Safe Streets Lincoln

Safe Streets Lincoln Vision Zero Action Plan

The mission of the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) to provide the safe and efficient movement of all modes of traffic in the City of Lincoln. Safe Streets Lincoln is a local initiative, which is part of the national Vision Zero campaign to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The Safe Streets Lincoln initiative and national Vision Zero concept prioritize traffic safety and consider it a public health issue. The Vision Zero strategy acknowledges that many factors contribute to safe mobility – including street design, speeds, behaviors, technology, and policies – and that traffic safety is a shared responsibility. Safe Streets Lincoln is a community-driven initiative committed to greater traffic safety, using a comprehensive approach to identify strategies and projects that keep all road users safe.

Our Commitment and Goal

The Safe Streets Lincoln goal is to eliminate all roadway fatalities and reduce suspected serious injuries by 60% by 2045.

In pursuit of this goal, the City of Lincoln is developing a Vision Zero Action Plan. Learn more about the project here: Lincoln’s Vision Zero Action Plan

A Shift in Thinking

Pursuing the Safe Streets Lincoln and Vision Zero concept offers a positive and proactive shift in thinking from traffic crashes happen, to traffic crashes resulting in street fatalities and serious injuries are preventable. The table below provides an overview.

	Traditional/Prevailing Framework	Vision Zero Framework
Issue	Preventing All Crashes	Preventing Fatalities and Serious Injuries
Premise	Deaths are Inevitable	Deaths are Preventable
Focus	Perfecting Human Behavior	Designing a Road System that Accounts for Human Error
Responsibility	Individual Road Users	Shared Responsibility: Road Users and System Designers

Safe Streets Lincoln, In Action

Safety improvements in transportation take many forms. Several safety measures have already been implemented within the city of Lincoln to enhance safety for all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Here are a few examples of the safety improvements already in place across the city.

Saratoga Elementary School Zone Improvements

In 2022, Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) implemented safety improvements in the Saratoga Elementary school zone. Key changes included shortening pedestrian crossing distances, extending bike lanes south from South Street, lowering speed limit, adding ADA-compliant curb ramps, and enhancing crosswalk visibility with new signage and pavement markings. These upgrades aim to slow traffic and improve safety for students and pedestrians near the school. Extended bike lanes and additional pavement markings on 13th Street near South Street to shorten crossing distance at the pedestrian signal.

Learn More

Pedestrian Hybrid
Beacon

A pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) is a type of traffic signal used to stop vehicles and allows pedestrians and bicyclists to cross streets safely. The pedestrian hybrid beacon remains dark to drivers on the street until activated by a pedestrian or bicyclist until it’s by pressing a button.

PHB enhances safety at midblock and uncontrolled crossings by providing clear right-of-way and increasing driver compliance. It reduces pedestrian crash risk while minimizing vehicle delays, offering a cost-effective alternative to full traffic signals.

Learn More

13th Street Roadway Reconfiguration

In 2018, Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) reconfigured South 13th Street, from South Street to Lincoln Mall, to improve safety, efficiency, and mobility for all users along this segment of roadway.

Key improvements included converting the road from four lanes to three with a center two-way left-turn lane, enhancing pedestrian crosswalks with the installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) at “D” Street and “F” Street, and adding bike lanes in both directions.

Learn More(, 0B)

More information: Proven Safety Countermeasures (FHWA Website)

Project Overview

Safe Streets Lincoln is a local initiative aligned with the national Vision Zero campaign, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities. This project focuses on developing a comprehensive Vision Zero Action Plan, with a safety goal of eliminating all roadway fatalities and reducing serious injury crashes by 60% by 2045 on all locally maintained streets.

Vision Zero acknowledges that many factors contribute to safe mobility, including street design, speeds, behaviors, technology, and policies. Through this initiative, Safe Streets Lincoln sets clear goals to achieve the shared vision of safer streets for all road users.

Project Timeline

The Vision Zero Action Plan kicked off in September 2024 and is anticipated to be completed by December 2025.

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Project Funding

The City of Lincoln received a $400,000 grant from the United State Department of Transportation (USDOT) through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. The City is providing a local match of 20% ($100,000), bringing the total project budget to $500,000. This funding is intended to support the planning efforts and development of the Safe Streets Lincoln - Vision Zero Action Plan.

The projects identified in the action plan may qualify for future funding opportunities, including SS4A implementation grants. Additionally, the City of Lincoln will pursue other funding sources to support the implementation of these initiatives.

Opportunities for Engagement

Community participation is critical to the success of Safe Streets Lincoln and the development of the Vision Zero Action Plan. The project team is involving the community through various opportunities, including:

Public Input Sessions

Throughout the project, the public had multiple opportunities to provide input through pop-up events, online surveys, and an open house.

Public Open House: Thursday, August 21, 2025; 5 to 7 p.m.; Elliott Elementary School, 225 South 25th Street; Meeting Displays English(, 0B) Español(, 0B)

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(, 0B) In the summer of 2025, the project team attended four community events and hosted a web-based survey to learn what safety improvements community members would like to see.

Safe Streets Lincoln Internal City Task Force

An internal task force comprised of representatives from various City departments provides technical oversight and facilitates coordination between departments. This group meets regularly throughout the project and ensures alignment with City-wide safety initiatives.

(, 0B) City Task Force Meeting 2: June 25, 2025

City Task Force Members hide list

Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Administration – 3 members
Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Traffic Engineering (3 members)
Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Project Delivery
Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Asset Management & Performance
Lincoln Transportation and Utilities GIS
Lincoln Transportation and Utilities StarTran
City of Lincoln Planning Department
City of Lincoln Lincoln MPO
City of Lincoln Urban Development
City of Lincoln/Lancaster County Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Dept
City of Lincoln Lincoln Parks and Rec
Human Services Aging Partners
Public Safety Lincoln Fire & Rescue (2 members)
Public Safety Lincoln Police Department
City of Lincoln Lincoln Attorney's Office
City of Lincoln Lincoln Mayor's Representative
Education Lincoln Public Schools

Safe Streets Lincoln Community Task Force

A broad group of external stakeholders ensures the Vision Zero Action Plan addresses community priorities and needs. This group meets regularly to provide feedback and guidance.

(, 0B) Community Task Force Meeting 2: June 20, 2025

Community Task Force Members hide list

Advocacy/Interest Group AARP Nebraska State Office
Advocacy/Interest Group Disability Pride
Advocacy/Interest Group Downtown Lincoln Association (DLA)
Advocacy/Interest Group Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PBAC) & Great Plains Trail Network
Business Community Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
Community Center Malone Community Center
Cultural Center Asian Community and Cultural Center
Cultural Center El Centro de las Americas
Education Lincoln Community Learning Center (CLC)
Education - LPS LPS Family Literacy Program
Education - UNL UNL - Faculty
Faith-based institution Quinn Chapel AME Church
Healthcare Bryan Health
Housing Neighborworks Lincoln
Human Services Lutheran Family Services
Human Services People's City Mission
Library Eisley Library
Neighborhood Clinton Neighborhood Association
Neighborhood College View Neighborhood Association
Public Safety Lincoln Police Department