HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - COMPLETE AGENDA - 02/14/2023 - WORK SESSIONNOTICE:
Work Sessions of the City Council are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month in
the Colorado Room of the 222 Building. Meetings are conducted in a hybrid format, however
there is no public participation permitted in a work session.
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their adopted policies and protocol.
Fort Collins City Council
Work Session Agenda
6:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Colorado Room, 222 Laporte Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80521
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A solicitud, la Ciudad de Fort Collins proporcionará servicios de acceso a idiomas para
personas que no dominan el idioma inglés, o ayudas y servicios auxiliares para personas
con discapacidad, para que puedan acceder a los servicios, programas y actividades de la
Ciudad. Para asistencia, llame al 970.221.6515 (V/TDD: Marque 711 para Relay Colorado). Por
favor proporcione aviso previo. Las solicitudes de interpretación en una reunión deben
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City of Fort Collins Page 1 of 2
City Council Work Session
Agenda
February 14, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Jeni Arndt, Mayor
Emily Francis, District 6, Mayor Pro Tem
Susan Gutowsky, District 1
Julie Pignataro, District 2
Tricia Canonico, District 3
Shirley Peel, District 4
Kelly Ohlson, District 5
Colorado River Community Room
222 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins
Cablecast on FCTV
Channel 14 on Connexion
Channel 14 and 881 on Comcast
Carrie Daggett Kelly DiMartino Anissa Hollingshead
City Attorney City Manager City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
6:00 PM
A) CALL MEETING TO ORDER
B) ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Staff Report: Snow Removal.
2. Vision Zero Action Plan.
The purpose of this work session is to present the draft Vision Zero Action Plan to City Council for
feedback in advance of adoption hearings. Vision Zero is a vision of zero traffic deaths and serious
injuries by 2032. The Vision Zero Action Plan is a new approach to roadway safety that expands
existing efforts to improve traffic safety. The plan identifies key opportunities to significantly
improve and expand the city’s traffic safety efforts. The project team incorporated feedback
received from the community during the December 9 – January 13 public comment period into the
draft Vision Zero Action Plan.
3. Land Use Code Housing Updates: Process and Next Steps.
The purpose of this work session is to outline potential paths forward for Council’s consideration
of housing-related changes to the City’s Land Use Code (LUC). This work session follows the
repeal of Ordinance No. 114, 2022 on January 17, 2023.
C) ANNOUNCEMENTS
D) ADJOURNMENT
Upon request, the City of Fort Collins will provide language access services for individuals who have limited
English proficiency, or auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities, to access City services,
programs and activities. Contact 970.221.6515 (V/TDD: Dial 711 for Relay Colorado) for assistance.
Please provide advance notice. Requests for interpretation at a meeting should be made by noon the day
before.
Page 1
City of Fort Collins Page 2 of 2
A solicitud, la Ciudad de Fort Collins proporcionará servicios de acceso a idiomas para personas que no
dominan el idioma inglés, o ayudas y servicios auxiliares para personas con discapacidad, para que
puedan acceder a los servicios, programas y actividades de la Ciudad. Para asistencia, llame al
970.221.6515 (V/TDD: Marque 711 para Relay Colorado). Por favor proporcione aviso previo. Las
solicitudes de interpretación en una reunión deben realizarse antes del mediodía del día anterior.
Page 2
Snow & Ice Removal
Operations
February 14, 2023
Mallory Gallegos
Streets Director
James Reed
Streets Senior Manager
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Item 1.
2022-2023 Snow Season 2
November 2022 –January 2023
•8 snow storms
•22.5 inches of snow
Annual Average
•14 snow storms
•48 inches of snow
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Item 1.
Snow Crews 3
24/7 365 Operations:
•2 Crews on 12-Hour Shifts
•48 Plow Truck CDL Operators
•6 Pick-Up Truck/Small Equipment Drivers
•6 Crew Chiefs
•3 Contractors
Snow Removal:
•9 Routes including BRT Guideway
•103 Miles of Sidewalks
•16 Parking Lots
•5 Protected Bike Lane Areas
•2 Parking Structures
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Item 1.
Before the Storm 4
•Weather Forecast
•Pre-Storm Coordination
•Materials and Storage
•Equipment
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Item 1.
During the Storm
Monitoring Road
Conditions:
•Air Temp
•Cameras
•Pavement Temp
•Level of Grip
5
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Item 1.
6During the Storm
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Item 1.
During and After the Storm
Snow Removal:
•Sidewalks
•Bike Lanes
•Protected Bike Lanes
•Parking Lots
•Parking Structures
7
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Item 1.
8During and After the Storm: Community Resources
Email: streets@fcgov.com
Phone: 970-221-6615
App: Access Fort Collins
Website: www.fcgov.com/streets
•Snow Routes
•Snow Plow Tracking
•Traffic Cameras
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Item 1.
•Prioritize Service Requests
•Perform Ice-Cutting
•Post-Storm After Action
•Equipment Maintenance
•Prepare for Next Storm
9After the Storm
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Item 1.
For More Information, Visit
THANK YOU!
Fcgov.com/streets
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Item 1.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 1 of 6
February 14, 2023
WORK SESSION AGENDA
ITEM SUMMARY
City Council
STAFF
Tyler Stamey, City Traffic Engineer
Rachel Ruhlen, Transportation Planner
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Vision Zero Action Plan.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this work session is to present the draft Vision Zero Action Plan to City Council for
feedback in advance of adoption hearings. Vision Zero is a vision of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries
by 2032. The Vision Zero Action Plan is a new approach to roadway safety that expands existing efforts
to improve traffic safety. The plan identifies key opportunities to significantly improve and expand the
city’s traffic safety efforts. The project team incorporated feedback received from the community during
the December 9 – January 13 public comment period into the draft Vision Zero Action Plan.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. Do Councilmembers support the plan’s vision and goals?
2. Do Councilmembers support the plan’s transformative and supporting actions?
3. What feedback do Councilmembers have on the plan’s actions and implementation strategy?
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Background
In 2016, Fort Collins became the first municipality to join the Colorado Department of Transportation’s
Moving Towards Zero Deaths initiative. However, traffic deaths and serious injuries continue to occur
despite that commitment and despite existing traffic enforcement, operations, and capital projects. In 2021,
eleven people lost their lives while traveling on Fort Collins’ streets and 332 crashes resulted in serious
injuries or deaths.
The City of Fort Collins is developing a Vision Zero Action Plan to renew its commitment to creating safer
streets where no one is at risk of losing their life or being seriously injured. The City funding used to develop
the plan was from the FC Moves program budget. The consulting firm Toole Design Group supported the
development of this plan as an amendment to the Active Modes Plan contract. The project kicked off in
April 2022 and is anticipated for City Council to adopt in Spring 2023.
Vision Zero is an approach to transportation safety that accepts no loss of life or serious injury on our
transportation system. Vision Zero takes the Safe System approach to prioritize safety in decision-making
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City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 2 of 6
processes. The Safe System approach is different from conventional ways of addressing traffic safety
because it recognizes that while humans make mistakes when using our roads, death and serious injury
are not acceptable outcomes. Responsibility for a safe road system should be shared, proactive, and
redundant to prevent people from being killed or seriously injured on roadways. Under Vision Zero, City
leadership, engineers, transportation planners, land use planners, law enforcement, policymakers, and
road users all have a shared responsibility to prevent fatal and serious injury crashes from occurring. The
principle of redundancy recognizes that law enforcement cannot prevent all road user mistakes. Other
layers of protection - in addition to law enforcement - are needed to prevent severe crashes.
Strategic Alignment
The Vision Zero Action Plan is strategically aligned with other key plans and initiatives including:
• City Plan
Principle T 10: Support and enhance safety for all modes.
Other outcome areas including Neighborhood Livability & Social Health, Environmental Health,
and Safe Communities
• Transportation Master Plan
Safety Vision Statement: Safety is a key priority when planning, implementing and operating
transportation elements in the city, as exemplified through the City’s Vision Zero commitment
to reduce and eliminate serious injury and fatal crashes.
• City Council 2021 – 2023 Priorities
Improved traffic compliance
• Active Modes Plan
Goal: Eliminate active mode fatalities and serious injuries by 2032
Big Move: Safe and Comfortable Travel
• Transportation Capital Projects Prioritization Study (TCPPS)
TCPPS, which is under development, identifies the top priority capital road projects every ten
years. Safety is a heavily weighted criterion.
Community Engagement
Development of the Vision Zero Action Plan drew from community input received on recent related efforts
such as the Active Modes Plan (a Vision Zero visioning question was included during Active Modes Plan
engagement) and the Transportation Capital Projects Prioritization Study as well as 1,118 service requests
received on neighborhood safety concerns/issues, new signals or pedestrian crossings, roadway safety
concerns, or school safety concerns through Access Fort Collins.
A Technical Advisory Committee, composed of City staff from thirteen departments and members of nine
partner agencies, provided feedback at key junctures throughout the plan development. Importantly, the
Technical Advisory Committee included staff who are already engaged in traffic safety efforts, including
enforcement, operations, and capital projects. Thus, the Action Plan builds on existing programs and
initiatives.
The Bicycle Advisory Committee, Transportation Board, and other interested City Boards and
Commissions were also engaged and provided input. Finally, the draft plan received 43 comments during
the public input phase December 9, 2022 – January 13, 2023.
Vision and Goals
The plan vision and goals guide actions, prioritization, and implementation. The plan is oriented around
the year 2032, ten years after the kickoff of plan development. The plan vision and goals were informed
by input from the public, the Technical Advisory Committee, and City Boards and Committees.
Vision
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Item 2.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 3 of 6
Fort Collins’ vision is that by 2032, no one dies or has a serious injury while traveling on Fort Collins’
streets.
Goals
The Action Plan has the overarching goal to focus on vulnerable road users as a fundamental part of
making roads safer for all road users. Vulnerable road users are people using the transportation system
outside of a traditional passenger car. They may be riding a motorcycle, using a wheelchair, walking,
bicycling, or using other micromobility devices. Making roads safer for vulnerable road users makes the
roads safer for everyone.
The five individual goals are:
• Support mode shift
• Prioritize safer speeds and multimodal places
• Promote a culture of traffic safety
• Increase data transparency and partnerships
• Center equity
High Injury Network and Top Crash Types
A geospatial crash analysis of crash data from 2017 through 2021 was used to identify the High Injury
Network (HIN) – the street segments with the greatest share of severe crashes, those crashes resulting in
serious injury or death. Arterial roads represent 91 percent of the HIN, collector roads represent 6 percent,
and local streets represent 3 percent. The HIN includes 8 percent of the roads in Fort Collins, however,
those roads account for 63 percent of all severe crashes.
Six crash types comprise 87% of severe crashes:
• Approach Turn
• Bicycle-related
• Rear-end
• Right Angle
• Fixed-object
• Pedestrian-related
Actions
Under the five individual goal areas are 11 Transformative Actions and 22 Supporting Actions.
Transformative Actions are the most impactful to achieving Vision Zero and Supporting Actions
complement Transformative Actions. The Technical Advisory Committee developed the actions and
prioritized them as Transformative or Supporting with input from City Boards and Committees.
The eleven Transformative Actions, organized by goal area, are:
• Support mode shift
1. Increase transit frequency and make service improvements consistent with the Short-Term Plan
in the Transit Master Plan
2. Install or upgrade full pedestrian and bicycle networks and treatments consistent with the Active
Modes Plan and Pedestrian Needs Assessment
3. Promote alternatives to driving through the Shift Your Ride Program
• Prioritize safer speeds and multimodal places
4. Implement engineering countermeasures and design streets to manage traffic speeds
5. Test solutions without a big time and cost commitment with temporary and quick -build treatments
• Promote a culture of traffic safety
6. Review and revise standards and policies that are roadblocks to Vision Zero goals
7. Include Vision Zero analysis as part of planning process for all infrastructure projects
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City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 4 of 6
• Increase data transparency and partnerships
8. Create a Vision Zero program with dedicated staff who can apply a safety lens to all planning,
design, and resource allocation decisions
9. Perform annual analysis, before & after studies, and documentation on Vision Zero progress to
celebrate successes and identify areas for improvement
• Center equity
10. Prioritize HIN projects and routine maintenance in historically underserved communities
identified using Larimer County's Health Equity Index to create self-enforcing roadways and reduce
reliance on in-person traffic enforcement
11. Neighborhood/Community grants to fund infrastructure projects with community involvement and
engage historically underserved communities
In addition to the 11 Transformative Actions, 22 Supporting Actions were identified and organized by goal
area.
The 22 Supporting Actions, organized by goal area, are:
• Support Mode Shift
1.1 Continue fare-less transit services through Transfort and implement the Transit Master Plan
1.2 Prioritize trail investments to promote trails for transportation
1.3 Evaluate night-time transit hours and transit stop amenities
• Prioritize Safer Speeds and Multimodal Places
2.1 Implement geometric intersection treatments with proven safety benefits
2.2 Implement signal and/or operational modifications that are proven to reduce severe crashes
2.3 Evaluate all bus stop locations for the installation of pedestrian crossings
• Promote a Culture of Traffic Safety
3.1 Work with a broad range of agencies and organizations to promote traffic safety, such as CSU,
school resource officers, mental health organizations
3.2 Work with the media to more accurately report traffic crashes and avoid victim-blaming
3.3. Pair roadway design changes with communication on why changes are needed, and include
branded Vision Zero signage during project construction
3.4 Engage City staff in trainings and facilitated conversations to better understand Vision Zero
goals, and roadblocks and opportunities for successful implementation
3.5 Support the establishment of a victims’ advocacy organization such as a local chapter of Families
for Safe Streets
3.6 Incorporate safety features in City fleet vehicles and expand safe driver training and awareness
among people who drive City fleet vehicles
3.7 Fully staff the Traffic Enforcement Unit
• Increase Data Transparency and Partnerships
4.1 Expand current group of safety stakeholders into an interdisciplinary Vision Zero Task Force
and continue regular meetings to review data and ongoing traffic safety performance and determine
strategies for improvement
4.2 Work with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Larimer County to provide more
timely statewide or region-wide crash data
4.3 Convene rapid response meetings after all severe crashes, investigate how roadway design
contributed to the crashes and implement near-term safety improvements as appropriate to subject
location and other locations with similar characteristics
4.4 Partner with medical and substance abuse organizations to share data and strategies
4.5 Provide a dashboard with accessible data about traffic fatalities and serious injury crashes on
the City’s website and incorporate data and trends into the annual safety report
4.6 Advocate for policies regulating automated vehicles that advance Vision Zero safety goals
• Center Equity
5.1 Pilot a diversion program with education to encourage safe behaviors over more punitive
measures such as fines
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Item 2.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 5 of 6
5.2 Engage youth to raise awareness of Vision Zero and solicit their input on programs and street
design projects
5.3 Expand use of automated traffic enforcement (speed, red-light cameras) in place of in-person
traffic enforcement and deploy throughout the HIN; any revenues received from fines should be
used to improve traffic safety.
Countermeasures
Countermeasures to address the six top crash types are:
• Backplates with Retroreflective Borders
• Bicycle Lanes
• Bikeways at Intersections
• Chicanes and Pinch Points
• Corner Islands and Turn Wedges
• Corridor Access Management
• Crosswalk Lighting and Daylighting
• Curb Extensions
• Hardened Centerlines
• Leading Pedestrian Interval
• Medians
• No Turn on Red Restrictions
• Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon
• Pedestrian Recall Signal Timing
• Pedestrian Refuge Island
• Protected Turn Phase
• Raised Crossings and Intersections
• Road Diet/Roadway Reconfiguration
• Lane Narrowing
• Roundabouts
• Speed Safety Cameras
• Traffic Signal Timing
Funding
While implementation will require some additional resources, including one new FTE, this plan largely
looks to existing programs and processes and how those can be adjusted to align with the goal of Vision
Zero. This plan does not contain an inventory of projects or programs with cost estimates. Most costs are
one-time expenditures. With new federal funding streams that prioritize safety – and require communities
to have safety action plans – this is an advantageous time to leverage local match to receive federal funds.
