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The City-County Council took another step Monday evening in its effort to reduce traffic deaths on city streets—action spurred by recent spikes in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities.
The measure calls for establishing a task force focused on the “Vision Zero” framework implemented by several cities, including Columbus and Cincinnati. The Vision Zero premise is that all traffic deaths and severe injuries are avoidable. The stated goal of the Indianapolis plan is to eliminate all traffic deaths by 2035.
The plan requires participation from several city departments, not just the Department of Public Works, and other key stakeholders.
Councilors approved the proposal 22-3. Republicans Michael-Paul Hart, Joshua Bain and Brian Mowery voted against the measure, which was co-authored by first-term Republican Councilor Derek Cahill.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett noted his support of the proposal, as well as the funding of a full-time Vision Zero administrator, during his budget presentation, which occurred before the council’s final vote.
“We need to keep up this work until no one—regardless of whether you’re driving, biking or walking in our streets—no one loses a family member or neighbor to preventable traffic crashes,” Hogsett said. “And that is what Vision Zero is all about. It’s a vision of zero traffic facilities or fatalities in Indianapolis. And next year, we’re taking steps toward that vision with dedicated funding.”
The Vision Zero proposal was brought to the council by Democrats Barth and Andy Nielsen. Nielsen, whose east-side District 14 includes Irvington, told a council committee this month that Vision Zero is systematic, data-driven and outcome-based. He listed a few components, such as even more road designs that slow drivers, pedestrian signals, education to “make sure drivers put the dang phones down,” and a greater emphasis on ticketing violators.
“If you care about them, just one of those things, Vision Zero does that,” Nielsen said.
The plan would establish a citywide, 15-member task force to craft measures based on best practices. It would also maintain public access through at least two open meetings per year, beginning Oct. 1, and an online portal.
The city would hire a full-time, dedicated Vision Zero administrator by Jan. 1. That individual would work across departments to create long-term policy solutions and budget recommendations over the next decade—independent of the city’s annual budgeting process.
The proposed 2025 city budget includes funding for that administrator.
The task force would adopt a Vision Zero strategy by July 1. Each step in that strategy would include deadlines for implementation, list those responsible for implementation, cite funding sources or actions needed to obtain funding, and set performance goals or metrics.
Progress on the strategy would be reported to the City-County Council every quarter. It would be updated annually before May.
Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration supports the measure.
The Department of Public Works would use a grant from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization to hire Burgess & Niple, the firm of Columbus Vision Zero architect Maria Cantrell, to guide implementation.
Vision Zero funding is a big question mark. Outside of the costs associated with hiring the administrator and holding meetings, no other funds have been allocated for the proposal.
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works provided data to IBJ showing that Marion County crashes involving pedestrians are actually projected to be 6.2% lower this year than in 2019, based on the number of accidents reported during the first half of 2024. The 112 crashes involving cyclists in 2023, was 18.8% lower than in 2019.
According to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute’s latest traffic-fatality statistics, 145 people died in collisions Marion County in 2022, including 44 pedestrians and one pedalcyclist.
In other business Monday night, the City-County Council approved measures that would require:
- Owners of short-term rentals, commonly through platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO, to obtain an annual permit from the city. The permit would carry a $150 application fee and could be renewed for free in subsequent years. The permitting process is seen by some as a potential way to weed out bad actors who offer short-term rentals that can become hotspots for crime. Republican Councilor Michael-Paul Hart offered an amendment to remove the application fee associated with the proposal, but the amendment failed. The original proposal passed 23-2, with Republican Councilors Hart and Joshua Bain voting against it.
- Indianapolis residents with one or more dogs that are not spayed or neutered to register with the city at no cost and abide by a set of animal care guidelines. outlined in the proposal. The first violation would result in a referral to a spay or neuter service. A second violation carries a fine of $50 and a third violation would be subject to a $150 ticket. Bain, a Republican, authored an amendment to allow dogs to give birth more frequently than once in an 18-month period if a veterinarian gives written permission. Bain said it was written in collaboration with the American Kennel Club. The amendment passed unanimously. The amended proposal passed unanimously.
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