Vision Zero

The Safe System Approach has been embraced by the transportation community as an effective way to address and mitigate the risks inherent in our enormous and complex transportation system. It works by building and reinforcing multiple layers of protection to both prevent crashes from happening in the first place and minimize the harm caused to those involved when crashes do occur. It is a holistic and comprehensive approach that provides a guiding framework to make places safer for people. This is a shift from a conventional safety approach because it focuses on both human mistakes AND human vulnerability and designs a system with many redundancies in place to protect everyone.  The Town of Andover adopted a Vision Zero Policy on August 15, 2023.

Principles of a Safe System Approach

The Safe system approach is based on the following six principles:

Death and Serious Injuries are UnacceptableSafe-System-Approach-Infographic_USDOT

A Safe System Approach prioritizes the elimination of crashes that result in death and serious injuries.

Humans Make Mistakes

People will inevitably make mistakes and decisions that can lead or contribute to crashes, but the transportation system can be designed and operated to accommodate certain types and levels of human mistakes and avoid death and serious injuries when a crash occurs.

Humans Are Vulnerable

Human bodies have physical limits for tolerating crash forces before death or serious injury occurs; therefore, it is critical to design and operate a transportation system that is human-centric and accommodates physical human vulnerabilities.

Responsibility is Shared

All stakeholders—including government at all levels, industry, non-profit/advocacy, researchers, and the general public—are vital to preventing fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways.

Safety is Proactive

Proactive tools should be used to identify and address safety issues in the transportation system, rather than waiting for crashes to occur and reacting afterwards.

Redundancy is Crucial

Reducing risks requires that all parts of the transportation system be strengthened, so that if one part fails, the other parts still protect people.

Regional Vision Zero Plan

The regional safety action plan, also known as the Vision Zero Plan, is designed in collaboration with the 15 cities and towns that make up the Merrimack Valley. We can use this plan to guide the region to a safer, more equitable place to enjoy all modes of transportation. Additionally, the inclusion of projects in this plan renders our communities eligible for Safe Streets and Roads for All Implementation Funding.

The Vision Zero Plan is guided by the following questions:

  • Where have fatal and injury crashes occurred?
  • Where are fatal and injury crashes likely to occur?
  • How can we eliminate future fatal and injury crashes?

Plese visit the Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Transportation Organization (MVMPO) to learn more about the draft of the Vision Zero Action Plan.

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