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Cape Cod Commission launches Vision Zero action-plan process, seeks public input on road safety
Summary
The Cape Cod Commission opened a public Vision Zero action-plan briefing outlining a federally funded Safe Streets and Roads for All planning grant, presenting crash data for 2018–2023 and inviting residents to map near-misses and propose safety projects ahead of a draft plan due in February.
The Cape Cod Commission began a regional Vision Zero action-plan process aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries, agency staff said at a public briefing. The plan, funded through a federal discretionary grant under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Safe Streets and Roads for All), will produce a high-risk road network, a high-injury network and a list of prioritized safety projects to make the Cape’s roads safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers.
Colleen, the project lead at the Cape Cod Commission, told attendees that the commission is leading the effort so all 15 towns on Cape Cod can become eligible for implementation funding that follows plan certification. “As a region, we saw the need and the benefit for Cape Cod,” she said, adding that the process will document proven countermeasures and create transparency about progress.
Consultant presenters summarized the plan elements and schedule. Bill Scully said the Federal Highway Administration will certify plans that demonstrate required elements — including leadership commitment and goal setting — and that certification is a precondition for communities to apply for implementation funds. The team plans public and focus-group meetings in November, a draft plan in February, and final adoption targeted for April of next year.
Lisa Juan, who presented the crash analysis, said the team used the MassDOT crash data portal and recent years of supplemental data to analyze crashes from 2018–2023. Lisa highlighted geographic “hot spots” in downtown Barnstable, parts of Falmouth (near Surf Drive and Oyster Pond Road) and the Bourne rotary. She reported that, across the six-year period, contributing factors for all crashes included about 38% distracted-driving-related crashes, roughly 25% reckless-driving-related crashes and about 21% impaired-driving-related crashes. The presentation separated fatal and serious-injury crashes for prioritization.
The consultants emphasized a “safe systems” approach that mixes short-term, low-cost countermeasures with longer-term design changes to address inherently risky roads, speed management and accommodations for vulnerable users. The public engagement tool on the project website lets residents map crash sites and near-misses, propose improvements, and upvote others’ suggestions.
Colleen encouraged residents to use the interactive comment tool, attend upcoming in-person workshops and contact the project team at transportation@capecodcommission.org. The recording of the briefing will be posted to the Cape Cod Commission website.