Resources required for each Transformative Action were estimated as high, medium, or low. While some
Transformative and Supporting actions may require additional funds, some do not require funding beyond
what would be required for existing plans and programs, staff time, or a small amount of additional funding.
A key Transformative Action that will require additional resources is a full-time dedicated staff position.
Funds for this and other actions requiring additional resources will be pursued through the BFO process
and external grants.
Conclusion
The Vision Zero Action Plan stems from existing traffic safety efforts in enforcement, traffic operations, and
capital projects and extends previous efforts such as the Active Modes Plan and the Transportation Capital
Projects Prioritization Study. New federal funding streams that prioritize safety require Action Plans in
place for eligibility. Through implementation, the Vision Zero Action Plan will help Fort Collins achieve the
vision of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries. The actions and countermeasures provide a high-level
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City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 6 of 6
framework for implementing this citywide vision and making every traveler safer – people inside and
outside of motor vehicles.
NEXT STEPS
The project team will incorporate feedback from Councilmembers into the Vision Zero Action Plan in
preparation for adoption hearings, to be scheduled for Spring 2023.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Vision Zero Action Plan 02.14.23
2. Public Input and Responses to draft Vision Zero Action Plan 02.14.23
3. Endorsement from the Senior Advisory Board 12.14.2022
4. Transportation Board Minutes 11.16.2022 (excerpt)
5. Bicycle Advisory Committee Minutes 11.28.2022 (excerpt)
6. Presentation
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Item 2.
FORT COLLINS VISION ZERO ACTION PLAN
January 31, 2023 | DRAFT
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Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 1
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 What is Vision Zero? ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 The Fort Collins Vision ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Goals of the Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan........................................................................................................................................... 8
Understanding Safety Issues in Fort Collins ................................................................................................................................. 11 Current Efforts ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Stakeholder and Community Engagement .................................................................................................................................................... 12 Best Practices .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Crash Trends ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 High-Injury Network (HIN) .................................................................................................................................................................................. 19
How Fort Collins Will Achieve Vision Zero ................................................................................................................................... 21 An Equitable Approach ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Transformative Actions and Supporting Actions ........................................................................................................................................ 23 Countermeasures ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 32 Implementation ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 35
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Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 2
Executive Summary Any traffic deaths or life-changing injuries in Fort Collins are unacceptable. In 2021, there were 332 crashes in Fort Collins that resulted in a fatality or injury. In that year, 11 people lost their lives while traveling on Fort Collins’ streets. These events bring immeasurable personal loss and negative community impacts. The City of Fort Collins is taking the Vision Zero approach to transportation safety to renew its commitment to creating safer streets where no one is at risk of losing their life or being seriously injured. Fort Collins’ priorities and commitment to Vision Zero are centered on the understanding that even a single traffic fatality or serious injury is unacceptable. Many communities have made a formal commitment to Vision Zero but fewer have achieved it. Those that have achieved at least one year of Vision Zero, such as Boulder, Arvada, and Centennial in Colorado, and other cities with population similar to Fort Collins, such as Oxnard CA, Lansing MI, and Allentown PA, and hundreds of other town and cities around the word, are an inspiration and a model for Fort Collins. Fort Collins’ vision is that:
The Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan takes a data-driven approach to analyze crash trends and identify a High-Injury Network (HIN) where a disproportionate number of crashes led to fatalities and serious injuries. It outlines specific actions for the City to take in the next ten years to achieve Vision Zero. The actions in the Plan address safety issues in these crash trends and the HIN.
Developing the Action Plan The Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan was developed collaboratively by City staff across multiple departments. A Technical Advisory Group that represents a diverse cross-section of the Fort Collins government and local and statewide organizations was formed to guide the development of the Plan and prioritization of action items. Additionally, feedback from the larger Fort Collins community has guided the development of the Plan. This included presentations to and feedback from various City boards and committees, an online public review of this Action Plan, and outreach efforts for previous plans of the Fort Collins’ transportation system. These previous plans include the Transportation Capital Projects Prioritization Study and the Fort Collins Active Modes Plan. The Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan is tied to the City’s existing plans and policies and identifies ways to reprioritize existing efforts to achieve Vision Zero.
By 2032, no one dies or has a serious injury while traveling on Fort
Collins’ streets.
What is a Serious Injury? The United States Department of Transportation defines a serious injury or suspected serious injury as any injury other than fatal that results in one or more of the following:
Severe laceration resulting in exposure of underlying tissues/muscle/organs or resulting in significant loss of blood
Broken or distorted extremity (arm or leg)
Crush injuries
Suspected skull, chest, or abdominal injury other than bruises or minor lacerations
Significant burns (second and third degree burns over 10% or more of the body)
Unconsciousness when taken from the crash scene
Paralysis Crashes that lead to fatal or serious injures are referred in the Action Plan as “severe crashes”
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Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 3
As part of the data-driven approach to develop the Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan, the street segments with the greatest share of severe crashes – those resulting in death or injury - were identified via a geospatial analysis of crash data. These street segments make up the High-Injury Network (HIN) and are mapped below.
The HIN represents just eight percent (8%) of the streets in Fort Collins, however, those street segments account for sixty-three percent (63%) of all severe crashes in the city. Targeting safety investments to the HIN will have the greatest impact on reducing severe crashes.
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Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 4
Goals and Actions to Achieve Vision Zero The goals in the Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan will guide the implementation of actions to achieve Vision Zero. The Action Plan establishes five individual goals plus one overarching goal for the City. Under each of the five individual goals are several action items to achieve that goal. Actions are categorized as Transformative – most impactful to help move Fort Collins towards achieving Vision Zero, or Supporting – less impactful actions that are important in complementing the transformative action items.
Focus on Vulnerable Users The Action Plan has the overarching goal to focus on vulnerable road users as a fundamental part of making roads safer for all road users. Vulnerable road users are people using the transportation system outside of a motor vehicle. They may be riding a motorcycling, using a wheelchair, walking, bicycling, or using other micromobility devices. Making roads safer for vulnerable road users makes the roads safer for everyone.
Support Mode Shift
Promoting sustainable transportation such as
walking, biking, and using public transit will
help the Fort Collins community reduce
dependency on motor vehicles. Motor vehicles
are involved with nearly all severe traffic
crashes; therefore, the development of safe
multimodal street networks, and programs and
policies that increase the use of sustainable
modes and decrease the use of motor vehicles
can help the community achieve Vision Zero.
Prioritize Safer Speeds and Multimodal
Places
High motor vehicle speeds increase the risk of
serious injury or death. Engineering solutions
such as road diets, crossing improvements, and
traffic signal optimization have been shown to
slow speeds, create people-centric spaces, and
reduce severe crashes.
Promote a Culture of Traffic Safety
Achieving zero traffic deaths and serious
injuries can only be successful if Fort Collins’
street planners and designers, City leaders, and
street users set priorities and make decisions
that improve transportation safety and reduce
severe crashes.
Increase Data Transparency and
Partnerships
Improving the accuracy, timeliness, and quality
of crash data helps planners, engineers, and
policymakers make better decisions about
resource allocation and facility design. Data on
the locations of severe crashes will help in
prioritizing, implementing, and evaluating
projects that support Vision Zero.
Center Equity
A Vision Zero initiative is successful when
everyone is safe using Fort Collins’ streets. An
equitable Vision Zero process helps ensure
improvement projects and programs reduce
harm without increasing the burden on
historically underserved communities. The proposed action items in the Plan are high-level and include a broad assessment of the high, medium, or low level of resources required. As the actions are developed, more specific cost estimates can be determined. Some actions can be accomplished with little to no additional expense or staff time while others require more funding. New federal funding streams that prioritize safety may help fund these actions, and the Vision Zero Action Plan and safety investments will be important for increasing Fort Collins’ competitiveness to leverage this funding.
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Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 5
Introduction The City of Fort Collins has taken safety seriously for decades. As the first public local entity to join the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Moving Towards Zero Deaths initiative to eliminate traffic-related deaths, the City of Fort Collins has developed a reputation for its dedication to traffic safety. Fort Collins has robust traffic enforcement, designs for traffic safety in road construction projects, and systemically encodes safety in traffic operations. City departments coordinate with each other and collaborate with outside agencies to promote traffic safety. However, despite these efforts, traffic crashes continue to result in fatalities and serious injuries. An average of 285 crashes on Fort Collins’ streets resulted in an injury or fatality every year from 2017 through 2021. Not only do these tragic events contribute to immeasurable personal loss, but they also put elevated pressure on the local emergency response, and the unsafe and uncomfortable environments that lead to severe crashes discourage the use of active modes, affecting communitywide health and mobility and our ability to meet climate goals. Fort Collins needs a new approach to roadway safety, one that expands existing efforts to improve traffic safety. Therefore, the Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan builds on previous City plans and policies, and emphasizes:
• Making the existing road network safer
• Focusing on the safety of all road users
• Eliminating crashes that result in fatalities and serious injuries
• Reducing conflicts at intersections, along the high-injury network, and within historically underserved communities
• Planning for ongoing evaluation and monitoring of deployed strategies
Vision Zero is an opportunity to address traffic safety from a variety of angles and to guide City leadership in designing streets that emphasize safety, predictability, and comfort while recognizing the inevitability of human error.
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Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 6
A “ghost bike” marks the location where someone riding a bicycle was killed in a collision in 2021.
Source: City of Fort Collins
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Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 7
What is Vision Zero? Vision Zero is an approach to transportation safety that accepts no loss of life or serious injury on our transportation system. Vision Zero takes the Safe System approach to prioritize safety in decision-making processes. The Safe System approach is different from conventional ways of addressing traffic safety because it recognizes that while humans make mistakes when using our roads, death and serious injury are not acceptable outcomes. Responsibility for a safe road system should be shared, proactive, and redundant to prevent people from being killed or seriously injured on roadways. Under Vision Zero, City leadership, traffic engineers, transportation network designers, local enforcement, policymakers, and road users all have a shared responsibility to prevent fatal and serious injury crashes from occurring. The principle of redundancy recognizes that law enforcement cannot prevent all road user mistakes. Other layers of protection - in addition to law enforcement - are needed to prevent severe crashes. The principles of the Safe System approach are outlined in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Principles of the Safe System Approach. Source: FHWA.
The Fort Collins Vision Fort Collins’ priorities and commitment to Vision Zero are centered on the understanding that even a single traffic fatality or serious injury is unacceptable. Fort Collins’ vision for traffic safety is that: By 2032, no one dies or has a
serious injury while traveling on Fort Collins’ streets. Guided by this vision statement, Fort Collins created this Action Plan containing strategies to achieve Vision Zero. This vision statement supports and aligns with the Active Modes Plan vision horizon and statement, that the City will achieve 50 percent active mode share and eliminate active modes traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2032.
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Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 8
Goals of the Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan After initial stakeholder engagement, analysis of existing conditions and citywide goals, and a review of best practices in Vision Zero Action Plans from peer cities, six goals emerged.
Overarching Goal: Focus on Vulnerable Users The overarching goal to focus on vulnerable road users is a fundamental part of making roads safer for all in Fort Collins. Vulnerable road users are people using the transportation system outside of a motor vehicle. They may be riding a motorcycling, using a wheelchair, walking, bicycling, or using other micromobility devices. People riding motorcycles, walking, or bicycling are disproportionately represented in severe crashes. People with disabilities, young people, and the elderly face a high risk of traffic fatalities and injuries. People with disabilities and the elderly may walk or move more slowly, people in wheelchairs and children have a lower profile and are harder to see, and people with vision, hearing, or cognitive impairments may have difficulty accessing critical information on the transportation network. A focus on vulnerable road users is embedded across all goals because measures to reduce severe crashes for vulnerable road users also reduce crashes for people in motor vehicles. However, measures to reduce severe crashes for people in motor vehicles do not necessarily reduce severe crashes for vulnerable road users. For example, seatbelts protect people in motor vehicles but do not protect people outside, while roundabouts protect people inside and outside of motor vehicles by reducing the number of conflict points and reducing motor vehicle speed.
Support Mode Shift
Promoting sustainable transportation such as walking, biking, and using public transit will help the Fort Collins
community reduce dependency on motor vehicles. Motor vehicles are involved with nearly all severe traffic crashes;
therefore, the development of safe multimodal street networks, and programs and policies that increase the use of
sustainable modes and decrease the use of motor vehicles can help the community achieve Vision Zero.
Description Historically, Fort Collins' transportation system has been built to prioritize the investment in movement of motor vehicles over all other modes, leading to an unbalanced transportation system and one that is potentially deadly for all road users. A continuation of efforts that direct funding towards improving efficiency for active modes users, increasing the frequency of transit, and supporting alternatives to driving will help Fort Collins reduce car use. Vulnerable road users directly benefit from strategies to reduce dependency on motor vehicles, and having fewer threats on the road benefits all road users.
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 9
Prioritize Safer Speeds and Multimodal Places
High motor vehicle speeds increase the risk of serious injury or death. Engineering solutions such as road diets, crossing
improvements, and traffic signal optimization have been shown to slow speeds, create people-centric spaces, and reduce
severe crashes.
Description Creating safe speeds involves designing streets to manage traffic speed. Slower speeds reduce the kinetic energy of crashes and result in a smaller chance of injury or death for people inside and outside of motor vehicles. National research indicates that the risk of death or severe injury (as defined in the report) increases for people walking when motorists’ speed increases (Figure 2). Managing traffic speed through engineering improvements also makes streets safer and more inviting for people using active transportation.
Figure 2: Relation Between Motorist Speeds and Rate of Pedestrian Fatality or Severe Injury
Source: Tefft, B.C. (2011). Impact Speed and a Pedestrian’s Risk of Severe Injury or Death (Technical Report). Washington, D.C.:
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 10
Promote a Culture of Traffic Safety
Achieving zero traffic deaths and serious injuries can only be successful if Fort Collins’ street planners and designers, City
leaders, and street users set priorities and make decisions that improve transportation safety and reduce severe crashes.
Description This goal includes shifting internal agency priorities and standards to the latest best practices to create and maintain safe roads, and community engagement so that there is an understanding of the dangers of unsafe streets and the need for roadway redesigns. It is a community-driven goal that requires buy-in and support from diverse stakeholders, the community, elected officials, interdepartmental agency staff, and the media. Vulnerable road users directly benefit from strategies to promote a culture of traffic safety because it establishes that vulnerable road users have a right to use the public right-of-way safely. People in motor vehicles benefit from a culture of traffic safety that results in fewer severe crashes.
Increase Data Transparency and Partnerships
Improving the accuracy, timeliness, and quality of crash data helps planners, engineers, and policymakers make better
decisions about resource allocation and facility design. Data on the locations of severe crashes will help in prioritizing,
implementing, and evaluating projects that support Vision Zero.
Description Vision Zero is a data-driven effort that relies on up-to-date information to quickly identify areas that are high-risk, determine priorities, and mitigate risks before traffic fatalities and serious injuries can occur. Given limited City resources and funds to make improvements, it is important for the City to formulate a system for collecting, maintaining, sharing, and reviewing data to drive decision-making. Having consistent, publicly available, useable data is also critical for tracking progress, celebrating successes, and adjusting investments in Vision Zero projects. Severe crashes involving vulnerable road users are frequently unreported; additional data sources beyond police reports can fill in gaps.
Center Equity
A Vision Zero initiative is successful when everyone is safe using Fort Collins’ streets. An equitable Vision Zero process
helps ensure improvement projects and programs reduce harm without increasing the burden on historically
underserved communities.
Description National research shows that low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately affected by traffic violence in their neighborhoods. Aiming for equitable implementation by providing more resources to historically underserved communities should be a priority. Vulnerable road users, especially those most reliant on walking and bicycling, are often people without access to motor vehicles, people with low income, and people with disabilities. People with low income, inside and outside of motor vehicles, can least bear the costs associated with severe crashes or the deaths of family members.
