Vision Zero Louisville Safety Action Plan

JEFFERSON COUNTY, KY

TRANSPORTATION

In 2021, Palmer Engineering partnered with the Louisville Metro Government (LMG) and the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety to finalize the Louisville Roadway Safety Plan—the first comprehensive roadway safety plan created for a local agency in Kentucky.

The study analyzed more than 127,000 crashes across the Louisville Metro area, highlighting key emphasis areas such as:

High-risk intersections
Non-motorized users (pedestrians and cyclists)
Impaired driving

From Safety Plan to Vision Zero

The findings became the foundation for the Vision Zero Louisville Safety Action Plan, which outlines strategies in:

Education – raising awareness and promoting safe driving behaviors
Enforcement – supporting effective traffic law enforcement
Emergency Services – improving response to crash incidents
Engineering – designing safer roadway infrastructure

Impact and Future Applications

The Louisville Roadway Safety Plan has already supported multiple Safe Streets for All (SS4A) implementation grants, helping fund roadway safety improvements throughout the city. Its innovative framework now serves as a model for other Kentucky communities pursuing safer, more equitable transportation systems.

Unique Aspects

Opportunities

Pioneering Roadway Safety Plan: Palmer Engineering led Kentucky’s first Roadway Safety Plan for a local agency, establishing a model framework for other communities to enhance transportation safety.
Collaborative Approach: Working closely with Louisville Metro Government (LMG), the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, and other agencies, Palmer gained valuable insights that strengthened the plan’s effectiveness.
Measurable Impact on Roadway Safety: The plan addressed critical safety issues, including impaired driving, intersection safety, and non-motorized user protection, providing a foundation to improve Kentucky traffic safety and potentially save lives.
Challenges

· Large Traffic Crash Data Management: Palmer Engineering managed and analyzed over 127,000 crash records, identifying patterns and trends to inform traffic safety improvements.
Identifying Key Risk Factors: By evaluating detailed crash data, the team pinpointed critical emphasis areas specific to Louisville Metro, including intersections, impaired driving, and non-motorized user risks.
Collaboration Across Agencies: Effective coordination with multiple local and state agencies ensured accurate data integration and strengthened the overall transportation safety planning process.
Successes

· Vision Zero Integration: The study’s findings were incorporated into the Vision Zero Louisville Safety Action Plan, advancing the city’s commitment to eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
Transferable Safety Strategies: Methods, procedures, and lessons learned from this project were designed for adaptation by other communities, extending Palmer Engineering’s influence in roadway safety improvements across Kentucky.
Federal Grant Opportunities: Completion of the study positioned Louisville Metro to successfully compete for multiple Safe Streets for All (SS4A) federal grants, supporting the construction of impactful safety projects.