Vision Zero

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Eliminating Traffic Deaths and Serious Injuries

Vision Zero is a data driven strategy intended to eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries on all roadways, bikeways and sidewalks. The City of Madison Vision Zero initiative strives to improve safety for everyone moving about the city, whether walking, biking, driving and riding transit; and to improve the identified high injury locations, all in an effort to prevent fatal crashes and severe injuries.

Safety starts with all of us.

How Does This Relate To You?

The core belief of Vision Zero is that death and injury on city streets is preventable. This approach to safety emphasizes smarter street designs that account for human error and education, data-driven enforcement and community engagement. With the Vision Zero approach City departments and residents work together to make city streets safer and meet the goal of zero deaths and serious injuries in Madison.


Madison Vision Zero Principles

  • Safety - Safety for all roadway users, including bicycle and pedestrian safety. One life lost on our streets is too many.
  • Equity - The City of Madison recognizes the disparity, racial and economic difference in neighborhoods and will focus on improving lower income community roadways included in the high injury network. Equity is a top priority for the City of Madison and will be at the forefront of discussions, actions and improvements.
  • Data-Focused - Data will drive our focus on where to invest time and money to improve the highest injury intersections and roadways.
  • Accountability - The City of Madison will set clear goals and objectives, as well as engaging the community in outreach and collaboration to make Vision Zero a success.

Vision Zero Approach to Reduce Traffic Fatalities

  • Plans and Reports

    Vision Zero uses data to target improvements that will reduce crashes, save lives and address inequities experienced on the street related to crashes.

  • Education and Resources

    Additional information and links to safety videos, pedestrian and bicycle information, the traffic calming program and much more.

  • Engagement

    Community input is needed to create more comprehensive and inclusive strategies to improve street safety and allow us to learn from each other what is important for our streets.

  • Projects to Improve Safety

    Vision Zero focuses on creating a transportation system that is safe for all neighborhoods and for people of all ages and abilities, no matter how they travel.

News Releases

Vision Zero Quarterly Newsletter

Volume 1 (2022)Volume 2 (2023)Volume 3 (2024)Volume 4 (2025)
Issue 1 (Jan)Issue 1 (Jan)Issue 1 (Jan)Issue 1 (Jan)
Issue 2 (April)Issue 2 (April)Issue 2 (April)Issue 2 (April)
Issue 3 (July)Issue 3 (July)Issue 3 (July)Issue 3 (July)
Issue 4 (Oct)Issue 4 (Nov)Issue 4 (Oct)Issue 4 (coming soon)

Vision Zero Activities & Events:

20 is Plenty - Neighborhood Program

Please join us as we celebrate the launch of the program citywide in our residential neighborhoods on Monday, July 21in one of the neighborhoods that has benefited from the reduced speed limit since 2021.

20 is Plenty Press Conference announcement: July 21 at 9:00am, Hammersley Park

Event Details:

  • Date: July 21st, 2025
  • Time: 9:00 AM  
  • Where: Hammersley Park, located at 6114 Hammersley Rd.

News Release: 20 is Plenty Officially Launches in Madison

Past Events

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

Week of November 11 - 17, 2024

The City of Madison, along with the Vision Zero Stakeholder Task Force, commemorated this global event with a week-long installation to remember victims and renew the call for support to eliminate serious and fatal crashes.

This year's display will be featured adjacent to the Capital City Trail along John Nolen Drive, near Lake Monona adjacent to the Lakeside intersection.

News Release: City of Madison Honors those Lives Lost due to Traffic Violence during Week prior to the World Day of Remembrance   (posted 11/8/2024)

Press Conference  (Friday, November 15 @ 10:30am)

Photos from the press conference  on Flickr

World Day of Remembrance poster featuring candles and the date of November 17, 2024

Safety Saturday 2024 - Saturday June 8, from 8 AM - 1 PM

Join the Vision Zero Madison Team, along with many other City agencies and private organizations as they talk about safety topics from bicycle helmets to smoke alarms!

Parks Alive!

The Vision Zero Madison team is thrilled to attend the Parks Alive events again this season.  Stop by to enjoy live music, activities and build communities!

Happening all summer long!

Vision Zero Holiday Tree - part of the Shine on Madison events

This annual 6 week event, brought to us by Madison BID, brightens the downtown area with festive displays, decorated holiday trees & much more! 


What are the next steps?

Implement the Vision Zero Action Plan

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