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 11
Understanding Safety Issues in Fort Collins Vision Zero takes multiple approaches to understanding systemic factors behind traffic deaths and injuries. First, current efforts in the City of Fort Collins to promote traffic safety were reviewed. Second, in order to better understand community values and priorities around traffic safety and Vision Zero strategies, the City of Fort Collins conducted an extensive review of stakeholder and community feedback received from recent transportation-related planning efforts. Third, best practices from other cities with Vision Zero Action Plans were reviewed. Finally, successful Vision Zero programs are largely data-driven. Therefore, the City of Fort Collins also analyzed crash data to understand how and where people are killed or seriously injured while traveling on Fort Collins’ streets. The locations, contributing factors, and demographic information will help Fort Collins target efforts to achieve Vision Zero. Current Efforts The City of Fort Collins’ current efforts to promote traffic safety include robust traffic enforcement, designing safety in road construction projects, and systemically encoding safety in traffic operations. City departments coordinate and the City collaborates with other agencies to promote traffic safety. The Fort Collins Police Department Traffic Enforcement Unit addresses the top road safety focus areas of speeding, red light and stop sign violations, following too closely, and distracted driving, issuing 7,550 traffic citations in 2021. Fort Collins has used automated enforcement since the first red light cameras in 1997. Today, there are four red light cameras and two camera radar vehicles. Revenue from automated enforcement is used for traffic calming and traffic enforcement equipment. Police Services has officers with specialized training and certification to conduct a commercial vehicle inspection. If a commercial vehicle is stopped and there are indications an inspection should be conducted, a trained certified inspector will conduct that inspection and may place the vehicle out of service until violations have been corrected. The Traffic Unit has not escaped the national shortage of police officers, however, and must be fully staffed for robust traffic enforcement. Traffic safety is designed into road construction projects. Every ten years, the Transportation Capital Projects Prioritization Study ranks arterial intersection and corridor projects with safety as one of the highest criteria. Safety-specific funding opportunities are opportunities to implement projects with a safety focus sooner than others. One recent example of a safety-focused project is the addition of separated bicycle and pedestrian facilities at the Vine Drive and Lemay Avenue overpass, which has been a hot spot of severe crashes and had no sidewalks or bike lanes. Four capital projects with safety as the primary goal are currently underway at intersections around the city. Traffic Operations Department systematically evaluates and adjusts operations to reduce crashes. For example, at College Avenue and Trilby Road, the city’s top hot spot of severe crashes, the protected permissive left turn phase was changed to protected only left turns, with the result of a reduction in the number of crashes. Any intersection that has experienced at least three approach turn crashes is evaluated for changes to the left turn phasing, and signal timing through corridors is coordinated to reduce decision points that result in rear-end collisions. Police and Traffic Operations departments coordinate to assess conditions leading to severe crashes. Police Services collects crash data and Traffic Operations has produced an annual analysis of crash data since 2015, "Safety in the City". Other agencies in Northern Colorado are following Fort Collins’ lead in Vision Zero. In 2019, after its first traffic death in twenty years, Colorado State University (CSU) made a commitment to Vision Zero, established the President's Vision Zero Task Force, and is developing a Vision Zero Action Plan parallel to the City's process.
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 12
Stakeholder and Community Engagement To develop the Vision Zero Action Plan, Fort Collins engaged with a Vision Zero Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), met with select boards and commissions (the Youth Advisory Board, Senior Advisory Board, Disability Advisory Board, the Bicycle Advisory Committee, and the Transportation Board), held an online comment period for the community to review the draft Action Plan, and reviewed feedback from previous outreach efforts. Community input from a variety of past efforts and surveys that helped guide the goals and strategies of the Action Plan is summarized below.
Vision Zero Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) The TAC was comprised of a group of stakeholders that represent a diverse cross-section of the Fort Collins government. The TAC included Fort Collins City staff from: Community Development & Neighborhood Services, Economic Health Office, Engineering Department, FC Moves, Parking Services, Parks Department, Parks Planning & Development, Planning Department, Police Services, Streets Department, Traffic Operations, Transfort, and Utilities Department Local and statewide agencies and organizations that also were a part of the TAC included: Bike Fort Collins, Colorado State University (CSU), Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Larimer County, North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Poudre School District (PSD), Safe Kids Larimer County, and UC Health During three TAC meetings, participants had in-depth discussions centered on: Meeting #1: Existing conditions and vision, mission, and goals Meeting #2: Draft Vision Zero strategies Meeting #3: Prioritization of strategies
Transportation Capital Projects Prioritization Study (TCPPS) The 2022 TCPPS, which analyzed safety and congestion data for intersections and arterial roadways in Fort Collins, consulted community members on their top traffic safety priorities and needs. Outreach activities revealed that crash reduction is the top priority for Fort Collins residents. The number of requests for traffic calming was far higher than the number of concerns regarding vehicle delays. The Fort Collins community expressed a desire for traffic calming measures along minor arterial roads to decrease crossing distances, reallocate lanes as bikeways and bus-only lanes, and better separation of motor vehicles and active modes users.
CDOT Region 4 Bicycle and Pedestrian Study In 2021, CDOT released an online survey to understand what statewide pedestrian and bicycle improvements are needed on CDOT-owned roadways. In Fort Collins, CDOT found unsafe traffic conditions and crossings were a top concern, with many comments calling for more grade-separated crossings and better education for motorists.
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 13
Fort Collins Active Modes Plan (AMP) To improve the environment for active modes users and encourage mode shift in Fort Collins, the 2022 AMP engaged the community on identifying current transportation patterns and needs. Results of outreach activities concluded that the community believes that to achieve Vision Zero, Fort Collins must manage traffic speed, focus on areas with many severe crashes, educate drivers and active modes users on safe practices, and make alternative modes easy and realistic options for everyday travel.
Fort Collins General Service Requests More than three years of service requests submitted by Fort Collins residents were analyzed. Between January 2018 and March 2022, 1,118 service requests were received on neighborhood safety concerns/issues, new signals or pedestrian crossings, roadway safety concerns, or school safety concerns through Access Fort Collins. Over 900 of these requests were categorized by topic:
• 47% on vehicle speed concerns
• 15% on pedestrian traffic issues or crosswalks
• 14% signs and signals requests
• 8% traffic congestion concerns
• Other topics (<5% each) on parking in bike lanes, dangerous intersections, traffic violations, speed bump removal, restriping, line of sight, truck traffic, and noise
Asphalt Art projects are an
opportunity to further engage the
Fort Collins community in the design
elements of the public right-of-way
and can be implemented in the
excess space created by safety
treatments like bulb-outs and curb
extensions. Source: City of Fort
Collins.
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 14
Best Practices The Vision Zero Network 1 guidelines for an effective Vision Zero Action Plan lays out two key components of a strong Action Plan: foundational elements and actionable strategies. These key components are underpinned by a process of continued community engagement and attention to equity.
Foundational elements are:
• Robust data framework
• Measurable goals with a clear timeline for implementation
• Accountability
• Transparency
Actionable strategies should:
• Prioritize roadway design
• Focus on speed management
• Utilize impactful education strategies
• Ensure enforcement is equitable. Reviewing foundational elements and actionable strategies from other Colorado communities and national peer cities, including Boulder and Denver, as well as Ann Arbor MI, Austin TX, and Eugene OR, provided a strong starting point for understanding the strategies needed to address the safety issues in Fort Collins.
1 Vision Zero Network Guidelines for an Effective Vision Zero Action Plan https://visionzeronetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/VZN_ActionPlan_FINAL.pdf
City and County of Denver has
installed inexpensive
treatments like bulb-outs and
curb extensions using low-cost
materials as part of its
solutions to address roadway
safety and help meet its Vision
Zero goals.
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 15
Crash Trends Over the past five years (2017 through 2021), the total number of severe crashes that occur in Fort Collins has fluctuated. However, the number of fatal crashes has been on the rise since 2019 (see Figure 3). In Safety in the City:
Fort Collins 2021 Annual Roadway Safety Report, crashes are categorized by severity. Severe crashes are those resulting in fatalities, minor or non-incapacitating injuries, and major or incapacitating injuries. The Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan focuses on severe crashes. Crash trends from the latest report are summarized below.
Crashes in Fort Collins Occur Most Frequently at Intersections More than three in every four crashes, or 78 percent, occur at an intersection, driveway, or alley access in Fort Collins (see Figure 4).
307 263 279 252 321
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Figure 4: Crash Location Source: Safety in the City: Fort Collins 2021
Annual Roadway Safety Report, August 2022.
Figure 3: Severe Crashes and Fatal Crashes, 2017-2021. Source: Safety in the City: Fort Collins 2021 Annual Roadway Safety Report, August 2022.
50%
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Signalized Intersection
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Driveway Access
Roundabout
Alley Access
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 16
Vulnerable Road Users are Disproportionately Impacted by Severe Crashes While most trips in Fort Collins are made in motor vehicles, travelers using other modes are at disproportionate risk of severe crashes. Crashes involving vulnerable road users account for only 6% of total crashes but make up 35% of all severe crashes and 47% of all fatal crashes (see Figure 5). When vulnerable road users are involved, crashes are more likely to be severe.
Fatal Crashes in Fort Collins Increasing Recently On average in the past five years, ten people have died in roadway crashes in Fort Collins annually. Overall, fatal crashes have increased steadily since 2019, with 10 total crashes occurring in Fort Collins in 2020 and 11 in 2021. Fatal crashes decreased from 2017 to 2019 but increased in 2020 and 2021, even while vehicle miles traveled (VMT), a measure of the amount of driving in a region, decreased in 2020 (see Figure 6).
1.167 B 1.185 B 1.203 B 1.026 B 1.196 B
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VMT (miles/year)Fatal Crashes
Figure 5: Severity Impact on Vulnerable Road Users. Source: Safety in the City: Fort Collins 2021 Annual Roadway Safety Report, August 2022.
Figure 6: Fatal Crashes and Vehicle Miles Traveled Per Year (2017-2021) Crash Data Source: Safety in the City:
Fort Collins 2021 Annual Roadway Safety Report, August 2022. VMT Data Source: Northern Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO).
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 17
The Rate of Fatal Crashes in Fort Collins is Similar to Other Places Fort Collins’ fatal crash rate is just below average for cities of similar size in Colorado (see Figure 7). When compared to peer cities across the United States, Fort Collins’ fatal crash rate sits just above the average (see Figure 8). When it comes to traffic deaths and serious injuries, Fort Collins is doing about average. Fort Collins must do much better than average to achieve Vision Zero.
2.0
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0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Boulder
Arvada
Thornton
Westminster
Fort Collins
Average
Longmont
Greeley
Lakewood
Pueblo
Figure 8: Fatal Crash Rate Comparison to Peer Cities, based on 2017-2020 Data (2021 data was not
available for all peer cities). Source: Safety in the City: Fort Collins 2021 Annual Roadway Safety Report, August 2022.
1.7
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Naperville, IL
Bellevue, WA
Overland Park, KS
Olathe, KS
Broken Arrow, OK
San Angelo, TX
Cedar Rapids, IA
Coral Springs, FL
Average
Richardson, TX
Fort Collins, CO
Norma, OK
Boca Raton, FL
Springfield, MO
Figure 7: Fatal Crash Rate Comparison to Other Colorado Cities, based on 2017-2021 Data. Source: Safety in the City:
Fort Collins 2021 Annual Roadway Safety Report, August 2022.
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 18
Six Crash Types Make Up the Majority of Severe Crashes that Occur on Fort Collins’ Roads Six crash types comprise 87 percent of severe crashes. Figure 9 illustrates these crash types and the frequency of each crash type amongst all crashes and severe crashes. Countermeasures designed to address these crash types have the greatest potential for reduction in traffic deaths and serious injuries. The six prevalent crash types in severe crashes are:
• Approach Turn
• Bicycle-related
• Rear-end • Right Angle
• Fixed-object
• Pedestrian-related
Figure 9: Top 6 Crash Types for Severe Crashes, 2019-2021
Source: Safety in the City: Fort Collins 2021 Annual Roadway Safety Report, August 2022.
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 19
High-Injury Network (HIN) Looking for hot spots of severe crashes is limiting because severe crashes have a random element. For example, two intersections may share many of the same characteristics but only one of them has experienced severe crashes. If it is just chance that the severe crashes so far have happened at that intersection, severe crashes are likely to occur in the future at the intersection that has not yet experienced severe crashes. Countermeasures should be implemented at both intersections to prevent future severe crashes. The High-Injury Network (HIN) consists of the roads most likely to experience severe crashes based on, but not limited by, historical crash data. A geospatial crash analysis of the crash data from 2017 through 2021 was used to identify the HIN in Fort Collins—the street segments that had the greatest share of severe crashes. Arterial roads represent 91 percent of the HIN, collector roads represent 6 percent, and local streets represent only 3 percent. The HIN includes just 8 percent of the roads in Fort Collins, however, those roads account for 63 percent of all severe crashes. Map 1 on the next page shows the Fort Collins HIN. This is where the City should target Vision Zero strategies and countermeasures to reduce severe crashes. Note, while the analysis does not indicate specific high-injury intersections, the analysis accounts for intersections with a high quantity of severe crashes because crashes at intersections are assigned to the roadway segments. More in-depth analysis of the HIN should be performed to identify countermeasures for specific locations.
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 20
Map 1: Fort Collins High-injury Network (2017-2021)
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 21
How Fort Collins Will Achieve Vision Zero An Equitable Approach An equitable approach is woven throughout Fort Collins’ goals and strategies to achieve Vision Zero. While there is a goal to Center Equity, the approach to achieving every goal will be equitable. This approach includes focusing roadway safety improvements in historically underrepresented communities and using equitable engagement and outreach efforts to include people from historically underrepresented communities in decision-making. The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment’s Health Equity Index (HEI) was used to assess the relationship between traffic safety and social and environmental vulnerability. The HEI uses eight indicators linked to the determinants of health and demographics to spatially understand factors that contribute to an individual or household’s potential vulnerability: Youth, Older adults, Racial and ethnic minorities, People with disabilities, Households without a vehicle, Poverty, Poor mental health, Low physical activity and High rates of obesity. The HEI is on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 having the greatest proportion of population with these indicators. The map on the next page illustrates the HEI in relation to the HIN to assist in further defining where Vision Zero strategies and countermeasures should be focused (Map 2).
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 22
Map 2: 2020 Health Equity Index (HEI) Overlaid with HIN
HEI is based on the proportion of the
population with health and equity
indicators linked to potential social
and environmental vulnerability,
where 0 is low and 100 is high
vulnerability.
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 23
Transformative Actions and Supporting Actions The following actions were developed to guide Fort Collins’ efforts towards achieving the goal of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2032. These actions have been identified based on crash data analysis, stakeholder engagement, past community outreach, and guidance from City staff. The Vision Zero actions are listed by the five goals and are broken into two categories:
• Transformative Actions and,
• Supporting Actions.
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Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 24
Transformative Actions Transformative actions are identified to be the most impactful to move Fort Collins towards achieving Vision Zero. Work is already underway on some actions while others will require reorienting existing programs or allocating additional resources. Some actions can be accomplished with little to no additional expense or staff time while others require more funding. Several transformative actions may take some time to initiate, but all should be considered immediate actions and should be fully implemented by the timeline indicated.
Support Mode Shift: Promoting sustainable transportation such as walking, biking, and using public transit will help the Fort Collins community reduce dependency on motor vehicles. Motor vehicles are involved with nearly all severe traffic crashes; therefore, the development of safe multimodal street networks, and programs and policies that increase the use of sustainable modes and decrease the use of motor vehicles can help the community achieve Vision Zero. TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION 1 Increase transit frequency and make service improvements consistent with the actions for the Short-Term Transit Network in the Transit Master Plan Key Implementer(s): Transfort Resources: This will not require funding beyond what is necessary to carry out the Transit Master Plan. Timeline: Near-term: 2023-2025
Implementation Notes: Relation to Vision Zero: Robust, frequent transit that is convenient and reliable enables people to travel without using motor vehicles.
