Shawnee adopts Safe Streets action plan and Vision Zero resolution to target serious crashes

The Shawnee City Commission unanimously adopted a comprehensive Safe Streets Action Plan and a Vision Zero resolution aimed at reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries.

Peta Stephenoff, community development director, outlined the action plan as a federal-planning-grant product focused on crash analysis, sidewalk inventories, lighting, corridor assessments and community engagement. "The Safe Streets Action Plan provides a framework for coordinating efforts among city departments, regional partners and community stakeholders to align investments and decision making," Stephenoff said, and recommended adoption.

Stephenoff also presented a Vision Zero resolution designed to formalize a citywide goal that traffic-related severe injuries and fatalities are unacceptable and to meet Federal Highway Administration grant requirements. Staff said the approach would prioritize safer people, safer roads, safer vehicles, safer speeds and post-crash care and would create regular monitoring and transparent reporting to track progress.

Commissioners praised the plan as the result of extensive walking audits and public outreach and approved both items without amendment. Several commissioners said the plan does not preclude re-establishing prior advisory bodies such as a traffic commission if desired in the future.

The action plan and resolution position Shawnee to pursue federal funding tied to Vision Zero goals and to proceed with prioritized safety countermeasures across selected corridors and local streets. Staff said implementation will include continued stakeholder engagement and routine progress reports to the commission.