2017 - Vision Zero Conference

Road traffic safety is on the international agenda. United Nations has identified it as one key goal in the sustainable development goals and many jurisdictions and cities are integrating safety in the development of society. In this session the status of modern road traffic safety is elaborated in an international policy perspective.

In October 1997, the Swedish parliament adopted Vision Zero as a new long term goal and strategy for safety. It is twenty years since this historical decision was made and in this session global experience how Vision Zero has affected both safety operations, safety technology and interventions and finally the effects of all this will be presented and discussed.

Today more than half of the world's population lives in cities. This number is continually growing. It will almost double by the year 2050. Health, safety and security are important elements of a modern mobility and a more liveable and enjoyable city life. Walking, biking and public transport are cornerstones in a modern city. Presentations of concepts and approaches will be given in this session.

Vision Zero relies to a great extent on the notion that technology and innovations can be used to achieve a safe system. In this session both technology and innovations and initiatives and activities to get technology and innovations to be implemented and diffused will be presented and discussed.

The primary objective of the Vision Zero in relation to the behaviour of road users, is to help and support them comply with key traffic rules. Such an approach takes it starting point in their capabilities and limitations. But we need to have a balanced expectation on what can be achieved with regard to human behaviour with traditional behavioural shaping measures and acknowledge the possibilities of technical development. Further, the behaviour of organizations is also important in supporting their individuals to act safely.