Kansas City double downs on commitment to safer streets

In the city’s commitment to lowering traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030, the City Council approved $4 million of dedicated funding for the Vision Zero initiative, whose resolution passed in May 2020.

This additional funding will be used toward the city’s continued effort to combat traffic crashes and improve infrastructure around Kansas City. Infrastructure changes around town include: speed humps, traffic signal upgrades, roundabouts, medians, curb extensions and intersection redesigns. 

The Vision Zero initiative’s goal with these changes is to create safer streets for neighborhoods citywide. The initiative has approximately 300 completed and active projects within their interworking of 6,000 miles of roadway, including over 30 miles of protected mobility lanes – accessible for use by pedestrians, bicycles and scooters. 

“The City set a goal to install 100 speed humps this year as a method to slow vehicular speeds in residential areas . . . to improve the walkability and safety of drivers in Kansas City, ” Courtney Stephens, Public Works spokesperson, wrote in an email to the Telegraph.

End-of-year traffic crash statistics from KCPD for 2023 documented a total of 90 fatal crashes which is up from 2022 and 2021 traffic fatality numbers of 89 and 85, respectively. 

These statistics raise the question whether Vision Zero’s work to eliminate traffic fatalities is effective? 

According to the city, it is too early for them to determine the success of Vision Zero’s goals. 

“Vision Zero is still in its infancy in Kansas City so that data has not yet been analyzed, however, residents tell the City often when they are seeing positive impacts in their neighborhoods and on city streets.” Stephens said. “Three to five years after project installation, staff can analyze crash data to determine the effectiveness of the implemented solutions and if driving habits have changed.”

In 2022, the Marlborough area was set to receive an intersection redesign at 82nd Terrace and Troost. The Telegraph spoke to Diane Hershberger, Interim Executive Director of the Marlborough Community Coalition and local business owner, about the intersection redesign at 82nd Terrace and Troost, and if Vision Zero’s initiative has had a positive impact on the community. 

“It has really helped there because that is an important crossing where some deaths had occurred [prior to the redesign],” Hershberger said. “It has also really helped the people who live in the apartments on both sides of Troost for crossing, improving safety.” 

Locally, Vision Zero has completed other traffic calming projects around town in recent years. Four speed humps were added along Woodbridge Lane, a street that many use to get from Wornall to Holmes Road. There was a Road Diet of Gregory Boulevard, from Oak Street to The Paseo in south Kansas City. Also, several speed bumps and signs were added between Holmes and Troost, receiving positive reception in the community. 

Some in progress traffic calming projects include a intersection redesign at Carondelet Drive and Wornall Road as well as a speed limit/your speed limit signs at 85th and Lydia. 

You can read Vision Zero’s action plan, view completed and active projects with their interactive map, submit a Traffic Calming Request and more here on the KCMO website.