Safety is a key policy focus area in the Regional Transportation Plan. VISION 2050, the region's overarching policy framework, includes a policy to support and achieve the state's long-term goal of zero deaths and serious injuries.
To help the region achieve this goal, PSRC has launched a multiyear effort to improve traffic safety in the central Puget Sound region in a comprehensive, data-informed, equitable, and collaborative way. Identified as an action item in the Regional Transportation Plan and funded primarily by a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, PSRC is developing a Regional Safety Action Plan that will:
- Foster a regional culture of safety through increased awareness and focus on a Safe System approach to protect vulnerable roadway users.
- Identify safety issues and proven countermeasures, strategies, and tools.
- Be based on extensive research, analysis and public engagement.
- Complement the development of local safety action plans, six of which are included in the region’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant.
- Inform PSRC’s competitive project selection processes and future Regional Transportation Plans.
Development Timeline
PSRC released a draft Regional Safety Action Plan for public comment on January 15,2025, and the review period closed on February 14.
Comments were received from approximately 60 members of the public, PSRC member jurisdictions, and other organizations. Comments have been delineated and categorized by topic and will be noted as being either general plan comments, technical corrections or clarifications, or comments requiring board review when fully processed. Once comments have been fully categorized and responses prepared, the below summary will be updated.
Staff will present the comments and discuss any changes to the draft plan with the Transportation Policy Board and Executive Board at their March and April meetings.
The Executive Board will be asked to recommend approval of the final Regional Safety Action Plan at their meeting on April 24, with final adoption scheduled for the May 22, 2025 General Assembly meeting.
Give Feedback
PSRC has launched an Engagement Hub to collect feedback on the Regional Safety Action Plan. Visitors can:
- Learn about traffic safety in the region and solutions under consideration.
- Provide feedback on the plan.
- View upcoming meetings and events.
Safe System Approach
PSRC's safety work follows the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe System approach, which takes a holistic view of improving traffic safety and mitigating risk. It anticipates human mistakes, acknowledges that humans are vulnerable, and promotes redundancies in traffic safety, so if a crash happens, it is less likely to be fatal. Founded on the principles that death and serious injuries are unacceptable and responsibility is shared, the Safe System approach considers the design, infrastructure, and systemic issues behind crashes.