Adopting a Safe Systems Approach to Road Safety: Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementa- tion Research to Examine Injury Prevention and Transportation Professionals’ Perceptions of Vision Zero in Five Canadian Municipalities

McCullogh, Emily; Richmond, Sarah A.; Pike, Ian; Fuselli, Pamela; Torres, Juan; Hagel, Brent; Macpherson, Alison · 2025 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.2174/0126671212363303241230105828

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Summary

This study investigates the implementation of Vision Zero, a Safe Systems Approach (SSA) aimed at eliminating road traffic fatalities and serious injuries, within five Canadian municipalities: Vancouver, Calgary, Peel Region, Toronto, and Montréal. Motivated by the lack of research centering on the experiences of injury prevention and transportation professionals regarding Vision Zero’s impact on their work, the authors sought to identify barriers and facilitators to its adoption. The research utilizes the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to contextualize qualitative data, providing a structured analysis of how this strategy is understood and applied in the Canadian context. The methodology involved collecting qualitative data through key informant interviews and virtual focus groups with professionals across various sectors, including policy, transportation, public health, non-profits, academia, and private industry. Participants were selected from the five target municipalities, which had all adopted Vision Zero strategies between 2016 and 2018. The researchers employed thematic analysis to map the collected data onto CFIR constructs, specifically focusing on domains related to innovation, the outer setting, and the implementation process. This approach allowed for a detailed examination of how professionals perceive the effectiveness of Vision Zero and how it influences their road safety initiatives, particularly regarding built environment changes that protect vulnerable road users. The findings revealed that data mapped onto six CFIR constructs across three domains. Key barriers and facilitators included Innovation Complexity, Local Attitudes, Local Conditions, and Assessing Context. Specifically, Innovation Evidence Base and Partnerships and Connections were identified solely as facilitators. The study highlights that Vision Zero implementation is complex and requires robust evidence. Local attitudes and conditions underscore the critical importance of partnerships for the strategy to be accepted and understood. Furthermore, participants viewed Vision Zero as a facilitator for broader road safety work, noting its role in prioritizing vulnerable road users and fostering cross-sector collaboration. The significance of this research lies in its contribution to the literature on Vision Zero in Canada, where no prior studies had centered on professional experiences with the strategy. By applying the CFIR lens, the authors elevate the understanding of implementation barriers and facilitators, offering actionable insights for municipalities interested in adopting or refining Vision Zero approaches. The results suggest that successful implementation depends on strong partnerships, evidence-based practices, and addressing local contextual factors. These findings support municipalities in navigating the complexities of adopting a Safe Systems Approach, ultimately aiming to improve road safety outcomes and reduce injuries among vulnerable populations.

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• traffic safety culture