Progress Metrics: 1. Transit mode share. 2. The number of bus routes operating at a 15-minute frequency or better. 3. The number of transit service improvements implemented.
Support Mode Shift
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TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION 2 Install or upgrade full pedestrian and bicycle networks and treatments consistent with the Active Modes Plan and Pedestrian Needs Assessment Key Implementer(s): FC Moves Support: Traffic Operations, Streets Department, Engineering Department, Park Planning & Development Department Resources: This will not require funding beyond what is necessary to carry out the Active Modes Plan. Timeline: Long-term: 2030-2032
Implementation Notes Relation to Vision Zero: Connected, low-stress active mode networks with reliable, safe crossings enable people to travel short distances without motor vehicles and access transit routes.
Progress Metrics: 1. Number of miles added to the low-stress bicycle network 2. Number of pedestrian and bicycle spot improvements completed along roadway and at intersections 3. Percent of miles of low-stress bicycle network or sidewalk on HIN 4. Pedestrian, bicycle, and micromobility mode share TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION 3 Promote alternatives to driving through the Shift Your Ride Program Key Implementer(s): FC Moves Support: Environmental Services, Transfort, Community Development & Neighborhood Services Resources: This will not require funding beyond what is necessary to carry out the Shift Your Ride program. Timeline: Long-term: 2030-2032
Implementation Notes: Relation to Vision Zero: The transportation demand management plan is in development. Encouraging and incentivizing alternatives to driving alone while discouraging and disincentivizing driving alone reduces the number of motor vehicles on the road.
Progress Metrics: 1. Completion of the plan 2. Single-occupant vehicle mode share 3. Vehicle miles traveled
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Prioritize Safer Speeds and Multimodal Places: High motor vehicle speeds increase the risk of serious injury or death. Engineering solutions such as road diets, crossing improvements, and traffic signal optimization have been shown to slow speeds, create people-centric spaces, and reduce severe crashes. TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION 4 Implement engineering countermeasures and design streets to manage traffic speeds Key Implementer(s): FC Moves Support: Traffic Operations, Streets Department, Engineering Department, Emergency Responders Resources: $-$$$
Will require additional or reallocation of staff resources. Timeline: Ongoing
Implementation Notes:
• Implement countermeasures on the HIN, especially intersections with excess crash costs (Safety in the City: 2021 Annual Safety Report, page 36).
• Beyond large capital investments and projects identified in the Transportation Capital Projects Prioritization Study, improvements can be as simple as installing markings for bike lanes, edge lines, or flush medians to narrow lane widths.
• Seek opportunities to include countermeasures into routine repaving, capital projects, development, and other opportunities.
• Seek new federal funding grants and programs that prioritize traffic safety.
• Plan for maintenance so that new treatments function as intended. Progress Metrics: 1. Number of projects implemented on the HIN 2. Reduction of speed at project locations TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION 5 Test solutions without a big time and cost commitment with temporary and quick-build treatments Key Implementer(s): Traffic Operations Support: Engineering Department, FC Moves, Streets Department Resources: $
Will require additional or reallocation of staff resources. Timeline: Ongoing
Implementation Notes:
• Establish a framework for pilot projects with novel approaches.
• Plan for maintenance of quick-build treatments so that they function as intended.
• Temporary and quick-build treatments typically use lower cost materials like paint, rubber curbs, wheel stops, and planters to provide immediate safety benefits.
• Temporary treatments can provide proof-of-concept, test new designs, and build support for more permanent changes. They can also be used to implement systemic safety improvements across many locations in a cost-effective manner.
• They can be easily adjusted based on analysis and community feedback.
• They can be used to engage the community, for example through Asphalt Art. Progress Metrics: 1. Number of locations on the HIN receiving temporary and quick-build treatments 2. Collection of before/after data and public feedback to inform future decisions
Prioritize Safer Speeds and Multimodal Places
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Promote a Culture of Traffic Safety: Achieving zero traffic deaths and serious injuries can only be successful if Fort Collins’ street planners and designers, City leaders, and street users set priorities and make decisions that improve transportation safety and reduce severe crashes. TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION 6 Review and revise standards and policies that are roadblocks to Vision Zero goals Key Implementer(s): FC Moves Support: Planning Department, Engineering Department, Traffic Operations Resources: $
Will require additional or reallocation of staff resources. Timeline: Near-term: 2023-2025
Implementation Notes: • Identify and revise standards and policies that prioritize automobile capacity and speed, and ensure standards and policies prioritize safety for all users.
• Develop and adopt standards to replace guidance from the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices that do not align with Vision Zero. Progress Metrics: 1. Number of standards and policies reviewed 2. Number of standards and policies revised TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION 7 Include Vision Zero analysis as part of planning process for all infrastructure projects Key Implementer(s): Engineering Department Support: FC Moves, Traffic Operations, Utilities, Park Planning and Development, Operations Services Resources: $
Will require additional or reallocation of staff resources. Timeline: Ongoing
Implementation Notes: • Create a Vision Zero checklist to institutionalize prioritizing safety first in all stages of capital project planning and development, and project review.
• Hold quarterly workshops for design plans and retrospective review. Progress Metrics: 1. Creation of a Vision Zero checklist 2. Number of projects that include analysis of Vision Zero goals
Promote a Culture of Traffic Safety
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Increase Data Transparency and Partnerships: Improving the accuracy, timeliness, and quality of crash data helps planners, engineers, and policymakers make better decisions about resource allocation and facility design. Data on the locations of severe crashes will help in prioritizing, implementing, and evaluating projects that support Vision Zero. TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION 8 Create a Vision Zero program with dedicated staff who can apply a safety lens to all planning, design, and resource allocation decisions Key Implementer(s): Traffic Operations Support: FC Moves, Engineering Department Resources: $$
Will require additional or reallocation of staff resources. Timeline: Near-term: 2023-2025
Implementation Notes:
• One full-time employee in Traffic Operations dedicated to Vision Zero and the equivalent of a full-time employee across multiple departments to coordinate the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Vision Zero Action Plan.
• Grant funding could be sought for initial funding to establish program and staff.
• Dedicated staff should further develop the details of the Transformative and Supporting Actions and pursue implementation funding. Progress Metrics: 1. Programs, projects, and policies reviewed to incorporate Vision Zero safety approach 2. Number of equivalent full-time employees dedicated to Vision Zero TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION 9 Perform annual analysis, before & after studies, and documentation on Vision Zero progress to celebrate successes and identify areas for improvement Key Implementer(s): Traffic Operations Support: FC Moves, Engineering Department Resources: $
Will require additional or reallocation of staff resources. Timeline: Ongoing
Implementation Notes:
• Collect data on conditions before countermeasures are implemented or deployed to compare to after conditions.
• Track projects and the implementation of countermeasures by developing a spatial database.
• Use this information to engage the community, local influencers, and media.
Progress Metrics: 1. Number of before and after studies completed 2. Number of projects and types of countermeasures implemented 3. Number of community engagements and media stories
Increase Data Transparency and Partnerships
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Center Equity: A Vision Zero initiative is successful when everyone is safe using Fort Collins’ streets. An equitable Vision Zero process helps ensure improvement projects and programs reduce harm without increasing the burden on historically underserved communities. TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION 10 Prioritize HIN projects and routine maintenance in historically underserved communities identified using Larimer County's Health Equity Index to create self-enforcing roadways and reduce reliance on in-person traffic enforcement Key Implementer(s): Traffic Operations Support: FC Moves, Equity & Inclusion, Streets Department, Parks Department Resources: $
Will require additional or reallocation of staff resources. Timeline: Near-term: 2023-2025
Implementation Notes: • Use data to equitably direct funding and resources to eliminate crash disparities.
• Increase maintenance staff dedicated to supporting the installation and maintenance of crosswalks, protected bike lanes, quick-build projects, and other safety improvements.
Progress Metrics: 1. Percent of a two-year budget cycle of safety projects completed that benefit communities with a high Health Equity Index 2. Number of maintenance staff supporting safety improvements TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION 11 Neighborhood/Community grants to fund infrastructure projects with community involvement and engage historically underserved communities Key Implementer(s): FC Moves Support: Finance Department, Traffic Operations, Engineering Department Resources: $
Will require additional or reallocation of staff resources. Timeline: Near-term: 2023-2025 Implementation Notes: • Seek partnerships with community organizations to reach different groups Progress Metrics: 1. Number of people engaged 2. Number of people from historically underserved communities engaged
Center Equity
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Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 30
Supporting Actions Complementing transformative actions are the supporting actions. While less impactful than the transformative actions, supporting actions will help reinforce the Safe System Approach and are vital to incrementally achieving Vision Zero over time. While some supporting actions may require additional funds, some do not require funding beyond what would be required for existing plans and programs, staff time, or a small amount of additional funding.
Supporting Action Description Key Implementer(s) (lead in bold) 1 Support Mode Shift
1.1 Continue fare-less transit services through Transfort and
implement the Transit Master Plan Transfort
1.2 Prioritize trail investments to promote trails for
transportation
Park Planning & Development, Parks Department, Light & Power, Natural Areas, Traffic Operations
1.3 Evaluate night-time transit hours and transit stop
amenities Transfort, FC Moves
2 Prioritize Safer Speeds and Multimodal Places
2.1 Implement geometric intersection treatments with proven
safety benefits Engineering Department, Traffic Operations
2.2 Implement signal and/or operational modifications that
are proven to reduce severe crashes Traffic Operations
2.3 Evaluate all bus stop locations for the installation of
pedestrian crossings
Transfort, Traffic Operations, Engineering Department, FC Moves 3 Promote a Culture of Traffic Safety
3.1 Work with a broad range of agencies and organizations to
promote traffic safety, such as CSU, school resource
officers, mental health organizations
FC Moves, Police Services
3.2 Work with the media to more accurately report traffic
crashes and avoid victim-blaming
Communications & Public Involvement
Office, FC Moves, Police Services
3.3 Pair roadway design changes with communication on why
changes are needed, and include branded Vision Zero
signage during project construction
FC Moves, Communications & Public Involvement Office, Engineering Department, Traffic Operations
3.4 Engage City staff in trainings and facilitated conversations
to better understand Vision Zero goals, and roadblocks and
opportunities for successful implementation
FC Moves, Traffic Operations, Police Services, Engineering Department, Streets Department, Transfort, Community Development & Neighborhood Services, Communication & Public Involvement Office, Poudre Fire Authority
Page 49
Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 31
3.5 Support the establishment of a victims’ advocacy
organization such as a local chapter of Families for Safe
Streets
FC Moves, Bike Fort Collins
3.6 Incorporate safety features in City fleet vehicles and
expand safe driver training and awareness among people
who drive City fleet vehicles FC Moves, Human Resources Department
3.7 Fully staff the Traffic Enforcement Unit Police Services 4 Increase Data Transparency and Partnerships
4.1 Expand current group of safety stakeholders into an
interdisciplinary Vision Zero Task Force and continue
regular meetings to review data and ongoing traffic safety
performance and determine strategies for improvement
Traffic Operations, Police Services, FC Moves
4.2 Work with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)
and Larimer County to provide more timely statewide or
region-wide crash data
Traffic Operations, Police Services, FC Moves, North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization, CDOT, Larimer County
4.3 Convene rapid response meetings after all severe crashes,
investigate how roadway design contributed to the
crashes, and implement near-term safety improvements as
appropriate to subject location and locations with similar
characteristics
Traffic Operations, Police Services, Engineering Department, FC Moves
4.4 Partner with medical and substance abuse organizations to
share data and strategies
Social Sustainability, Police Services, Traffic Operations
4.5 Provide a dashboard with accessible data about traffic
fatalities and serious injury crashes on the City’s website
and incorporate data and trends into the annual safety
report
Police Services, Traffic Operations, Information Technology
4.6 Advocate for policies regulating automated vehicles that
advance Vision Zero safety goals City Manager's Office 5 Center Equity
5.1 Pilot a diversion program with education to encourage safe
behaviors over more punitive measures such as fines Police Services, FC Moves
5.2 Engage youth to raise awareness of Vision Zero and solicit
their input on programs and street design projects FC Moves
5.3 Expand use of automated traffic enforcement (speed, red-
light cameras) in place of in-person traffic enforcement
and deploy throughout the HIN; any revenues received
from fines should be used to improve traffic safety.
Police Services, Traffic Operations, FC Moves
Page 50
Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 32
Countermeasures Safety Countermeasures include street design treatments that address the top six severe crash types in Fort Collins. The majority of these countermeasures are included in the Federal Highway Administration Proven Safety Countermeasures Initiative and the Crash Modification Factor Clearing House (www.cmfclearinghouse.org). The crash modification factor (CMF) is used to compute the number of crashes expected after implementing a given countermeasure at a specific site. The CMF can help the City prioritize which countermeasures to prioritize for implementation. The table below alphabetically summarizes safety countermeasures that could help reduce the number of crashes in the top six severe crash types that occur in Fort Collins.
Safety Countermeasure Description
Crash Type Bicycle Pedestrian Approach Turn Rear End Right Angle Fixed Object Backplates with
Retroreflective
Borders
Backplates added to a traffic signal head improve the visibility of the illuminated face of the signal by introducing a controlled-contrast background and by framing it with a 1- to 3-inch yellow retroreflective border. Signal heads that have backplates equipped with retroreflective borders are more visible in both daytime and nighttime conditions. X X
Bicycle Lanes
Providing bicycle facilities can mitigate or prevent interactions, conflicts, and crashes between bicyclists and motor vehicles, and create a network of safer roadways for bicycling. Dedicated facilities for the use of bicyclists along the roadway can take several forms, including separated bicycle lanes via curb, flex posts, or bollards. X
Bikeways at
Intersections
The approaches to intersections should maintain continuity of bicycle facilities to the maximum extent possible and should allow visibility of all users, and separation of vulnerable roadway users. Continue the bike lane up to the intersection and provide bicycle signal detection. Where space is available, protected intersection elements should be installed to minimize conflicts. Where there are high volumes of turning movements by bicyclists, two-stage turn boxes can be installed.
X X X
Chicanes and
Pinch Points
Chicanes slow traffic by creating a serpentine travel path by alternating street features from one side of the street to the other. Curb extensions, on-street parking, or temporary materials such as planters and rubber speed bumps may be used to produce a chicane. X X X X X
Corner Islands
and Turn
Wedges
A corner island is a raised area inside an intersection that decreases the corner radius and slows left or right turning movements for motor vehicles. These designs are typically constructed using concrete curbing. Turn wedges, on the other hand, can be constructed with low-cost materials such as paint, flex posts, and rubber speed cushions. X X X X
Corridor Access
Management
Access management refers to the design, application, and control of entry and exit points along a roadway. This includes intersections with other roads and driveways that serve adjacent properties. Thoughtful access management can simultaneously enhance safety for all modes, facilitate walking and biking, and reduce trip delay and congestion. X X X X X
Page 51
Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 33
Safety Countermeasure Description
Crash Type Bicycle Pedestrian Approach Turn Rear End Right Angle Fixed Object Crosswalk
Lighting and
Daylighting
Crosswalk lighting should illuminate with positive contrast to make it easier for a driver to visually identify pedestrians. This involves carefully placing the luminaires in forward locations to avoid a silhouette effect of the pedestrian. "Daylighting" restricts street parking in advance of intersections and crosswalk approaches to clear sight lines. X X X X
Curb Extensions
Extending the curb beyond the sidewalk or buffer edge shortens crosswalk length and increases visibility of people walking and rolling, particularly where there is on-street parking. Curb extensions are also effective tools for narrowing streets or tightening intersections to reduce motor vehicle turning speeds. X X X
Hardened
Centerlines
Hardened centerlines include vertical elements such as mountable curb or flex posts that force turning drivers to slow down when turning left. They can reduce motorist-pedestrian conflicts and reduce the speed of left-turning vehicles. X X X
Leading
Pedestrian
Interval
A leading pedestrian interval gives pedestrians the opportunity to enter the crosswalk at an intersection 3-7 seconds before vehicles are given a green indication. Pedestrians can better establish their presence in the crosswalk before vehicles begin turning right or left. Bicyclists may also use leading pedestrian intervals instead of waiting to move with vehicle traffic, which improves cyclist safety and mobility. X X
Medians
Median barriers are longitudinal barriers that separate opposing traffic and can be designed to redirect vehicles striking either side of the barrier. Median barriers significantly reduce the number of cross-median crashes, and provide a refuge for pedestrians crossing. Accessible median refuges require a cut-through and tactile warning surfaces to accommodate people with disabilities.
