Safety is a key policy focus area in the Regional Transportation Plan. VISION 2050, the region's overarching policy framework, includes a policy to support and achieve the state's long-term goal of zero deaths and serious injuries.
To help the region achieve this goal, PSRC has launched a multiyear effort to improve traffic safety in the central Puget Sound region in a comprehensive, data-informed, equitable, and collaborative way. Identified as an action item in the Regional Transportation Plan and funded primarily by a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, PSRC is developing a Regional Safety Action Plan that will:
- Foster a regional culture of safety through increased awareness and focus on a Safe System approach to protect vulnerable roadway users.
- Identify safety issues and proven countermeasures, strategies, and tools.
- Be based on extensive research, analysis and public engagement.
- Complement the development of local safety action plans, six of which are included in the region’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant.
- Inform PSRC’s competitive project selection processes and future Regional Transportation Plans.
Development Timeline
A draft scope of work for the Regional Safety Action Plan is being reviewed by PSRC’s boards and advisory committees during fall 2023. Consultant support for technical work and public engagement will be sought by the first quarter of 2024.
PSRC will work with its leadership, members, transportation safety experts, and the public to develop the Regional Safety Action Plan by the end of 2024. The draft plan will be released for public comment and adoption is anticipated in early 2025.
Safe System Approach
PSRC's safety work follows the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe System approach, which takes a holistic view of improving traffic safety and mitigating risk. It anticipates human mistakes, acknowledges that humans are vulnerable, and promotes redundancies in traffic safety, so if a crash happens, it is less likely to be fatal. Founded on the principles that death and serious injuries are unacceptable and responsibility is shared, the Safe System approach considers the design, infrastructure, and systemic issues behind crashes.