Toward Zero Deaths

Perhaps even most traffic safety professionals feel that TZD is just a pipe dream ... IT IS NOT.  The key is not in the driver, although efforts must continue to alter driver behavior in order to get back all that we have lost from the recent surge in fatalities caused by e-distracted driving.  But the real promise for a true ZD is in technolgy.  See the article on electric cars obtaining their power from the roadway itself ... not a dream -- it has been accomplished experimentally.  Also, there is promise in vehicle radar systems.

It is not at all a stretch to see that if the power can be obtained from the roadway, so can the speed and the distance between vehicles can be determined by an integrated radar system.  Given that these parameters can be controlled, we can truly move Toward Zero Deaths -- absolute zero.  It is right around the corner for major new roadways and repaving projects, and the vehicle manufacturers are also taking the initiative.  But until all of this is in place it will be up to drivers to assure that we continue to move Toward Zero Deaths.




See articles to the right; also from AASHTO:

"Toward Zero Deaths: a National Strategy on Highway Safety" resource page. 

"Toward Zero Deaths: A National Strategy on Highway Safety will be a data-driven effort focusing on identifying and creating opportunities for changing American culture as it relates to highway safety. The effort will also focus on developing strong leadership and champions in the organizations that can directly impact highway safety through engineering, enforcement, education, emergency medical service (EMS), policy, public health, communications, and other efforts. The national strategy will be utilized as a guide and framework by safety stakeholder organizations to enhance current national, state and local safety planning and implementation efforts. The intent is to develop a mechanism for bringing together a wider range of highway safety stakeholders to work toward institutional and cultural changes."  -- FHWA Toward Zero Deaths web page link to the right.

For more detailed information, see the articles and links related to TZD white papers to the right.

Note other links to the right:

• FHWA Toward Zero Deaths Page
• FHWA Safety Homepage
• FHWA MUTCD Homepage
• National Traffic & Road Closure Information
• FHWA Roadside Hardware Policy & Guidance

• Excerpts of our annual performance plan
• Information about our peer to peer program
• Information regarding our Every Day Counts Initiative with emphasis on the safety edge
• Information related to speed management
• Information related to integrating safety in planning

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