X X X
No Turn on Red
Restrictions
“No Turn on Red” signs are used to restrict motor vehicles from turning at signalized intersections during the red phase. Prohibiting turns on red helps prevent crashes where vehicles turning right on red collide with through vehicles on the cross street or with people walking. These should be considered at school crossings, intersections with high pedestrian volumes, skewed intersections, or intersections with inadequate sight distances.
X X X X
Pedestrian
Hybrid Beacon
The pedestrian hybrid beacon is a traffic control device designed to help pedestrians safely cross higher-speed roadways at midblock crossings and uncontrolled intersections. The beacon head consists of two red lenses above a single yellow lens. The lenses remain ”dark“ until a pedestrian desiring to cross the street activates the beacon. X X
Pedestrian Recall
Signal Timing
Signals can be put in “recall” all the time or for key time periods of the day such as peak business hours or school drop-off /pick-up times. The “walk” signal would be displayed every signal cycle without prompting by a pedestrian push button. X
Page 52
Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 34
Safety Countermeasure Description
Crash Type Bicycle Pedestrian Approach Turn Rear End Right Angle Fixed Object Pedestrian
Refuge Island
A pedestrian refuge island (or crossing area) is a median with a refuge area that is intended to help protect pedestrians who are crossing a road. X X
Protected Turn
Phase
Protected turns provide an exclusive phase for left- or right-turning vehicles to enter an intersection separate from conflicting vehicle or pedestrian movements. X X X
Raised Crossings
and Intersections
Raised crossings and intersections are used to slow traffic and reduce conflicts between motorists and people walking, rolling, and biking on or across the street. These crossings are elevated to reduce or eliminate the vertical transition between the sidewalk and the street. X X
Road Diet
Roadway
Reconfiguration
A Road Diet typically involves converting an existing four-lane undivided roadway to a three-lane roadway consisting of two through lanes and a center two-way left-turn lane, reducing lane widths, and addition of bicycle lanes and/or sidewalks. X X X X X X
Lane Narrowing
On roadways with speeding/speeding issues, where vehicle lane widths are greater than the recommended minimums, narrowing lane widths can help control speeding, shorten crossing distances, and improve safety for all users. Narrowing lanes can also create space to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian facilities. X X X X X
Roundabouts
Roundabouts feature channelized, curved approaches that reduce vehicle speed, entry yield control that gives right-of-way to circulating traffic, and counterclockwise flow around a central island that minimizes conflict points. While roundabouts can reduce motorist speeds, which increases comfort and safety for people walking or bicycling, they can also increase crossing distances. Multilane roundabouts and roundabouts with slip lanes should be avoided. For high-traffic volume roundabouts, bicyclists should be provided a separate cycle track.
X X X
Speed Safety
Cameras
Speed safety cameras are an effective and reliable technology to supplement more traditional methods of enforcement, engineering measures, and education to reduce motorist speeding. Speed safety cameras use measurement devices to detect speeding and capture photographic or video evidence of vehicles that are violating a set speed threshold. State law restricts the use of speed cameras in Colorado. X X X X X
Traffic Signal
Timing
Signals timed to a target limit can encourage motorists to drive at slower speeds because the signals are timed to maintain traffic flow. X X X X X X
Page 53
Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 35
Implementation Implementing this Action Plan to achieve Vision Zero in Fort Collins will require a mechanism to prioritize roadway safety investments, funding to implement Vision Zero strategies, and regular evaluation and monitoring of progress.
Prioritization A prioritization framework is needed as a decision-making guide to select where to first apply the limited resources available for implementing Vision Zero strategies and roadway safety countermeasures. The graphic summarizes the process that the City will take to prioritize roadway safety countermeasures. Through these prioritization stages, the City will identify the top locations along the HIN and crash types to address via proven countermeasures. Equity will be a focus by first prioritizing locations along the HIN in areas with Health Equity Index greater than 60.
A bicycle roundabout created at CSU with rubber curbing and flexible bollards is an example of an innovative treatment using low-cost
materials that are easily adjusted. Source: CSU.
Page 54
Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 36
Funding Effective use of limited funding is a crucial requirement to implement the Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan. While some action items in the Plan may require additional funds, some do not require funding beyond what would be required for existing plans and programs, staff time, or a small amount of additional funding. For the action items that require additional funding, potential funding sources and strategies are outlined below, including leveraging new federal programs and grants to fund roadway safety projects. The Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan positions the City to prioritize its needs for roadway safety and seek funding from these sources. One strategy to fund action items in this Action Plan is to create a dedicated and permanent program that funds new staff positions to coordinate the implementation of the Plan and fund large capital roadway investments. Dedicated Vision Zero staff should determine cost estimates (high level or detailed) and identify funding for actions in the Plan. In addition to the establishment of a dedicated funding program for Vision Zero, safety should be prioritized and embedded as the topmost need in already established local funding sources and programs. The reprioritization of funding in existing local sources and new federal funding streams that prioritize safety will support the success of the Plan. The Plan and local investments will be important for increasing Fort Collin’s competitiveness to leverage this funding. The table below summarizes funding sources from local, state, federal, and non-traditional resources.
Page 55
Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 37
Funding Source
Local Funding Decision-making for use of local funding sources should put Vision Zero and roadway safety as top transportation factors.
Budgeting for Outcomes: The City’s budgeting process, Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO), is designed to prioritize community goals, organized around seven Key Outcome Areas. Community Capital Improvement Program: A voter-approved quarter-cent sales tax renewal that includes dedicated funding for arterial intersection reconstruction, bicycle infrastructure expansion, and other multimodal improvements. Street Maintenance Program (SMP): The SMP has successfully implemented multimodal projects through regular maintenance and resurfacing projects, including striping bicycle lanes, repairing sidewalks and curbs, and reconstructing curb ramps for ADA compliance. Projects that can be implemented through regular operations and maintenance (e.g., lane diets and small concrete construction) may be good candidates to program via SMP.
State Funding Funding programs primarily administered by CDOT.
FASTER Transit Grants: These grants can be used to improve transit services, the rider experience, and for pedestrian and bicycle amenities or connections that support transit projects. These grants are administered by CDOT regional offices. FASTER Safety Program: To support construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of projects to enhance the safety of a state highway, county road, or city street. This program is administered by CDOT. Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP): The goal of this program is to achieve a significant reduction in severe crashes on all public roads. This is a federal program with a state allocation administered by CDOT. Revitalizing Main Streets: These grants can be used for safety and economic revitalization projects of state-owned roadways with dense commercial activities. This program is administered by CDOT.
Multimodal Transportation and Mitigation Options Fund (MMOF): The goal of this program is a complete and integrated multimodal transportation system. This is a state program with allocation administered by the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Federal Funding
Programs administered by different federal administrations.
Capital Investment Grant (CIG): This funding can be used for transit capital investments, including heavy rail, commuter rail, light rail, streetcars, and bus rapid transit. These grant funds can be used to improve active modes access to transit stations. This grant is administered by the Federal Transit Administration. Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program: This program funds projects that preserve and improve the conditions and performance on any Federal-aid highway, bridge and tunnel projects on any public road, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and transit capital projects, including intercity bus terminals. In Larimer County, these funds are provided to CDOT and distributed through NFRMPO. Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP): TAP provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to transit and enhanced mobility, community improvement activities, and environmental mitigation; recreational trail program projects; and projects for planning, designing, or constructing boulevards and other roadways. In Larimer County, these funds are provided to CDOT and distributed through NFRMPO.
Page 56
Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 38
Funding Source Discretionary Grants: The US Department of Transportation administers several discretionary programs to fund local projects, such as the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A), RAISE and INFRA grant programs.
Partnerships and
Non-traditional
Sources
Colorado State University Campus Projects: The university funds capital construction and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, and trails on campus, which includes many active modes routes. Development Review: Private developers provide both direct infrastructure investments and fees that support management of streets and right of way during the development review process. Larimer County Capital Improvement Plan: For projects falling outside City Limits but within the Growth Management Area, the City may partner with Larimer County to include projects in the County’s five-year Capital Plan. Non-traditional Partnerships: There are other opportunities to seek funding for Vision Zero and roadway safety such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Active People, Healthy Nation program; and philanthropic organizations.
Page 57
Item 2.
Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan DRAFT 39
Evaluation The Fort Collins Vision Zero Action Plan is focused on one key performance metric: reducing serious traffic injuries and deaths to zero by 2032. While this makes the success of Vision Zero fairly easy to measure, it is critically important for the City to continually evaluate the impact of various Vision Zero strategies over time, so that they can be refined, revised, and targeted for better outcomes. The City will develop and publish a biannual report to summarize progress on Vision Zero activities. This report will draw on or amend the City’s established Annual Roadway Safety Report to focus on trends in severe crashes, and report on the progress made towards each strategy based on the implementation progress metrics. As part of the effort to implement this Action Plan, City staff will develop an evaluation framework to assess progress on Vision Zero and strive toward a balance of accountability and flexibility. The evaluation framework will be a guide to City staff to allow consistent and objective tracking of safety and safety-related actions within the City. The framework will include progress metrics such as:
• Metrics to track severe crashes
• Metrics to track street design projects to improve roadway safety
• Metrics to track the implementation of actions in the Plan Vision Zero IS possible. Other nations and other cities have much lower rates of traffic injuries and fatalities overall, per capita, and per mile driven. Some have achieved zero and some are making progress. Any reduction in traffic deaths is a life saved; any reduction in traffic injuries is a person who walks away from a crash. With sufficient commitment, not just of resources, but commitment to a different way of approaching traffic safety, Fort Collins can achieve Vision Zero.
Page 58
Item 2.
Topic Comment Response
Bike Safety
Can include getting rid of sharrows as part of the Vision Zero Plan? Sharrows have been
shown to provide zero benefits to improve bike safety and may be even more dangerous
than doing nothing: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-05/study-
sharrows-might-be-more-dangerous-to-cyclists-than-having-no-bike-infrastructure
Based on guidance from the National
Association of City Transportation
Officials, shared lanes can be an
appropriate bicycle facility for all ages
and abilities of cyclists on roadways
with posted speed limits of 25 mph or
less, < 1,500 vehicles per day, and < 50
motor vehicles in the peak direction at
the peak hour. Sharrows, or shared lane
markings, can reinforce the legitimacy
of bicycle traffic on the
street, recommend proper bicyclist
positioning, and may be configured to
offer directional and wayfinding
guidance.
https://nacto.org/wp-
content/uploads/2017/12/NACTO_Desi
gning-for-All-Ages-Abilities.pdf;
https://nacto.org/publication/urban-
bikeway-design-guide/bikeway-signing-
marking/shared-lane-markings/
PUBLIC FEEDBACK RECEIVED ON DRAFT PLAN DECEMBER 6, 2022 -
JANUARY 13, 2023
1Page 59
Item 2.
Topic Comment Response
Bike Safety
Thank you SO much for the thought and effort you've put into this plan. I've extensively biked the
streets of Seattle, Denver, and now Fort Collins over the last 17 years. By far, the Fort Collins system
is the most thoughtful, most humane, most extensive (for its size) system I've ridden. In fact, having
been inspired by the care and thought put into the system here -- and understanding how far a city
can go to make its biking citizens safe -- I wrote an op-ed piece on safe biking passageways for
Seattle, which the Seattle Times published on 12/24/16 (https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/lets-
make-every-day-bicycle-sunday-in-the-heart-of-seattle/), which was promptly ignored by city
planners and the local biking group, Cascade Bicycle Club. You've hit so many important points in
the Vision Zero Action Plan, but no city has come up with a coherent system of passageways that
would extend throughout the city -- only free-floating fragments that one travels at one's peril. Fort
Collins has come closest to the ideal, but if you're looking to increase biking ridership, you can't
simply hope tentative riders will ignore the load, exhaust-spewing cars and trucks passing their bike
lanes, whether protected or marked with a mere line of paint. Riders need to be separated as far as
possible from large motorized vehicles, using quieter streets designated as "bike- and pedestrian-
only" that can nevertheless be accessed by such large vehicles--but those vehicles would be limited
to traveling only two city blocks, then required to exit. This is what Denver succeeded in doing
following the pandemic for a few short months--on, for example 11th Avenue and and 16th Avenue,
all the way to downtown from the east side. Then, failing to enforce the two-block limit, which then
allowed motorists to abuse the law, the city quietly abandoned the plan. Fort Collins has the
backing, the leadership, and the manageable size to effect such a relatively inexpensive, low-impact
switch to such a system of safe passageways. I hope you'll seriously consider this overall plan. I've
been riding for more than 65 years now and have yet to see any such system--in this age of perilous
climate change--even considered, let alone carried out successfully. But THANK YOU for your efforts
so far. I hope you'll consider with an open mind, not with a defensive crouch like the city planners in
both Seattle and Denver did when I approached them with this idea.
The bike network is addressed in the
Active Modes Plan.
Concept Honestly, it needs a new name. Having “zero” as part of it cheapens the idea. It will never
be “zero”, so therefore your plan in a way , will never work. I suggest a new name
Vision Zero branding is nationally
recognized and consistent terminology
across communities.
2Page 60
Item 2.
Topic Comment Response
Concept
Is this not just a fancy way of coming up with a plan to address bad intersections? Fort
Collins needs to stop trying to come up with silly ways to spin things that cities have been
doing for decades
Vision Zero is different than the
traditional approach where traffic flow
is prioritized over safety and
responsibility for severe crashes is
assigned primarily to user error. In
Vision Zero, safety is prioritized over
traffic flow and people who design
roads and set policy, as well as road
users, are held accountable for severe
crashes.
Concept
I'm in the middle of reviewing the draft and I'm a little confused. I'm wondering if my
comments are missing the mark because I've missed something. But my understanding of
Vision Zero is that it should include a goal of zero deaths from traffic incidents, not matter
who is using the road (motorists and non-motorists). But as I read through this, it's all
about vulnerable users (who, I totally get, are most vulnerable since they're not wrapped
in metal). But motorists die and are injured too. Maybe I'm not far enough into the
document yet, but it seems like I should be seeing a more wholistic look at who we're
trying to protect (people. travelers. all travelers.) and I would expect to see the constant
refrain - especially in the goals section - that the goal is to create a system that will be
safer for all users, and that a focus on the most vulnerable will be done with the
expectation that that will lead to better outcomes for all travelers, vulnerable or not. ... If
you're in a motor vehicle and you die in a car crash, then whether you count as
"vulnerable" or not, your death marks you as having been vulnerable.
Language added that safety
improvements for vulnerable road
users will mean that people inside
motor vehicles are also safer.
3Page 61
Item 2.
Topic Comment Response
Concept
I have always had trouble with the concept of eliminating all fatalities and serious injuries
as an objective. I am fully in favor of increased safety for cyclists and pedestrians, but the
vision zero goal seems extreme. If we wanted to eliminate all highway fatalities, it could be
easily done by lowering the speed limit to 20 miles per hour with strict enforcement. Why
don't we do that? The answer is because there is an trade off between cost (and frankly
convenience) and the value of life. What I am really concerned about is that we don't need
to do anything that is intentionally antagonistic given the conflicts that already exist in our
community relative to the support that is already been provided to cyclists. I encourage
the Bicycle Advisory Committee and the City of Fort Collins to rethink the advisability of
committing to vision zero.
