Vision Zero in Germany

Abstract

AbstractVision Zero has a central role in traffic safety in Germany. Finally, it was even a relevant point in the coalition treaty from the Federal Governing Parties in the year 2018.It is a unifying theme for safety measures taken on the federal, state, and local levels and in private, nonprofit traffic safety organizations. In later years, cooperation between these different agents has been intensified. Evaluation and measurability are essential in the German approach to Vision Zero. One example of this is the statistical work performed every year to identify “zero cities,” i.e., cities that had zero road fatalities the previous year. A yearly award puts focus on cities that have a particularly long string of zero years, in relation to their size. This is performed on an international level, and cities around the world are incentivized by these recognitions. Munich is used as an example of a city that has recently stepped up its traffic safety work. The city has adopted Vision Zero and followed up this with intensified traffic safety work, including improved data collection, the identification of accident black spots, targeted measures to improve safety in these black spots, safety audits of new infrastructure plans, etc. Before the introduction of new traffic technologies which may have an impact on safety, in-depth technology assessment has to be performed. This is illustrated by an example in which sufficient prior technology assessment did not take place, namely the introduction of e-scooters in Germany. After their introduction, they have turned out to be significantly more dangerous than bicycles, as can be seen from the statistics of fatalities and severe injuries. Proposals are made for measures are needed to reverse this trend, including obligatory use of helmets. The dialogue with neighbor states is also essential. Here the Traffic Expert Society of Medical and Technical Biomechanics, gmttb (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland= D A CH), has initiated to discuss and bundle basic principles of the Vision Zero in three neighbor countries. To promote Vision Zero, gmttb also organizes interdisciplinary yearly conferences with experts from Austria (Vision Zero is a state philosophy) and Switzerland (here named Via Sicura) to bundle strength and adopt ideas together with Swedish and multinational experts. As well as a yearly gmttb Vision Zero Safety Award is granted to motivate people, organizations, and manufacturers to promote good ideas for better traffic safety.