Council signals support for ‘Vision Zero’ language in transportation safety plan, asks staff to bring resolution

Council reviewed draft vision language for the Transportation Safety Action Plan (TAP) and gave staff direction to return with a resolution for formal approval.

City staff described TAP requirements from the Oregon Department of Transportation and presented example vision statements used by neighboring jurisdictions. Councilors debated whether the statement should be strictly aspirational (for example, language committing to zero fatalities) or include intermediate targets and implementation language. Several councilors argued that an aspirational goal helps set priorities even if some incidents remain outside local control; others recommended tying the vision to the plan’s focus on high‑crash corridors and on continual improvements.

Council coalesced around language along the lines of: “The City of Philomath will have safe streets for all users, including no fatalities or serious injuries by 2040,” and asked staff to draft a resolution for consideration next month that would incorporate the city’s priorities and targeted project areas.