Vision Zero prioritizes the value of life
over convenience.
Countermeasures
Leading Pedestrian Interval - says to allow the pedestrian to enter the intersection prior to
allowing vehicles to move. However, shouldn't this interval also allow bicyclists and other
non-motorized vulnerable road users to start crossing as well?
Sentence added to the end of Leading
Pedestrian Interval description
incorporating bikes.
Countermeasures
In the safety countermeasure section it doesn't list traffic signal timing as a way to control
speed. For instance, if the speed limit is 35 MPH, but the signals are timed to 30MPH and
advertised as such, drivers would have less incentive to go faster than 30 MPH because
they'd know they would be stopped at the next light.
Traffic Signal Timing added as a
countermeasure.
Crash
Investigation
I would suggest that after each traffic injury or fatality that the police are not the only
ones involved in the investigation. Since research shows that street design is the main
culprit for traffic accidents, the traffic department should be required to investigate how
the design of an intersection, light timing, land width, etc. contributed to the accident and
make recommendations for improvements.
Language added to Supporting Action
4.3.
Crash Type
Graphic
Vehicle hits pedestrian
(Graphic depicts only one type of bicycle-related crash)
However, this is for pedestrian/motor-vehicle crashes and thus should be depicting one
type of pedestrian related crash instead of directly copying from the 2nd circle's caption.
Graphic has been updated.
4Page 62
Item 2.
Topic Comment Response
Data
I love Fort Collin’s bike infrastructure; however, I have had many near-misses while biking
to work. Three separate near-death events are burned into my memory. Each time I was in
a bike lane by cars going well-over 30 mph. I don’t know if I would have died, but I would
love a way to report near-misses. It looks like the current data-gathering parts of the plan
focus on crashes, injuries, and deaths. Wouldn’t it be great to collect near-misses and
other user-reported suggestions for safety improvements? We might be able to prevent
injuries and deaths before they happen.
The North Front Range Metropolitan
Planning Organization Bike & Ped Safety
Reporter Tool is designed to collect this
information.
Definitions
Serious injury is very subjective and never is defined. The plan seems to focus on active
modes of transit? What about those who will never Shift from vehicles to active modes?
Where is the focus on driver behavior change that will be important to achieve these
goals? Document does not appear to be available in languages other than English, which
alienates those who do not speak/read English.
Language with definition of serious
injury added.
Fort Collins needs layers of crash
prevention beyond enforcement and
education so that driver errors do not
result in deaths and serious injuries.
That is why the strategies in this plan
focus on infrastructure and policy more
than education and enforcement.
The Executive Summary of the Action
Plan will be translated to Spanish. The
document is currently only available in
English; a translation can be provided
by request.
5Page 63
Item 2.
Topic Comment Response
Definitions
What is the national definition for serious injuries? The US DOT defines a serious injury
using the MMUCC 4th Edition “Suspected Serious Injury (A)” attribute found in the “injury
status” data element. A suspected serious injury is defined in the MMUCC 4th Edition as
any injury other than fatal that results in one or more of the following: The National
Definition For Serious In • Severe laceration resulting in exposure of underlying
tissues/muscle/organs or resulting in significant loss of blood • Broken or distorted
extremity (arm or leg) • Crush injuries • Suspected skull, chest, or abdominal injury other
than bruises or minor lacerations • Significant burns (second and third degree burns over
10% or more of the body) • Unconsciousness when taken from the crash scene • Paralysis
Language with definition added.
Enforcement
As a Fort Collins resident who regularly bikes, walks, and takes transit, I appreciate the
City's approach to reaching Vision Zero. I just wanted to add that I often see drivers failing
to yield to pedestrians, and I do not believe there is enough enforcement currently to
incentivize drivers to stop this behavior. I agree with the plans' sentiment to reduce in-
person enforcement, but I hope that this goes beyond speed enforcement and includes
failing to yield to pedestrians, reckless driving, and curbing texting/using a phone while
driving.
Enforcement is one layer and has
historically been the primary layer of
crash prevention. Fort Collins has
robust enforcement for crash
prevention, but needs additional layers
of crash prevention so that driver errors
do not result in deaths and serious
injuries. That is why the strategies in
this plan focus on infrastructure and
policy. In response to comments on the
need for more enforcement, we added
a Supporting Action.
Enforcement
Hold drivers accountable for their actions! Fort Collins has a massive problem with unsafe
driving. There is little to no enforcement of traffic violations. Until there are steeper
consequences for drivers there will be little to no change.
Steeper consequences for driver error
is consistent with Vision Zero. This
Action Plan focused on bolstering layers
other than enforcement, which is
currently Fort Collins' strongest layer of
crash prevention.
6Page 64
Item 2.
Topic Comment Response
Enforcement
I applaud this plan's focus on encouraging positive behaviors over punishing or penalizing
detrimental ones. However, I'm also concerned that the plan assumes an unrealistic level
of cooperation and compliance from Fort Collins drivers. I walk to and from work most
weekdays north of the main CSU campus, crossing several high-injury intersections.
Multiple times each week, I witness drivers running red lights, ignoring stop signs, turning
without looking where they're going, and accelerating into intersections before a
pedestrian or cyclist has finished crossing. Without active, defensive walking on my part, I
would almost certainly have already been hit on two occasions: once by a vehicle running
a red light on Mulberry, and once by a vehicle ignoring a four-way stop on Laporte. I have
little faith that installing better bike lanes and cross-walks will do anything to change
motorist behavior in Fort Collins (the worst I've seen, having lived in many cities in several
countries) without accompanying enforcement measures that reinforce that these
measures must be taken seriously. I'm opposed to increasing police presence or power in
town, but from what I've observed over the past 3.5 years of living here, lax traffic
enforcement (no doubt helped by police who themselves sometimes speed and push the
boundaries of red lights!) contributes to motorists who believe that they don't have to
take other people's safety seriously.
The list of countermeasures describes
measures beyond bike lanes and
crosswalks that discourage driver errors
and prevent driver errors from
becoming severe crashes.
Enforcement
Many of the proposed actions seem like engineering/infrastructure solutions. I bicycle a
lot in and around Ft. Collins and I constantly see distracted drivers -- mainly those talking
or texting on their devices while driving. I'd say 1 in 10 or 1 in 20 drivers is engaged with
their phone while driving. Could Ft. Collins adopt a traffic regulation to require hands free
driving? I've seen it implemented elsewhere (Virginia, for example).
Texting and driving is illegal for all
drivers in Colorado. A ban on using
handheld devices while driving is
consistent with Vision Zero and could
be considered. It would require
additional enforcement, and this Action
Plan focused on additional
infrastructure and changes to policy
while continuing existing enforcement.
7Page 65
Item 2.
Topic Comment Response
Enforcement
I am also not a fan of increasing red light cameras/automated enforcement. I think it's an
expensive way to treat a symptom of a problem, not the cause. Aside from that, I am
extremely pleased to see the Vision Zero Plan as well as the Active Modes Plan, I think
they are excellent.
Automated enforcement is not
expensive to the City because it
generates revenue that is used for
traffic calming and equipment to help
with traffic enforcement.
Enforcement
I think this is great, but leaves a big hole that was not discussed. Police patrol presence in
the City and especially the North East corner of the city basically does not exist. I can tell
you in the last few months, I have only seen only a handful or police patrol cars and most
were on their way to a call. I would love to see the radar Jeep that is usually on Confer,
Shields, or Willox be utilized in the residential streets. More speed limit radar signs in
locations that have speeding issues. If these streets can be designed for the speed
intended, you should not see the need to change things later on.
Enforcement is one layer and has
historically been the primary layer of
crash prevention. Fort Collins already
uses enforcement for crash prevention,
but needs additional layers of crash
prevention so that driver errors do not
result in deaths and serious injuries.
That is why the strategies in this plan
focus on infrastructure and policy more
than education and enforcement.
Supporting Action 5.3 does address
enforcement and proposes expanding
automated enforcement. Colorado
state law limits where radar jeeps can
be used to enforce traffic speeds.
8Page 66
Item 2.
Topic Comment Response
Enforcement
I like the proposal to put a traffic camera at every intersection as they have been shown to
reduce folks running red lights. The public will hate them with the fire of 10,000 dying
suns, so I would make sure that funds from these fines be strictly dedicated to safer street
capital infrastructure and not any city operating budget.
Supporting Action 5.3 proposes
expanding the use of automated
enforcement on the High Injury
Network, but not necessarily at every
intersection. A note about how revenue
should be used was added. Information
on the current red light/speed cameras
was added to existing conditions; the
revenue currently is fed into traffic
calming and enforcement.
HEI Map
The legend only gives numbers associated with each color/shade. But those HEI numbers
are not defined and thus are meaningless to most readers of the document. For example,
my neighborhood looks like it is rated from 20 to 40 - but is that good or bad or ?????
An additional description has been
inserted on the map.
HIN Map It would be interesting to see how it correlates with data from the MPO reporting for close
calls.
The data the North Front Range
Metropolitan Planning Organization has
been collecting through the Bike & Ped
Safety Reporter tool is limited so far but
is one source of data that may be
included in future analyses.
Mode shift
Reducing the number of cars on the road should be a priority. Why does the city continue
to enforce a right-to-park anywhere by requiring a minimum amount of parking spaces for
new development? If people had to pay to park, then some of them would choose to bike
or take transit instead. Other cities are getting rid of parking minimums and we should
too.
Transformative Action 3 addresses this
through the Shift Your Ride program.
Other
Hi! I have had a chance to review these at a high level and am really pleased to see these
as a priority for the city of Fort Collins! This is all part of us choosing this town as our new
home.. My wife and I live in the Old Town North area and love that we can get to most of
our destinations by bike or walking and use our motor vehicles very sparingly.. I was born
and raised in Holland, so I know what this can do to general quality of life.
Thank you!
9Page 67
Item 2.
Topic Comment Response
Policy
Once upon a time, I asked the traffic department if they would repaint a crosswalk near
my kids’ school and they said “We are letting the crosswalk fade and will not be putting it
back in as it is not considered a warranted crosswalk.” I didn’t understand the reasoning
and replied “please explain”. Traffic staff then sent me a pedestrian study. In reviewing the
study it seemed to me that there should indeed be a crosswalk there. When I pointed out
these principles in the pedestrian plan, I was given the excuse that there wasn’t enough
budget. Anyway, what are the enforcement mechanisms and “teeth” behind this plan? Are
we changing the land use code? Are we updating traffic design standards? Is anything
changing about the budgeting process to expand the amount of funding for pedestrian and
bike infrastructure? We need to change the culture around traffic and prioritize safety
over the dreaded LOS.
With the Active Modes Plan and the
Vision Zero Action Plan, pedestrian
facilities will be prioritized.
The Plan's "teeth" is addressed in
Transformative Action #7. The plan
itself does not directly change policy or
ordinances or affect budgeting, but
implementing the actions will involve
these.
We agree that we need a culture of
traffic safety. Vision Zero prioritizes
safety over traffic flow.
Policy
Looking great. I would recommend including some more specific language that identifies
the MUTCD. I see a mention of "Manual" but that's it. Related to this, I would encourage
that known issues with safety, use conflicts, etc. on streets which have been historically
identified but ultimately noted as "no action possible" due to the constraints of the
MUTCD be addressed swiftly as soon as this is adopted. E. Elizabeth Street and the speeds
posted/observed, and the resultant safety issues, are a perfect example. Staff indicated
there was nothing they could do as a result of the manual which puts all users, and
specifically non-motor-vehicle users at risk. I would like to see this changed swiftly once
implemented so the risk can be reduced without delay. Please have a list of areas currently
constrained by the manual dependency and ensure the plan indicates to address as
immediately as feasible. Thank you!
The MUTCD is mentioned in
Transformative Action 6. Creating this
list was beyond the scope of this plan
and is part of Action 6.
10Page 68
Item 2.
Topic Comment Response
Policy
I like the mention of road diets in the plan, but the language is weak about whether they
will be required. The city’s current design standards require 11 and 12 foot wide lanes.
Studies show that thinner lanes are much safer.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-10-06/why-12-foot-traffic-lanes-are-
disastrous-for-safety-and-must-be-replaced-now
Will the City of Fort Collins be changing its travel lane design and building standards to
have a maximum of 9- and 10-foot-wide lanes?
Transformative Action 6 includes a
review of policies that are roadblocks to
Vision Zero. These design standards will
be scrutinized during this initial review.
Schools
I’m surprised by the lack of School related measures mentioned in the plan. I believe FTC
still has a safe routes to school program and I would have liked to see more about how
that is being integrated into this broader plan. I have 3 children who can walk/bike to
school but have numerous crossings at dangerous (high speed roundabout - Trilby/Ziegler)
and/or uncontrolled intersections.
The High Injury Network was developed
by analyzing the history of severe
crashes. Sections of the HIN that are in
school zones may be eligible for Safe
Routes to School funding or more
competitive for other funding streams,
and therefore may be addressed sooner
than other sections.
Speed governors
The city should lead the way in safe driving. There is new technology that can
automatically limit the speed of vehicles to be within the posted speed limit. There is no
reason that these smart-speed governors shouldn’t be in all city vehicles.
https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2022/08/11/nyc-municipal-fleet-anti-
speeding-technology
Supporting Action 3.6 added.
11Page 69
Item 2.
Topic Comment Response
Strategies
Need more areas that are 15 minute cities. Harmony and south is HORRIBLE for alternative
transportation. The HIN should either have protected bike lanes or remove bike lanes and
point people to side streets. Make it less desirable to own cars by narrowing side streets
and removing on street parking. Improve Transfort by following the time schedules posted
at stops. A bike only street, like Remington (n-s) and a e-w street. Double all suggestions in
areas south of Harmony.
Actions in the Vision Zero Action Plan
include implementation of the Active
Modes Plan (recently adopted), the
Transportation Demand Management
Plan (in development), and the Transit
Master Plan. The City recently
completed a 15-Minute City Analysis
with recommendations, such as land
use changes.
Strategies
You need to add a crosswalk with on-demand red stoplight or at least a flashing yellow
light at Ziegler & Environmental Drive. Most cars on Ziegler speed, and crossing it is
dangerous. Do NOT wait for pedestrians to die. Also, cops should regularly watch the
crosswalk at Drake & Illinois and ticket the countless criminal motorists who plow through
the flashing yellow light.
The crosswalk policy is one that will be
reviewed as part of Transformative
Action 6.
Strategies
Fantastic stats. Rear-end accidents were highlighted but I didn't see any specific actions
that would address this. I've seen reports that road markings can be used as effective
visual aids to help people keep a safe distance from other vehicles.
Countermeasures on pages 32-34 are
flagged by crash type, including rear-
end.
Strategies
I didn’t have any specific input other than I really hope that improvements will soon come
to the Vine & Jerome intersection to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The
residential neighborhoods are growing north of downtown and there are really few safe
options to travel the north-south corridor. Redwood/Vine is problematic given the train
tracks and busy fourway stop. Also with the Powerhouse II addition this will be extra
important. It would seem that an elevated crosswalk/bike in that intersection with
flashing lights would be appropriate given there is no single north/south pathway. Also, it
seems that we have an imminent issue with e-bikes given the growth and how they are
used. Many seem to look at these as "electric motor cycles" and not pedal assisted
bicycles. They frequently travel at speeds that are not safe for other Active Mode users. I
hope that the city will have steps/regulations to properly manage that. Anyway, I would be
glad to help your cause in anyway I can. Thanks you, Walter & Linda Abercrombie
Currently, crash reports do not
distinguish between e-bikes and
traditional bikes. Actions in Goal 4,
Increase Data Transparency and
Partnerships, will help understand if e-
bikes are overrepresented in severe
crashes compared to other types of
bicycles.
12Page 70
Item 2.
