Vision Zero FAQ

    What is Vision Zero?

    It's a traffic safety strategy for preventing all traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries. Vision Zero is recognized around the world, starting in in Sweden in 1997.

    Why is the City of Kitchener developing a Vision Zero Strategy?

    Speeding and traffic safety are the top traffic concerns we hear from residents in the City of Kitchener. Serious injuries and fatalities are low in Kitchener roads, but none are acceptable.

    How is Vision Zero different from traditional road safety approaches?

    Vision Zero is a new way of thinking about creating safer roads:

    • focused on fatal and serious injuries - the traditional approach is to look at all collisions
    • no loss of life is acceptable
    • acknowledging that humans make mistakes, which we can anticipate and account for
    • road safety is a shared responsibility between the people who design, maintain and use the road

    Isn’t it impossible to prevent all serious injuries and fatalities on the road?

    Although eliminating all traffic related serious injuries and fatalities is challenging, we believe that no traffic deaths and serious injuries are acceptable. The City’s mission is to identify the road safety improvements required to lower the number of traffic serious injuries and deaths as much as possible with the vision of reaching zero.

    How can Vision Zero reduce the number of traffic related serious injuries and deaths?

    The Vision Zero approach has been proven around the world in reducing serious injuries and deaths. Road safety is improved through engineering, evaluation, engagement, education and enforcement improvements.

    What changes should we expect on streets as a result of this project?

    We are still identifying the improvements required to enhance road safety in Kitchener. Staff will also look into the experience of other municipalities to see what has worked best.

    How do you decide where to install road safety improvements?

    We will use traffic and collision data to identify priority locations.

    How do other City safety programs fit into the Vision Zero Strategy?

    There are many road safety efforts being undertaken by the City of Kitchener, including:

    • Seasonal, formal and resident-led traffic calming programs
      Complete streets guidelines
      40km/h Neighbourhood Speed Limit review project
      Separated cycling facilities project

    We will compare our current work against Vision Zero best practices to identify areas where we can improve.

    Who are you working with on this plan?

    We are working with:

    • Region of Waterloo
    • Other local municipalities in the area 
    • Waterloo Region Police Services
    • Region of Waterloo Health Services
    • Region of Waterloo School Board
    • City of Kitchener residents

    We will engage the public through a series of engagement events.

    Why does Vision Zero focus on active modes of transportation (walking and cycling)?

    Data shows pedestrians and cyclists are involved in more than their fair share of serious injuries and fatal collisions. Vision Zero focuses on most vulnerable road users.

    Will Vision Zero make it hard to get around the city?

    Our goal is to make sure getting around is safe and convenient for everyone, no matter how they travel.

    How can I get involved/stay updated?

    Click the Subscribe button on the top right-hand side of this page to get updates about Vision Zero.

    I can’t fill out the survey online. What should I do?

    To request a paper copy of the survey, please contact Faranak Hosseini at 519-741-2200 ext 7665 or faranak.hosseini@kitchener.ca.

    You will receive a pre-paid postage envelope along with the paper copy of the survey. You can use the pre-paid postage envelop to send back your responses. The address for sending back the completed survey is:

    Faranak Hosseini
    Transportation Planning Project Manager
    Transportation Services, 5th Floor
    200 King St W, Kitchener, ON
     N2G 4G7

Demographic Questions FAQ

    Why are we collecting socio-demographic data?

    Our goal is to ensure that every resident has access to the highest quality services that we can provide. The information you provide will (1) Tell us who you are, (2) Help us plan for services, (3) Help us improve access to services to particular populations if gaps are identified, and (4) Help us to engage diverse voices in decision making.

    Why are you asking me about my sexual orientation, gender identity or race?

    Your answers will help us understand who is using our services, and/or who we are connecting with through our community engagement efforts, and who may be missing. We know that sometimes people experience discrimination due to many different factors when it comes to service delivery and community inclusion, including sexual orientation, gender identity or racial or ethnic background. If we don’t ask, then we won’t know if discrimination or exclusion is happening, and if we don’t know who we are reaching, then we cannot develop strategies to correct any existing barriers.

     

    Why are you asking me about my place of birth?

    We want to make sure that no matter where you come from, or what your status is, you are able to access the services you need and be a part of community engagement efforts if you choose. 

    Why do you need to know how much money I earn? Do you report this to any agency?

    No we don’t give your information to anyone. Again, knowledge about income helps us understand who is using services, who we are reaching out to, and if there is possibly a barrier due to income level. Research tells us that different income groups, especially individuals with lower income may experience poorer services or experience exclusion more than those with higher incomes. We don’t want this to happen here and we want to know if it is so that we can take steps to address it. 

    Are you allowed to ask me these questions?

    Yes. The Ontario Human Rights Commission encourages the collection of socio-demographic data in order to promote equity and protect human rights as identified under the Ontario Human Rights Code. 

    What are you going to do with my information?

    Your answers will be used by the City of Kitchener to provide a deeper understanding of who we are engaging, who our clients are, to help plan for services, and ensure we are providing the best services for all.

    Who can see my information?

    Your information has been collected anonymously, the data will only be available in aggregate form; this means that your answers will be grouped with other answers and there will be no way to identify you personally.

    Do I have to participate?

    No. Participation is completely voluntary.  

    What if there are questions that I don’t want to answer?

    You can refuse to answer any question. Each question has a “prefer not to answer” option that you may choose.