Vision Zero Louisville Safety Action Plan

JEFFERSON COUNTY, KY

TRANSPORTATION

In 2021, Palmer Engineering finalized the Louisville Roadway Safety Plan, the first of its kind for a local agency in Kentucky, in collaboration with Louisville Metro Government (LMG) and the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety. The study analyzed over 127,000 crashes in the Louisville Metro area, identifying emphasis areas like intersections, non-motorized users, and impaired driving. The findings were incorporated into the Vision Zero Louisville Safety Action Plan, which focuses on improving roadway safety through strategies in education, enforcement, emergency services, and engineering. This plan has been the basis of multiple Safe Streets for All (SS4A) implementation grant awards for Louisville and will serve as a model for similar safety initiatives in other communities across Kentucky.

Unique Aspects

Opportunities

· First-of-Its-Kind Project: Palmer had the opportunity to lead Kentucky’s first Roadway Safety Plan for a local agency, contributing to the development of a model for other communities.
· Collaboration with Local and State Agencies: The partnership between LMG, Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, and other agencies provided Palmer with valuable insights, enhancing the plan’s effectiveness.
· Impact on Roadway Safety: The project created a framework for improving safety, potentially saving lives by addressing critical issues such as impaired driving and non-motorized user safety.
Challenges

· Large Data Set Analysis: Managing and analyzing over 127,000 crash records to identify patterns and trends posed significant challenges, requiring extensive data management.
· Identifying Specific Risk Factors: Identifying nuanced emphasis areas specific to Louisville Metro required extensive research and understanding of local traffic dynamics and safety issues.
· Integration of Multiple Agencies: Coordinating data collection and integrating findings from various agencies involved in the study required careful organization and communication.
Successes

· Vision Zero Integration: The incorporation of the study’s findings into the Vision Zero Louisville Safety Action Plan marked a key milestone in the city's commitment to eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
· Transferable Methods: The methods, procedures, and lessons learned from this study were designed to be applied to other small communities, extending Palmer’s impact beyond Louisville Metro and benefiting other regions in Kentucky.
· Grant Positioning: The completion of the study allowed Louisville Metro to compete for, and be awarded, multiple federal SS4A grants for the construction of impactful safety improvement projects.