June 25, 2024
New study assesses financial impact to business from Vision Zero safety projects
Seattle has committed to Vision Zero, an international street safety movement. Through numerous infrastructure projects, this proposal aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities by 2030.
Despite concerns from local business owners about potential decreases in revenue due to reduced parking and disruptions to regular traffic flow, a study conducted by the University of Washington revealed that Vision Zero-focused safety projects had no adverse effects on businesses’ financial performance. The research team assessed seven pedestrian safety projects launched between 2006 and 2014, and found businesses in intervention sites had no significant discrepancies in revenue compared to unaffected areas.
This finding suggests that improving traffic safety does not harm businesses and may even benefit them, highlighting the safety and economic benefits of walkable environments.