ATLANTA — Atlanta's transportation officials want to make its streets safer and want the community's help.
Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) announced its planning process for its Atlanta Vision Zero Action Plan. It will serve as a blueprint for safety improvement and policies to stop deadly crashes from happening.
Vision Zero is described as "a systems-based approach to eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries through safer street design, speed management and other proven strategies," according to a news release. The Atlanta City Council committed to implementing the plan in 2020.
Now, it's asking residents, visitors and the business community to share their experiences and help highlight opportunities to make Atlanta safer by documenting concerns using ATLDOT's input map. Guests will also be asked to answer a brief survey, officials said.
People can head to ATLVisionZero.com to weigh in on plans for the city.
This information-gathering effort is part of a three-phase planning process:
- Project initiation
- Implementation planning
- Plan completion
According to the City, the first step started in December 2022 with ATLDOT's first Vision Zero Task Force meeting. The task force, which is made up of community and organizational partners, is guiding the planning process and will help finalize strategies.
"As part of the initiation phase, the project team is updating the High Injury Network, which identifies areas around the city that are most susceptible to vehicle-related injuries and deaths," officials said. Results are expected to be shared with the public during Phase 2.
The second step, implementation planning, includes community workshops and pop-up events to gather further input and present recommendations. The first event was held at a pop-up in the Oakland City MARTA Station on Feb. 13. Two virtual community workshops are scheduled for Tuesday, March 7, at 12 p.m. and Thursday, March 9, at 6 p.m. Details on how to join the meeting can be found at ATLVisionZero.com.
The final portion of the plan is scheduled for October. The Atlanta City Council will consider the adoption of the final plan following a virtual community workshop and public review and comment period.
Community members can review project information and provide input throughout the planning process at the project website. Questions can be emailed to the project team at atldot@atlantaga.gov with “ATL Vision Zero” in the subject line.