Vision Zero Action Plan (VZAP)

VISION ZERO ACTION PLAN – TEXT VERSION (FULL, ADA-FRIENDLY)

Vision Zero Action Plan – Text Version

Introduction

The City of Jacksonville’s Vision Zero Action Plan is a bold and necessary step toward a safer, more connected future for every resident who travels our roadways. This action plan is not merely a policy document—it is a life-saving commitment aligned with the City’s priorities of infrastructure, public safety, and health.

The goal is to eliminate all traffic fatalities and reduce serious injuries by 50 percent by 2035. Every resident deserves to move safely through the city, regardless of how they travel. 

A Message from the Mayor

The Vision Zero Action Plan reflects Jacksonville’s commitment to creating a safer transportation system for all users.

Between 2018 and 2023, there were nearly 200,000 crashes in Jacksonville, resulting in 921 fatalities and 2,770 serious injuries. Vulnerable road users—including bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists—face disproportionate risk.

These are not just statistics—they represent neighbors, friends, and loved ones. The City is committed to acting with urgency and resolve to address these challenges.

The plan prioritizes safety and strategic investments, guided by the Safe System approach. It reflects input from over 50 task force members, includes approximately 80 recommended strategies, and incorporates extensive community engagement.

The plan identifies a High Injury Network—corridors and intersections with the highest concentration of severe crashes—and prioritizes investments in these areas to maximize safety outcomes. 

In Memoriam

Every traffic-related death is a tragic loss that impacts families and the entire community.

This Action Plan is dedicated to those who have lost their lives on Jacksonville’s roadways and to those who have suffered life-altering injuries. Even one loss is too many. 

Vision Zero Overview

The Vision Zero Action Plan represents Jacksonville’s commitment to eliminating traffic fatalities and reducing serious injuries by 50 percent by 2035.

Between 2018 and 2023:

• 196,453 total crashes occurred
• 3,691 resulted in fatal or serious injuries
• 921 fatalities occurred
• 2,770 serious injuries were reported

The City ranked as the 15th most dangerous metropolitan area for pedestrians nationwide.

Key findings include:

• 63% of pedestrian crashes occur while crossing the roadway
• 60% of pedestrian crashes occur at night
• 44% of bicycle crashes are intersection-related
• 31% of bicycle crashes occur along roadways with traffic
• 24% of vehicle crashes involve lack of occupant protection
• 62% of fatal motorcycle crashes involve drugs and/or alcohol
• 20% of motorcycle crashes involve speeding or aggressive driving 

1. Vision Zero

1.1 Action Plan Executive Summary

Traffic crashes are a leading cause of death nationwide, with more than 42,000 fatalities annually in the United States.

In Jacksonville, approximately 145 people were killed in traffic crashes in 2024 alone.

Vulnerable road users experience disproportionately high risk:

• Bicyclists: 80% of crashes result in serious injury or death
• Pedestrians: 77%
• Motorcyclists: 77%
• Vehicle occupants: 26%

These disparities highlight the urgent need to prioritize safety improvements for those most at risk. 

Safe System Approach

The Vision Zero Action Plan is guided by the Safe System approach, which acknowledges human error and focuses on reducing crash severity.

Key components include:

• Safer people
• Safer roads
• Safer vehicles
• Safer speeds
• Better post-crash care

This approach emphasizes shared responsibility across all parts of the transportation system. 

High Injury Network

Severe crashes are concentrated along specific corridors and intersections.

To prioritize safety improvements, crash data across all modes—pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle, and vehicle—was analyzed to identify these high-risk areas. These locations form the High Injury Network (HIN), which guides investment and implementation strategies. 

1.2 What is Vision Zero?

Vision Zero originated in Sweden in the 1990s and is based on the principle that traffic deaths and serious injuries are preventable.

The approach focuses on designing transportation systems that anticipate human error and reduce the likelihood of severe outcomes.

Jacksonville’s Vision Zero Action Plan aligns with national and state efforts, including FDOT’s Target Zero initiative. 

1.3 Getting to Zero

To achieve zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries, the City will apply the Safe System approach and implement coordinated strategies across all aspects of transportation.

This includes the “4 E’s”:

• Engineering
• Enforcement
• Education
• Emergency Response

These strategies work together to address the complexity of roadway safety challenges. 