Topic Comment Response
Strategies
I like the early walk sign before the associated traffic light turns green to allow the
pedestrian to clearly get into the intersection. I think the walk signal should be on longer
than currently. It would be good to analyze time of day for the accidents; i.e. sun blinding
or night time issues. Perhaps signs should be put up on high accident rate intersections?
Time of day of crashes is analyzed in
the annual Safety in the City report.
Strategies
The actions look achievable and good to me. The only input I’d add is looping in other
capital construction projects for Vision Zero reviews. Other groups that do capital
construction projects include Utilities, Park Planning & Development, and Operation
Services. We can assist in making sure they are aware of the checklist once it is in place.
Departments suggested added to
Transformative Action 7.
Supporting
Actions
1.2: Trails for transportation is only viable if the trails are direct/straight-lines and not
meandering. People currently use the Spring Creek and Poudre Trails for transportation
because of extreme safety concerns and that they have extra time to devote to
transportation. This will require a mind-shift on the part of natural areas and parks.
The Paved Recreational Trail Master
Plan will be updated soon and we will
share this comment with that effort.
Supporting
Actions
1.3: Shift your ride will only happen when it is easier, quicker, and cheaper for people
to choose a different option. The fraction of people that will willing change before these
three drivers are in place have already made the shift.
This action has been shifted to
Transformative Action 3. The
transportation demand management
plan, which is in development,
addresses this.
Supporting
Actions
4.3: convening a safety meeting after an incident is great - but what is the process that will
be followed to reduce or eliminate the potential of the incident or one like it from
happening again? In industry we use the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) process to ask the
needed questions to understand what happened and get to the root cause so that
potential solutions can be evaluated and the best one selected for implementation.
This process will be determined as part
of implementing Supporting Action 4.3.
13Page 71
Item 2.
Topic Comment Response
Thoughts on
Education
Traffic safety education can quickly fall into victim blaming. No one needs to be educated
that they shouldn’t hit and kill other people. People will drive at speeds that the road is
designed to handle, not the posted speed limits. I honestly don’t understand the “positive
reinforcement” thing. Are the police going to pull us over and thank us for driving safely? If
we leave education as an element in the plan we ought to require testing for campaign
effectiveness (and drop efforts that aren’t showing to make a difference effective).
Education should be deprioritized vs street design. I would hate it to become an excuse if
the death/injuries numbers don’t improve.
Education was included in Supporting
Actions 5.1 and 5.2. 5.1 has been
reworded to clarify that education is
intended as an alternative to more
punitive measures and 5.2 has been
reworded to replace education with
awareness.
Transformative
Actions
Transformative Action 2 lists 3 metrics that all include number of miles.
However, another metric that would be useful would be the number of major
intersections. For example Drake and Lemay intersection falls in the HIN but has bike
lanes and sidewalks already. To make this intersection meet the Vision Zero standard, it
will need to have grade-separated crossings most likely.
Adjustment made to the spot
improvement metric.
Transformative
Actions
None of the Transformative Action items list visual obstruction clearance or maintenance.
For example, when accessing Drake road by traveling south on Brookwood Drive, there is
fencing and vegetation that requires motor-vehicles and bicyclists to be in the west bound
Drake bike lane to see west bound traffic. Since this is just west of the bicycle/pedestrian
crossing light on Drake, it is obvious this is supposed to be part of the bicycle network.
Transformative Action 10 addresses
maintenance of safety improvements.
Transformative
Actions
Transformation Action 7 [now 8]- number of personnel required. I am assuming there are
metrics somewhere to justify needing 2 FTEs for this activity - but it does not come across
in the document as a whole or this section particularly.
Changed to one FTE plus the equivalent
of one FTE across multiple
departments. With experience and
available resources, it may be
determined later that the number of
personnel should be adjusted up or
down.
Transformative
Actions
Transformation Action 10 [now 11] - seems really vague compared to the rest of the
actions. It either needs more detail or to be eliminated.More detail added.
14Page 72
Item 2.
From:Myles Crane
To:Susan Gutowsky; Jeni Arndt; Emily Francis; Tricia Canonico; Kelly Ohlson; Shirley Peel; Julie Pignataro; Kelly
DiMartino; Carrie Daggett; Sarah Kane
Cc:Dave; Alicia Durand; Jeanne Hoag; Alan Kress; Namcy Luttropp; Deanna O’Connell; Gabriella Rivera;
mary@robertsrealtynoco.com; Sarah Olear; Lisa Hays; Cortney Geary; Rachel Ruhlen; Cory Schmitt; Lorye
McLeod
Subject:[EXTERNAL] Re. City Mobility Initiatives - Input for Mayor, Council and City Manager from Senior Advisory Board
Date:Wednesday, December 14, 2022 5:38:00 PM
During the past several months, City staff and associates delivered presentations to SAB for the
initiatives below.
At its monthly meeting today, the Senior Advisory Board unanimously endorsed the following:
1. FC Moves/ 15 Minute City/Active Modes Plan
SAB approves its listing in the full draft Active Modes Plan (AMP)
https://www.fcgov.com/fcmoves/files/draft-active-modes-plan-for-council-review-
10.25.22_web.pdf?1666632452
SAB members are engaged in an advisory capacity
A key concern for SAB is "to identity and close barriers to pedestrian mobility” (AMP - page
54)
Reference to Fort Collins Walkability Audit 2022 * (see below)
2. Vision Zero Action Plan https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:2e04e809-
740f-4845-8cac-ec18f8b9dfdf
Heads up for Council Work Session Feb. 14, 2023
2021 Safety in the City - helpful reference for Council
https://www.fcgov.com/traffic/files/safety-in-the-city.pdf?1663208415
City's Zero Death Proclamation (Dec. 2016) https://www.fcgov.com/traffic/files/moving-towards-
zero-deaths-proclamation.pdf?1670274608
commendable that FC was first municipality to follow the CDOT initiative
SAB approves in concept only the Vision Zero Action Plan - Administrative Draft (12/9/22)
SAB suggests that a BFO cost analysis for each of the Plan’s multidisciplinary strategies be
eventually provided to Council.
3. * Fort Collins Walkability Audit (June 2022) - North Front Range Metropolitan Planning
Organization (NFRMPO) now offers
walkability training for communities throughout Colorado. In Fort Collins, the report reflects the
volunteer work done by
city employees, community members and Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities
coordinated with NFRMPO
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/2cc173482f484f47a8c69e1314ae10da
Among its recommendations:
Installation of pedestrian refuge islands along College, Monroe, and Foothills Parkway.
Installation of high visibility crosswalks at intersections along the corridor.
Page 73
Item 2.
Installing more wayfinding signage throughout the entire district, with a key focus on directing
pedestrians to existing amenities such as the tunnel underneath College Ave.
4. Current Bike Safety and Pedestrian Reporter - useful resource/tool for Council and community
awareness
https://nfrmpo.org/safety/
Respectfully submitted on behalf of Senior Advisory Board by,
Myles
Myles Crane, SAB Chair
Page 74
Item 2.
TRANSPORTATION BOARD
TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR
November 16, 2022, 6:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting Via Zoom
1 1 /1 6 /202 2 – MINUTES Page 1
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Vision Zero Plan – Rachel Ruhlen
Rachel Ruhlen, FC Moves, defined Vision Zero as being zero traffic fatalities and
serious injuries and noted it differs from the more traditional safe systems approach and
emphasizes safety prioritization in policies and designs. She discussed the crash data
analysis which is in the Safety in the City report published annually by Traffic
Operations. She noted vulnerable road users are disproportionately represented in
severe crashes and stated ten percent of the roads in Fort Collins account for forty
percent of all severe crashes.
Ruhlen noted the overarching goal for the Vision Zero Plan is to protect vulnerable road
users. She outlined the proposed strategies to build redundancy into the syst em,
including engineering and mode shift, and requested input on the proposed strategies.
Members commented on the ‘centering equity’ strategies, including related to involving
youth in roadway design. York commented on trainings not being particularly effective
and stated older leaders need to do things properly first.
Dyrdahl commented on using automated enforcement rather than in-person
enforcement. She asked if red light cameras have shown to help with crashes at
intersections. Ruhlen replied she will look into that.
Chair Hart commented on the importance of focusing on underserved communities and
noted automatic traffic enforcement is already occurring and Vision Zero does not need
to implement that.
Gavaldon concurred with prioritizing underserved communities , which he stated should
occur regardless.
Owens asked about the extent of the existing automatic traffic enforcement and
commented on advocacy for more automatic traffic enforcement as a way to reduce in-
person bias in underserved communities. He also commented on a study that showed
automatic traffic enforcement was disproportionately negatively impacting underserved
communities due to infrastructure allowing for increased placement of those devices.
Chair Hart stated it seems anecdotally that red light cameras do little to improve safety.
Ruhlen requested input on the strategies related to increased data transparency and
partnerships.
York stated the only way to get people to buy in to making changes is when data that it
works can be shown.
Page 75
Item 2.
TRANSPORTATION BOARD
TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR
1 1 /1 6 /202 2 – MINUTES Page 2
Gavaldon stated he would like to see data first, then recommendations and direction
followed by after studies to show success or failure. He also stated rapid response
meetings following fatal accidents should be a matter of course and information should
be published.
Ruhlen requested input on the strategies related to promoting a culture of traffic safety.
Chair Hart stated promoting a culture of traffic safety should be how things are done.
Ruhlen requested input on the strategies related to testing solutions without a large time
and cost commitment by using temporary and quick build treatments. She noted this
relates to using things like tape, paint, flexible bollards, and other temporary treatments.
Ruhlen requested input regarding designing for safer speeds and multi-modal places
strategies.
Gavaldon commented on the success of the asphalt art projects in traffic calming and
suggested more of those projects could be beneficial.
Ruhlen requested input on the final category of supporting mode shift.
Chair Hart commented on the importance of engaging City staff in trainings and
facilitated conversations to better understand Vision Zero goals and roadblocks.
Ruhlen outlined next steps for the draft action plan to be presented at a Council work
session in February with adoption in the spring.
Page 76
Item 2.
BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TYPE OF MEETING –REGULAR
November 28, 2022, 6:00 p.m.
Hybrid Meeting – Zoom and 281 North College Avenue, Fort Collins, CO
1 1 /2 8 /202 2 – MINUTES Page 1
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Vision Zero Action Plan – Rachel Ruhlen
Rachel Ruhlen, FC Moves, provided a summary of Vision Zero which aims for no
traffic deaths or serious injuries via a safe systems approach that places
responsibility on individual road users as well as on planners and policy makers
to prioritize safety in designs and policies. She noted speeding is at the heart of
Vision Zero. She also commented on the Safety in the City report which
summarized crash and injury data in the city.
Ruhlen discussed the strategies utilized in the Vision Zero plan noting they are
primarily focused on vulnerable road users. She noted redundancies are built
into the strategies as the only layer of traffic safety currently is enforcement. She
outlined the strategies prioritized by the technical advisory committee.
Dangerfield asked what entities were represented in the technical advisory
committee. Geary replied Bike Fort Collins, Police Services, Safe Kids of Larimer
County, Larimer County, CDOT, UC Health, Traffic Operations, and CSU were
represented.
Ruhlen noted the prioritized strategies could still shift depending on input
received from Boards and Commissions. She shared a Miro board with the
members and outlined the strategies currently identified as being transformative ,
including review and revise standards and policies that are roadblocks to Vision
Zero and include Vision Zero analysis as part of the planning process for all
infrastructure projects.
Allison asked for an example of such a policy. Ruhlen replied there is a
document called the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) that
comes out at the federal level which is full of standards such as the number of
people that must use an intersection before a crosswalk or pedestrian signal is
installed, which is somewhat of a backward way of thinking. She noted that
document is just guidance; however, it tends to be used as if it was the law.
Chair W illiams asked about the current status of the input process. Ruhlen
replied the Transportation Board has already weighed in and stated staff is fairly
confident in the list of strategies and which ones are transformative; however,
staff is still seeking feedback and there is room for additional strategies. She
requested input prior to December 3rd and noted the hope is for plan adoption in
the spring.
Krause suggested it may be worth calling out the MUTCD specifically given it is
Page 77
Item 2.
BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR
1 1 /2 8 /202 2 – MINUTES Page 2
heavily relied upon.
Dixon stated the MUTCD recently went through a revision and updating process
and noted the NoCo Bike and Ped Collaborative submitted feedback. He asked
how often the document is revised and whether signage could be placed in the
Colorado state supplement. Ruhlen replied there was more input received on the
MUTCD revision than ever before and most pointed to its negative impact on
safety. She stated it seems the update is going forward; however, there is
recognition the manual needs to be fully revised. She stated it has been updated
every ten years in the past.
Dixon commented on the MUTCD Colorado supplement which includes things
like motorists must give cyclists three feet of clearance. He noted that item is not
included in the federal document.
Ruhlen discussed the support mode shift goal and associated strategies,
including increased transit frequency.
Chair Williams commented on prioritizing trail investments to promote trails for
transportation as a complement to recreation-focused trails.
Boiarsky commented on prioritizing separation between motorized and non -
motorized vehicles either with physical barriers or much more space. Ruhlen
replied that is somewhat included in the design for safer speeds in multi-modal
places category. She also noted the Active Modes Plan is part of that category.
Krause advocated for the Active Modes Plan to be included in both categories.
Allison asked if advocating for lower speeds is included. Ruhlen noted there is a
category related to designing streets to target speeds. Geary noted the MUTCD
sets out speed limit guidelines; however, many cities have adopted their own
guidelines.
Ruhlen commented on the category related to testing solutions that do not have
large cost or time commitments by using temporary and quick-build treatments
such as paint and flexible bollards that can easily be changed. Peyronnin cited
the example of using a quick solution at Remington and Stuart. Hansen
commented on the use of quicker solutions for projects on campus.
Boiarsky asked if the emphasis is on non-infrastructure changes for this strategy.
Ruhlen replied in the affirmative. Boiarsky suggested changing the language to
read ‘test temporary, inexpensive, non-infrastructure based changes.’ Geary
noted the item does reference infrastructure; however, it is temporary. Chair
Williams suggested showing images of examples and noted having policies
around quicker implementation could be important.
Ruhlen commented on the category related to increased data transparency and
Page 78
Item 2.
BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR
1 1 /2 8 /202 2 – MINUTES Page 3
partnerships and associated transformative strategies including creating a Vision
Zero program with designated staff to apply a safety lens to all planning, design,
and resource allocation and developing an annual report analyzing fatal and
serious injury crash data and provide dashboard data on the City’s website,
which is underway.
Boiarsky commented on the need for an associated push strategy that will help
with attitude leaders and social change. He noted the publishing of the data is
more of a pull strategy.
Chair Williams stated there have been struggles in the past with reporting near
misses and near crashes versus the police report data. He commented on the
North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization tool and Access Fort
Collins that can be used to report those and stated the data needs to be compiled
in a proactive rather than reactive manner.
Krause commented on the possibility of a City staff realignment to create a long-
term culture of embracing and supporting Vision Zero rather than having
dedicated Vision Zero staff. Ruhlen commented on the assignment of key
stakeholders, primarily City departments, to each strategy. She noted Traffic is
the lead for most items and commented on the importance of interdepartmental
collaboration.
Ruhlen discussed the last category related to centering on equity and its
associated transformative strategies including prioritizing projects and routine
maintenance in historically underserved communities and engaging historically
underserved communities in participatory budgeting to determine infrastructure
priorities. She discussed the strategy related to automated traffic enforcement
noting Police Services expressed concern due to the limiting constraints of
automated speed enforcement.
Chair Williams suggested pivoting that strategy more toward education. He cited
the signs that indicate a driver’s speed which seem to help lower speeds. He
concurred with the strategies related to underserved communities but noted there
are challenges in actually achieving those goals.
Chair Williams announced an upcoming Vision Zero webinar and recommended
a book called There Are No Accidents.
Page 79
Item 2.
Vision Zero Action Plan
February 14, 2023
Tyler Stamey
City Traffic Engineer
Rachel Ruhlen
Transportation Planner
Page 80
Item 2.
