The City of Paola is introducing an initiative called Vision Zero to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on our streets.

The Safety Action Plan is a proven, successful method of making our streets safer with the goal of eliminating all fatal and serious injury traffic crashes. Endorsed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), more than 1,000 communities across all 50 states have developed or are in the process of developing Safety Action Plans. These plans incorporate proactive, preventative improvements to roadway design and focuses on enhancing safety for all road users.

The Paola Transportation Safety Action Plan
Funded by a USDOT grant, the Paola Transportation Safety Action Plan serves as the city’s roadmap to reduce
traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Using recent crash data from KDOT and public input, the plan will identify high-risk streets, key safety concerns—such as impaired driving or pedestrian safety—and develop targeted strategies. Community engagement is essential, and we encourage residents to share feedback through Quick Polls and the engagement map to help shape safer streets for Paola.

This plan reflects Kansas' dedication to achieving Vision Zero, a global initiative focused on eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries while ensuring safe, reliable, and sustainable mobility for all. Kansas has embraced Vision Zero to enhance roadway safety, with backing from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and other state agencies. Across the state, multiple communities have committed to this goal, collaborating to make streets safer and reduce traffic-related harm.

https://highways.dot.gov/safety/zero-deaths

Our approach will be guided by Vision Zero's Safe System Approach, which is based on the principle that no loss of life is acceptable for our transportation system. Instead, the approach embraces the responsibility to plan and design our transportation system with human mistakes and vulnerabilities in mind. Key to the Safe Systems Approach are the following mindsets:

  • Deaths and serious injuries are unacceptable.
  • Humans make mistakes.
  • Humans are vulnerable.
  • Responsibility is shared.
  • Safety is proactive.
  • Redundancy is crucial.

The Paola Transportation Safety Action Plan needs your input! In the coming months, you’ll have the chance to help shape the plan’s vision and direction through in-person meetings and interactive online activities on this website.

Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - incomplete

    Vision and Needs | Spring 2025

    Online Engagement Hub, Stakeholder Meetings, Crash Data Analysis, and Community Input

  • Timeline item 2 - incomplete

    Analysis and Recommendations | Summer 2025

    City Policy Review, Actions and Strategies, Community Open House, Safety Projects and Priorities

  • Timeline item 3 - incomplete

    Documentation and Adoption | Fall 2025

    Draft and Final Plan, Plan Adoption, and Moving into Implementation

Fact Sheet

Download for a quick reference guide on project info, FAQs, and opportunities to provide input.

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