Safe System Approach
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Historically, crashes have been viewed as the result of an error on the part of the individual roadway user—a law or rule was broken, a wrong decision made. The Safe System approach, which was born from international Vision Zero efforts, acknowledges that humans make mistakes and, importantly, are vulnerable to the forces that occur during a crash. By focusing on eliminating fatal and serious injuries the Safe System approach inherently places a priority on pedestrians and bicyclists, who are at a higher risk of fatal or serious injury than a person driving or traveling in a motor vehicle. |
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Principles of a Safe Systems Approach
Death and Serious Injuries are Unacceptable
A Safe System Approach prioritizes the elimination of crashes that result in death and serious injuries.
Humans Make Mistakes
People will inevitably make mistakes and decisions that can lead or contribute to crashes, but transportation systems can be designed and operated to accommodate to human mistakes, and avoid death and serious injuries when a crash occurs.
Humans Are Vulnerable
Human bodies have physical limits for tolerating crash forces before death or serious injury occurs; therefore, it is critical to design and operate a transportation system that is human-centric and accommodates physical human vulnerabilities.
Responsibility is Shared
All stakeholders—including government at all levels, industry, non-profit/advocacy, researchers, and the general public—are vital to preventing fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways.
Safety is Proactive
Proactive tools including data and design should be used to identify and address safety issues in the transportation system, rather than waiting for crashes to occur and reacting afterwards.
Redundancy is Crucial
Reducing risks requires that the transportation system is layered and strengthened, so that if one part fails, the other parts still protect people.
Death and Serious Injuries are Unacceptable
A Safe System Approach prioritizes the elimination of crashes that result in death and serious injuries.
Humans Make Mistakes
People will inevitably make mistakes and decisions that can lead or contribute to crashes, but transportation systems can be designed and operated to accommodate to human mistakes, and avoid death and serious injuries when a crash occurs.
Humans Are Vulnerable
Human bodies have physical limits for tolerating crash forces before death or serious injury occurs; therefore, it is critical to design and operate a transportation system that is human-centric and accommodates physical human vulnerabilities.
Responsibility is Shared
All stakeholders—including government at all levels, industry, non-profit/advocacy, researchers, and the general public—are vital to preventing fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways.
Safety is Proactive
Proactive tools including data and design should be used to identify and address safety issues in the transportation system, rather than waiting for crashes to occur and reacting afterwards.
Redundancy is Crucial
Reducing risks requires that the transportation system is layered and strengthened, so that if one part fails, the other parts still protect people.
publications
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission Regional Safety Action Plan
The SPC updated its Regional Safety Action Plan for 2025-2030, aligning with PennDOT's 2% annual fatality reduction target. The plan adopts the Safe System Approach, aiming to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries by:
- Identifying high-risk locations through data analysis
- Engaging with local communities for feedback
- Implementing targeted safety interventions.
