Denton is the latest among cities advocating proactive measures to reduce traffic deaths after adopting its Vision Zero Action Plan. Under the plan, the city will work toward reducing traffic deaths by 50% by 2035, with the goal of completely preventing related death and injuries by 2050.
Similar comprehensive strategies have been adopted by thousands of municipalities across the nation, harboring increased focuses on increasing roadway safety for drivers and pedestrians alike. To realize the vision, Denton approved two funding items totaling $12.7 million from the federal Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program that could help implement projects designed to address crash-prone, unsafe roadways.
The City Council will now submit applications for the 2026 SS4A program which, if awarded, would advance key projects, including:
- Improving road safety and ADA accessibility along two streets.
- Advancing safety and accessibility projects along High Injury Network (HIN) locations identified in the Vision Zero Action Plan.
- Upgrading intersection safety infrastructure in dangerous areas.
- Advancing planning efforts for projects, ADA accessibility enhancements, updates to the city’s ADA Transition Plan and development of a Transportation Transparency Dashboard.
City employees identified six roadways with the highest frequency of traffic deaths and injuries across Denton. To address these and future hazards, the plan outlines a series of countermeasures to correct accident-prone streets and intersections, reducing the risk of accidents or deaths. These solutions may include:
- Raised medians.
- High contrast lane markings.
- Retroreflective backplates.
- Roundabouts.
- Bike lanes.
- Lane designation markings and signage.
- Rectangular rapid flashing beacons.
- Improved signing and visibility at signals.
- Sidewalks.
- Roadway reconfiguration.
- Speed feedback.
- Midblock crossings.
- Pedestrian refuge islands.
- Curb extensions.
- Wider edge lines.
The plan’s approval will improve the city’s chances for qualifying for future funding opportunities from state and federal agencies for safety improvement projects. The document includes 43 actions that will cement the city’s efforts to protect residents. These actions will primarily work to address speed risks, improve road safety, protect roadway users, enhance vehicle safety and provide better post-crash care.
Engagement and participation with the 2026 SS4A program remain one of Denton’s top priorities. In addition to applying for the program, the City Council has also emphasized implementing Safe Routes to School (SRTS) improvements that align with Vision Zero.
Photo by Erik McLean from Pexels
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