.2 the introduction of 30km/h Staff presented the results of the reduced speed
speed limits on residential limit pilot to Council in October 2020. Council has
streets where engineering approved a reduction in speed limit for all
options are not feasible or have residential neighbourhoods within the City to 40
proven ineffective km/h and further to 30km/h in school zones, along
neighbourhood bikeways, and in other vulnerable
street user areas.
2.3 the more widespread use of
mobile ASE that rotate across staff have proposed that the ASE (Automated
different residential areas (see Speed Enforcement) program be revisited in 2023
to review the transition to the Administrative
Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) which may
Program) provide municipalities a more flexible process to
administer ASE on City of Kitchener streets.
2.4 In recognition of the The City adopted the Complete Street Guidelines
importance of a 30km/h limit in in 2019. Complete Streets standards are being
improving safety, but with used as the basis for all reconstruction projects.
recognition that staff and council The Complete Street Guidelines were included in
may not be willing to adopt it for the 2021 update to the Development Manual and
all roads at this time, the are now a requirement for all new subdivisions.
recommended design speed for
ALL future non-arterial road
construction be set to a default
of 30km/h, in preparation for a
future 30km/h limit.
2.5 In recognition of the
increased danger posed by staff have proposed a Severe Injury and Fatal
larger vehicles in terms of Collision Investigation Program. Through this
poorer visibility, more harmful program staff will investigate trends in collision
collisions, and lower perception causes, which will include variables such as, but not
of speed, the education limited to, street design, lighting, weather, pavement
component should seek condition and vehicle characteristics.
to improve awareness of the
different risks posed by different
types of vehicles and encourage
purchasing of safer vehicles.
2.6 In recognition of the role that The City is required to meet provincial minimum
winter maintenance can play in maintenance standards. The City tracks winter
pedestrian and cycling safety in maintenance slip and fall data, and this data is
our community, the evaluation used to manage risk and improve processes where
component should include feasible.
metrics for slip and fall injuries
resulting from deficient
maintenance, as well as unsafe bylaw and parks and cemeteries divisions
conditions forcing pedestrians or regarding the maintenance of the sidewalks and
cyclists into traffic where a bike lanes, and other conditions that may affect the
sidewalk or cycling lane is safety of the vulnerable road users when using
unmaintained. these facilities.
3. The Process
3.1 that Staff and Council adopt Staff have revised the action items within the City
a broad stakeholder approach,
adding and consulting with comment. The action item reads as:
stakeholders including, but not
limited to, the insurance Engagement and Consultation with Provincial and
industry, community groups, Federal Agencies: Staff and Council to adopt a
health care providers, the broad stakeholder approach engaging and
Association of Municipalities of consulting with stakeholders such as the insurance
Ontario (AMO), the Federation industry, community groups, health care providers,
of Canadian Municipalities and road safety related agencies on the provincial
(FCM), and transportation and federal level.
ministries on the provincial and
federal level;
3.2 to make sure that
representation and accessibility Communications and Marketing team to ensure
barriers in future online surveys that the online surveys are accessible. The surveys
are considered in decision were readily available in both digital and paper
making processes; formats and they were promoted through different
channels of media releases, social media
campaigns, engage email newsletter, email to
advisory committees, etc.
The public and stakeholder engagement will
continue during and beyond the implementation of
the four-year Strategy and will include but not
limited to open houses, community partnerships,
open surveys, etc.
3.3 to consider professional
support for the development of Communications and Marketing team to ensure a
future questionnaires to broad and equitable community involvement. This
encourage broader and more included promoting the surveys through media
equitable community releases, social media campaigns, engage email
involvement. newsletter, email to advisory committees, etc.
The public and stakeholder engagement will
continue during and beyond the implementation of
the four-year Strategy and will include but not
limited to open houses, community partnerships,
open surveys, etc.