MAYOR WALSH RELEASES FIRST VISION ZERO ANNUAL REPORT
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Key accomplishments include reducing Boston's speed limit to 25 mph, ensuring all major roadway reconstruction projects include a focus on improving safety
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BOSTON - Wednesday, May 10, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Transportation Department, in partnership with the Boston's Vision Zero Task Force, today released a first year annual report for the City of Boston's Vision Zero initiative. Building on Mayor Walsh's commitment to safe streets, Vision Zero works to eliminate fatal and serious traffic crashes in Boston by 2030. The program's accomplishments for the year include successfully reducing Boston's default speed limit from 30 to 25 miles per hour (MPH), installing a protected bicycle lane on Massachusetts Avenue and working to ensure that all major roadway reconstruction projects include a focus on improving safety for all users of the road.
"Safety for our residents is our top priority, whether they're driving, biking or walking in our City, and that's why we're focused on using proven strategies to improve conditions for all of our road's users," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "We've made significant progress this year, and I look forward to continuing the work of Vision Zero."
"A major step forward toward our Vision Zero goal was realized on January 9th of this year when our default speed limit decreased from 30 to 25 MPH as the result of Mayor Walsh and City agencies vigorously pursuing amended legislation," said the City's Chief of Streets Chris Osgood. "This new law, along with a host of other projects being implemented as part of our Vision Zero effort, will work to keep people safe on Boston's streets."
The speed limit reduction improves safety for all users of Boston's roadways. Studies show that the likelihood of a pedestrian suffering a fatal injury as a result of being struck by a motor vehicle decreases from 20 percent when the vehicle is traveling at 30 mph, to 12 percent when the vehicle is traveling at 25 mph. Slower speeds make it easier for drivers to stop when necessary. It also increases a driver's field of vision making it more likely for the driver to see a pedestrian or cyclist on the roadway.
In addition to reducing the City's speed limit, and establishing protected bike lanes on Massachusetts Avenue, the City is also investing in the Commonwealth Avenue Phase 2A project, an example of a roadway reconstruction project that will significantly improve safety for all users of Boston's streets.
"A physically protected bike lane on each side of Commonwealth Avenue will shield cyclists from injuries sustained when car doors open unexpectedly and protected intersections will provide a positive ride for both cyclists and drivers," said Boston Transportation Commissioner Gina N. Fiandaca."Further upgrades include reconstructed sidewalks and other enhancements to benefit pedestrians, and complete ADA compliant access to the green line trolley."
Vision Zero progress aimed at reducing crashes on Boston's streets is being supported by the following additional efforts implemented over the past year:
As part of Mayor Walsh's recently released Imagine Boston Capital Plan, drawing on city, state and federal sources, the City will invest $709 million over the next five years in implementing the core initiatives outlined in Go Boston 2030. Examples of additional major roadway reconstruction projects that include a focus on improving safety and access for all users of Boston's streets are as follows:
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