Norfolk's Vision Zero Program

Like national trends, the City of Norfolk has seen a consistent rise in fatal and serious injury crashes. Those involving vulnerable roadway users (pedestrians and bicyclists) in 2024 disproportionately make up 28% of those crashes, an increase from 23% in 2020. (Source: VDOT Public Crash Data)

Following the adoption of Norfolk’s Vision Zero Policy in 2019, the City developed a program that would align projects and policies with the goal of achieving zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries by the year 2050.

Aligned with the Safe Systems Approach’s core objectives (Safer Streets; Safer Speeds; Safer People) key strategies have been identified to improve safety in Norfolk through various projects and initiatives across our divisions, including data analysis, transportation planning, roadway design, traffic operations and maintenance and educational outreach.

Data Analysis for Safer Streets, Speeds and People

A Crash Data Dashboard for the City of Norfolk was developed to improve public accessibility and visibility to VDOT’s crash data. The webpage also includes summaries and visualizations of key crash data, such as spatial and demographic trends, to paint a picture of safety needs in the City and to inform effective safety countermeasures.

Check out Data: How are we doing? for safety trends in Norfolk Policy

Planning for Safer Streets & Speeds

The Multimodal Transportation Master Plan takes a comprehensive look at Norfolk’s transportation network and identifies ways to expand travel choices that are both safe and convenient for bicyclists, scooter riders, transit users, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. Ensuring the safety of vulnerable road users is a key objective of the Master Plan and directly aligns with the City’s Vision Zero policy.

The Department of Transportation received a grant from the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) federal funding program in 2023 to develop a Safety Action Plan for the City of Norfolk as a comprehensive guide to achieving Vision Zero and eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The process for developing the plan included extensive crash data analysis, public engagement and safety countermeasure identification.

Roadway Design & Traffic Management for Safer Streets & Speeds

Aligned with the Complete Streets Policy adopted by Norfolk City Council, the Engineering and Traffic Operations Divisions are working on a wide range of projects that enhance street safety and multimodal accessibility across the City of Norfolk, including:

• Sidewalk and pedestrian crossing improvements
• Pedestrian signal improvements
• ADA Ramp Program
• Street Lighting Program
• Neighborhood Speed Reduction Program

Check out the Current Projects and Studies page for a comprehensive list of all transportation projects.

Educational Outreach for Safer People

Outreach and education are essential components of advancing Vision Zero. Alongside advocacy and educational partners like the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Active Transportation (BPAT) Commission, BikeNorfolk and Safe Routes to School, we can meet with communities to hear their stories, concerns and desires for a safer Norfolk, while also sharing resources on how to get around safely and participate in future transportation projects.

Check out Educational Resources to learn more about best safety practices!

What’s Next for VZ?

• Continue to develop and implement projects listed in the Multimodal Transportation Master Plan and incorporate key safety countermeasures outlined in the Safety Action Plan
• Work with other City departments and stakeholders to develop policy and program initiatives identified in the Safey Action Plan.
• Apply for grant opportunities to fund safety-focused projects as they become available through various state and federal funding programs.
• Develop processes for monitoring the direct impact of roadway improvement projects on city-wide safety outcomes based on local crash data and other sources.
• Continue and expand educational outreach efforts to spread the word about Vision Zero and the importance of safe and responsible roadway use.