2. Jacksonville Today

2.1 Citywide Crash Trends

Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death in the United States and have significant social and economic impacts.

Between 2018 and 2023:

• 196,453 crashes occurred
• 3,691 resulted in fatal or serious injuries
• 34% involved vulnerable road users

Pedestrian safety remains a major concern. Jacksonville has ranked among the most dangerous metropolitan areas for pedestrians in the United States.

Of fatal and serious injury crashes:

• 441 involved pedestrians
• 211 resulted in pedestrian fatalities

Bicycle crashes are also significant:

• 148 involved people bicycling

These trends highlight the urgent need for safety improvements. 

Understanding Crash Factors

Key contributing factors include:

Pedestrian and Bicycle Crashes

• Unsafe intersection design
• Poor lighting conditions
• Limited crossing opportunities

Vehicle and Motorcycle Crashes

• Lack of occupant protection (24%)
• Impaired driving (54% vehicle, 62% motorcycle fatalities)
• Speeding and aggressive driving (20%)

These findings inform targeted safety strategies. 

2.2 Existing Plans

The Vision Zero Action Plan builds on existing efforts, including:

• Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan (2017)
• Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
• Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
• Corridor studies across Jacksonville

These plans support safer, more connected transportation systems. 

2.3 Prior and Ongoing Safety Efforts

Key initiatives include:

• 20 is Plenty Program (reducing residential speeds to 20 mph)
• Smart Surfaces Initiative (improving roadway conditions)
• Better Jacksonville Plan (infrastructure and safety investments)

These efforts emphasize data-driven solutions and community engagement. 

2.4 Collaboration with JTA

The City collaborates with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) through the Creating Safe Spaces Action Plan.

This partnership focuses on:

• Data-driven safety analysis
• Stakeholder engagement
• Coordinated implementation strategies

The City also works with FDOT and the North Florida TPO to advance regional safety efforts. 

3. Voices of Jacksonville

3.1 Developing the Action Plan

The Vision Zero Action Plan was developed through a collaborative, data-driven process beginning in 2023.

Key milestones included:

• Citywide crash analysis
• Identification of the High Injury Network
• Public outreach and stakeholder engagement
• Selection of demonstration projects
• Development of performance measures

The plan was officially adopted in 2025. 

3.2 Task Force and Stakeholders

A multidisciplinary task force and stakeholder group guided the development of the plan.

Participants included:

• City departments
• Regional agencies
• Advocacy groups
• Community organizations

Their input helped shape strategies and priorities. 

3.3 Community Engagement

Community engagement included:

• Public workshops
• Online surveys
• Vision Zero website and dashboards

Residents identified key concerns:

• Speeding
• Poor lighting
• Dangerous intersections
• Lack of pedestrian infrastructure

Community input directly influenced the plan’s strategies. 

3.4 World Day of Remembrance

Jacksonville participates in the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims to honor those impacted by crashes.

This event reinforces the City’s commitment to preventing future tragedies. 

4. High Injury Network

The High Injury Network identifies the corridors and intersections where severe crashes are concentrated.

The HIN is categorized by:

• State roads
• Local roads
• Intersection types

This network guides prioritization of safety investments and collaboration with partner agencies. 

5. Action Plan Strategies

The Vision Zero Action Plan includes strategies organized around key themes and safety challenges.

These include:

• Safer street design
• Speed management
• Improved visibility
• Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
• Data-driven decision-making
• Public engagement and education

Approximately 80 strategies and actions are included in the plan. 

6. Vision Zero Projects

Capital Projects

Capital projects focus on high-priority corridors and intersections identified through the High Injury Network.

These investments include:

• Roadway redesign
• Traffic calming
• Multimodal improvements

Demonstration Projects

Demonstration projects are designed to:

• Be implemented quickly
• Test innovative safety treatments
• Inform future investments

Approximately 25 demonstration projects have been identified. 

Implementation and Accountability

The Vision Zero Action Plan is now in the implementation phase.

The City will:

• Advance safety projects
• Monitor progress using data
• Provide transparency through dashboards
• Continue collaboration with partners and the community

Working Toward Zero

The Vision Zero Action Plan represents a long-term commitment to safety.

By prioritizing high-risk locations, implementing data-driven strategies, and working collaboratively, Jacksonville is taking meaningful steps toward eliminating traffic fatalities and reducing serious injuries.