Editorial: Vision zero: the safe system approach and traffic safety culture

Ward, Nicholas John; Kumfer, Wesley; Baldwin, Shelly · 2023 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.3389/ffutr.2023.1233766

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Summary

This editorial introduces a research topic in *Frontiers in Future Transportation* focused on the Safe System Approach and traffic safety culture, motivated by the persistent global crisis of traffic fatalities. Despite some post-pandemic declines, many nations, particularly the United States, continue to experience alarming increases in traffic deaths, with pedestrians and bicyclists disproportionately affected. The authors argue that a new management paradigm is required, pointing to the Safe System Approach—a human-centered framework that treats fatalities as systemic failures and utilizes overlapping protections from infrastructure, technology, enforcement, and culture. While nations like Sweden, Norway, and New Zealand have successfully reduced fatalities by adopting these principles, the approach remains novel in the U.S. The editorial emphasizes that implementing this system requires significant cultural shifts and careful navigation of unique policy environments. The paper summarizes seven articles within the research topic that examine the Safe System Approach through the lens of organizational and local culture. These studies range from localized implementation case studies to analyses of organizational factors and technologies. For instance, Safarpour et al. surveyed road safety experts in Iran, identifying the lack of a lead agency as a significant administrative barrier. Grove and Lynn analyzed Vision Zero in Houston, Texas, highlighting the cultural obstacle of automobility and the need to shift values toward accommodating all road users. Austin et al. conducted a systematic analysis of peer-reviewed cultural interventions, finding widespread evidence that initiatives influencing organizational culture can be effective, though many studies lack clear cultural definitions. To address this gap, Otto et al. presented a case study of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s organizational readiness for change. Additionally, Schell and Ward discussed coalition strategies for managing cultural shifts, while Naumann et al. provided evidence that leadership training based on Community Coalition Action Theory increases confidence in coalition development and planning. The collective findings suggest that while the Safe System Approach is effective, its implementation is hindered by cultural and organizational barriers that require targeted interventions. The reviewed articles provide a framework for challenging social norms, self-assessing readiness, and aligning internal processes with the external vision of zero fatalities. The authors conclude that because change is difficult and faces resistance, successful adoption requires a change management plan aligned with local culture. Given the complex nature of traffic safety and growing inequities between regions, further research is essential to support the implementation of the Safe System Approach across different cultural contexts. This work underscores the necessity of moving beyond technical solutions to address the human and organizational factors critical for sustainable traffic safety improvements.

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Topics

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• traffic safety culture
• comparative international