Questions for City Council 2
1.Do Councilmembers support the plan’s vision and goals?
2.Do Councilmembers support the plan’s transformative
and supporting actions?
3.What feedback do Councilmembers have on the plan’s
actions and implementation strategy?
Page 81
Item 2.
What is Vision Zero?3
By 2032, no one dies or has a
serious injury while traveling on Fort
Collins’ streets
332 crashes in 2021
resulted in a serious
injury or fatality
11 people lost their
lives in 2021
traveling on streets
in Fort Collins
Page 82
Item 2.
Why a Vision Zero Action Plan now?4
Page 83
Item 2.
Existing Conditions 5
Page 84
Item 2.
Is Zero Possible?6
Cities that
have achieved
zero:
•Boulder CO
•Hoboken NJ
•Lansing MI
•Allentown PA
Fatal Crash Rate Comparison to Peer Cities, based on 2017-2020
Data Source: Safety in the City: Fort Collins 2021 Annual Roadway Safety Report, August 2022.
Page 85
Item 2.
Safe System 7
Page 86
Item 2.
Safe Travel Speeds 8
Source: Tefft, B.C. (2011). Impact Speed and a Pedestrian’s Risk of Severe Injury or Death (Technical Report).
Washington, D.C.: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.Page 87
Item 2.
Crash Data Takeaways 9
Severe crashes are
trending up
Most high-risk crashes
occur on a small number
of streets and
intersections
People walking, bicycling
or using a motorcycle are
disproportionately
impacted
Page 88
Item 2.
Crash Data Takeaways 10
SIX
crash types are
responsible for
87%
of severe
crashes
Approach Turn
Bicycle
Rear-end
Right Angle
Fixed-object
Pedestrian
Approach Turn
19%
Bicycle
18%
Rear-end
17%
Right Angle
16%
Fixed-object
10%
Pedestrian
7%
Other
13%
Page 89
Item 2.
High-Injury Network 11
8%of the roads
have
63%of all fatal
and serious injury
crashes
70%
of severe crashes
occurred at an
intersection
The HIN is
91% arterials
6% collectors
3% local
Page 90
Item 2.
12Public Input
City Departments
Community Development &
Neighborhood Services
Economic Health Office
Engineering Department
FC Moves
Parking Services
Parks Department
Parks Planning & Development
Planning Department
Police Services
Streets Department
Traffic Operations
Transfort
Agencies & Organizations
Bike Fort Collins
Colorado State University
Colorado Department of
Transportation
Larimer County
Poudre School District
North Front Range
Metropolitan Planning
Organization
Poudre School District
Safe Kids Larimer County
UC Health
Technical Advisory Committee
City Boards & Committees
Public Review of Draft PlanPage 91
Item 2.
Overarching Goal 13
Focus on Vulnerable Road Users
Measures to protect vulnerable road users ALSO protect people inside motor vehicles
ALL goals include actions that are beneficial to vulnerable road usersPage 92
Item 2.
Goals 14
Support Mode Shift
Prioritize Safer Speeds and
Multimodal Places
Promote a Culture of Traffic
Safety
Increase Data Transparency
and Partnerships
Center Equity
Page 93
Item 2.
Redundancy 15
Layers of traffic safety
•Engineering
•Mode shift
•Land use
•Traffic calming
•Traffic culture
•Enforcement
•Emergency
response
By BenAveling -Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=91881875Page 94
Item 2.
Actions 16
Supporting Actions
Additional actions that fit Fort Collins’
Vision Zero goals
Transformative Actions
Actions that will be most transformative to
get Fort Collins to Vision Zero
Page 95
Item 2.
Support Mode Shift 17
Implement other plans
Page 96
Item 2.
Prioritize Safer Speeds and Multimodal Places 18
Infrastructure
Quick Build
Page 97
Item 2.
Promote a Culture of Traffic Safety 19
Standards & policies
Process
Vision Zero Chicanes
Page 98
Item 2.
Increase Data Transparency and Partnerships 20
Staff
Data
Page 99
Item 2.
Center Equity 21
Health Equity Index
Neighborhood/Community Grants
Page 100
Item 2.
Countermeasures 22
Countermeasures
to address:
Top Severe Crash
Types
Approach Turn
Bicycle
Rear-end
Right Angle
Fixed-object
Pedestrian
Page 101
Item 2.
23Funding
Page 102
Item 2.
Questions for City Council 24
1.Do Councilmembers support the plan’s vision and goals?
2.Do Councilmembers support the plan’s transformative
and supporting actions?
3.What feedback do Councilmembers have on the plan’s
actions and implementation strategy?
Page 103
Item 2.
For Questions or Comments, Please Contact:
Rachel Ruhlen
rruhlen@fcgov.com
Page 104
Item 2.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 1 of 3
February 14, 2023
WORK SESSION AGENDA
ITEM SUMMARY
City Council
STAFF
Paul Sizemore, CDNS Director
Meaghan Overton, Housing Manager
Caryn Champine, Director of PDT
Brad Yatabe, Senior Assistant City Attorney
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Land Use Code Housing Updates: Process and Next Steps.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this work session is to outline potential paths forward for Council’s consideration of
housing-related changes to the City’s Land Use Code (LUC). This work session follows the repeal of
Ordinance No. 114, 2022 on January 17, 2023.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. Do Councilmembers support the process summary and timeline (Stages 1-4)?
2. In what ways would Councilmembers like to be directly involved in the engagement process?
3. Do Councilmembers support monthly work sessions?
4. Which potential engagement activities would Councilmembers like to see incorporated into the
process?
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Following the submission and certification of a petition sufficient for referendum, Council reconsidered
Ordinance No. 114, 2023 at the Regular Meeting on January 17, 2023. Council voted unanimously (7-0)
to repeal Ordinance No. 114, 2022, Repealing and Reenacting Section 29-1 of the Code of the City of Fort
Collins Code to Adopt the Land Development Code and Separately Codifying the 1997 Land Use Code As
“Transitional Land Use Regulations”. Council further directed staff to explore next steps to allow for
additional community engagement and further refinement of housing-related code changes.
A proposed approach to engagement and refinement of housing -related code changes is outlined below
and will be adjusted to align with Council direction received at this work session. While there are many
variables influencing the timeline, City staff estimates the proposed process to be complete in
approximately 6 months, with a new Draft LUC ready by early Summer. In addition, approximately
Page 105
Item 3.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 2 of 3
$150,000 will be required for additional consultant assistance to support meeting facilitation, code drafting
and testing, outreach expenses, and external legal review.
Revisions to the code will continue to support the five guiding principles confirmed by City Council in
November 2021:
1. Increase overall housing capacity (market rate and affordable) and calibrate market-feasible
incentives for deed-restricted affordable housing
2. Enable more affordability, especially near high frequency transit and growth areas
3. Allow for more diverse housing choices that fit in with the existing context
4. Make the code easier to use and understand
5. Improve predictability of the development review process, especially for housing
The attached graphic outlines the proposed process at a conceptual level, and details about the work
proposed in each stage have been included below.
Stage 1 – Listening Sessions and Information Sharing (March-April 2023): City Staff would
host listening sessions, office hours and other community feedback opportunities to learn more
about questions, concerns, and areas of support. City staff recommends Council consider an active
role such as co-hosting and providing input about what types of outreach and input events would
be most useful. Staff and consultants will prepare additional materials, as needed, to improve
communication and understanding. Based on common questions from the community, the focus
could be on affordable housing regulations, comparison of existing and proposed procedures,
education on existing codes and the development review process, comparison of potential built
outcomes by zone district, and implications for utilities. This phase could also include a postcard
mailing and online survey, if desired.
Stage 2 – Identify Relevant Areas of Adjustments (April 2023): Based on feedback from the
community to-date and Stage 1 above, City staff would prepare a recommended scope for
adjustments in creation of a new Draft LUC (using the previously adopted Land Development Code
as the starting point). This scope would be confirmed at a Council Work Session and serve as the
framework for subsequent stages to the process. Areas of adjustment will likely focus on (but are
not limited to):
o The name of the code document
o The notification and review procedures for residential development
o Where to permit housing choices and associated regulations (e.g. Accessory Dwelling
Units, duplexes, triplexes)
o The interaction between the code and private covenants
o Affordable housing incentives and requirements
o Size, height and form of specific housing types
o Additional topics as directed by Council
Stage 3 – Prepare the new Draft LUC (May-June 2023): Based on feedback in Stage 2, staff and
consultants will prepare recommended changes to the new Draft LUC for consideration. The
process to develop these changes would include Council Work Sessions, work sessions with
applicable boards and commissions, technical review and testing of the code, and additional
community engagement efforts. Community engagement activities could include workshops, focus
groups, and similar types of opportunities. This will be an iterative process until Council determines
the draft code language is ready for formal consideration. This stage is also the ideal time to
evaluate progress and make adjustments if directed by Council.
Stage 4 – Adoption Process (July-August 2023): City staff will bring the new Draft LUC to City
Council for adoption. This will be preceded by recommendations from Planning and Zoning
Commission, Affordable Housing Board, and Historic Preservation Commission.
Page 106
Item 3.
City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 3 of 3
Potential Engagement Activities for Council Consideration
The above framework can include additional components to address Council objectives and expand public
outreach, if desired. Staff welcomes direction from Council on whether to incorporate the following
engagement activities:
Monthly Council Work Session: Council could commit monthly Work Session agenda time to
offer input and adjustments to the process, concepts, and drafts. City staff would prepare topics for
discussion and relevant updates for each Work Session.
Task Force: Council could direct staff to form a Task Force that would meet on a set schedule
during Stage 3 (May – June 2023) with facilitated conversations focused on specific code topics.
Their purpose would be to explore specific topics and serve in an advisory capacity to staff and
Council. Different interests would be represented to provide a balance of perspectives based upon
the scope of adjustments determined in Stage 2. A Task Force could be a small (10-15) group,
recruited through an application process, and selected by the City Manager with guidance from
Council.
Postcard Mailing: A postcard could be mailed to all City residents (property owners and tenants)
to provide notification of upcoming outreach activities during Stage 1. This could be an opportunity
to advertise a community survey and/or task force applications as well.
Community-Wide Survey: The City could conduct an online survey during Stage 1 to gather input
and assess the level of support/concern for certain policy choices.
Community Events: Engagement on code topics could be integrated into planned community
events in the spring and summer. Examples include Next Level Neighborhood Workshops,
CityWorks 101, a planned Housing Strategic Plan Community Summit, and other events.
NEXT STEPS
Following this work session, staff will prepare and implement a formal engagement and communications
plan in alignment with Council direction. If supported, staff will also prepare an appropriation of
approximately $150,000 to resource this process.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Presentation
2. Proposed Process Graphic
Page 107
Item 3.
Stage 1
(March -April)
•Gather Input
•Educate & Inform
Stage 2
(April)
•Identify Focus Areas for
Potential Adjustments
Stage 3
(May -June)
•Code Revisions
•Testing & Legal Review
Stage 4
(July-August)
•Recommendations &
Adoption
•Listening Sessions
•Office Hours
•Establish Task Force
•Board & Comm. Discussions
•Listening Sessions
•Work Session Update
FOCUS COMMUNITY
OUTREACH
COUNCIL
ENGAGEMENT
•Public Input Summary
•List of Task Force Members
•Postcard mailing
•Online Survey
DELIVERABLES
•Task Force Meeting 1
•Community Info Session
•Board & Comm. Discussions
•Work Session Discussion
•Task Force Meeting Agendas
& Summaries
•Info Session Presentation
•Council Materials
•Task Force Meetings 2, 3 & 4
•Community Workshop
•Technical Focus Groups
•Board & Comm. Discussions
•Monthly Work Session
Updates
•Task Force Meeting Agendas
& Summaries
•Workshop Materials
•Draft Code Ordinance
•Final Task Force
Recommendation
•Board & Comm.
Recommendations
•1st Reading of New
Ordinance(s)
•Council Materials
•Public Input Summary
•Revised Code Ordinance
EXAMPLE PUBLIC OUTREACH PLAN
Page 108
Item 3.
Land Use Code Phase 1 Updates: Process Next Steps
February 14, 2023
Paul Sizemore | CDNS Director
Meaghan Overton | Housing ManagerPage 109
Item 3.
Questions
1.Do Councilmembers support the process summary and timeline?
2.In what ways would Councilmembers like to be directly involved in
the engagement process?
3.Do Councilmembers support monthly work sessions?
4.Which potential engagement activities would Councilmembers like
to see incorporated into the process?
Page 110
Item 3.
Purpose of the Land Use Code Updates:
To Align the LUC with Adopted City Plans and Policies with a focus on:
•Housing-related changes
•Code Organization
•Equity
3
Page 111
Item 3.
FIVE GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
Revisions to the code will
continue to support the
five guiding principles
confirmed by City Council
in November 2021 with an
emphasis on Equity.
1.Increase overall housing capacity
(market rate and affordable)
and calibrate market-feasible incentives for
deed restricted affordable housing
2.Enable more affordability
especially near high frequency
transit and growth areas
3.Allow for more diverse housing choices
that fit in with the existing context
4.Make the code easier to use
and understand
5.Improve predictability
of the development permit review
process, especially for housing
Page 112
Item 3.
FOCUS Proposed Refinement and Engagement Process
Stage 1
(Mar-Apr)
•Gather Input
•Educate & Inform
Stage 2
(Apr)
•Identify Focus Areas for
Potential Adjustments
Stage 3
(May-Jun)
•Code Revisions
•Testing & Legal Review
Stage 4
(Jul-Aug)
•Recommendations & Adoption
Page 113
Item 3.
Stage 1 6
FOCUS COMMUNITY
OUTREACH
COUNCIL
ENGAGEMENT DELIVERABLES
•Goal: Listen, Share, Educate
•Broad communication about process and opportunities to engage –
social media, website/newsletter updates, potential postcard mailing,
press release, and similar
•Listening sessions
•Formation of Task Force if desiredPage 114
Item 3.
Stage 2 7
•Goal: Identify Areas of Adjustment
•Engage with multiple audiences about how the code could be refined and
improved
•Begin Task Force meetings
•Confirm scope of refinements and adjustments with Council
FOCUS COMMUNITY
OUTREACH
COUNCIL
ENGAGEMENT DELIVERABLES
Page 115
Item 3.
Stage 3 8
FOCUS COMMUNITY
OUTREACH
COUNCIL
ENGAGEMENT DELIVERABLES
•Goal: Prepare the new Draft Code document
•Engage with multiple audiences to share proposed code language
•Convene technical focus groups to review code language + legal review
•Task Force meetings 2-4
•Release Public Review DraftPage 116
Item 3.
Stage 4 9
FOCUS COMMUNITY
OUTREACH
COUNCIL
ENGAGEMENT DELIVERABLES
•Goal: Adopt Land Use Code changes
•Communicate adoption process and timeline
•Seek Recommendations from Boards and Commissions
•Share Final Task Force Recommendation
•First/Second reading of OrdinancePage 117
Item 3.
Potential Engagement Activities for Consideration
•Monthly Council Work Sessions
•Postcard Mailing (property owners and tenants)
•Information Sessions
•Community Survey
•Incorporate into Community Events
•Spring Housing Summit, CityWorks 101, Next
Level Neighborhood workshops, etc.
•Formation of a Task Force
•Four meetings over May and June 2023
•Small group (10-15) focused on specific topics
•Open application process
10
Page 118
Item 3.
Next Steps 11
•Appropriation of approximately $150,000 to resource engagement and
refinement process
•Preparation of engagement and communications plan
•Update at work session in March
•Begin engagement in March 2023
Page 119
Item 3.
Questions
1.Do Councilmembers support the process summary and timeline?
2.In what ways would Councilmembers like to be directly involved in
the engagement process?
3.Do Councilmembers support monthly work sessions?
4.Which potential engagement activities would Councilmembers like
to see incorporated into the process?
Page 120
Item 3.