Cape Cod Commission wins FHWA Vision Zero planning grant; seeks advisory committee and public input

The Cape Cod Commission will lead development of a Comprehensive Safety Action (Vision Zero) Plan for Barnstable County after winning a Federal Highway Administration Safe Streets for All Action Plan grant.

Colleen Medeiros told the MPO the commission was awarded $240,000 from FHWA to hire a consultant and develop a Vision Zero-style action plan aimed at reducing fatalities and serious injuries on regional roadways. MassDOT will provide a $60,000 match and staff assistance for plan oversight. The action plan will follow the Safe Systems approach and include a leadership commitment, goal setting, a high-injury network analysis, equity considerations, public outreach, and recommendations for countermeasures and policies. Recommended countermeasures could range from small infrastructure changes such as crosswalks, lighting and bicycle lanes to larger intersection or roundabout projects.

Staff said they will release a request for proposals to hire a consultant in the coming weeks, expect a summer kickoff, and aim for a draft action plan by early next winter with a goal of finalizing the plan in time for Safe Streets for All implementation grants next May. Colleen described a proposed Vision Zero advisory committee of up to 11 members, including MPO and JTC representatives, local elected officials, public safety officials (fire or police), and diverse community representatives (bicycle/pedestrian, disability, transit, equity) and noted the possibility of modest compensation for community members.

Members and the public expressed support. John York encouraged coordination with the state strategic highway safety plan and noted a MassDOT lab comment tool with an imminent deadline; he also asked whether advisory committee meetings would be public. Colleen replied that it is envisioned the meetings would likely be open to the public and that staff would circulate MassDOT contact information and links.

Next steps: staff will release the RFP for a consultant, solicit advisory committee members, schedule outreach events and post information about how towns and residents can participate.