2025-1 Resolution of the Council, re: Surplus Playground Equipment from Howland Park & Linden Park.

RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL

NO. 2025-1

A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN

ADOPTING A VISION ZERO POLICY

PREAMBLE

WHEREAS, the life and health of all persons living and traveling within the Town of Middletown are our utmost priority, and no one should die or be seriously injured while traveling on our city streets; and

WHEREAS, Vision Zero is the concept that traffic deaths and serious injuries on our roadways are unacceptable; and

WHEREAS, Vision Zero is a holistic strategy aimed at eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries suffered by all road users while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility; and

WHEREAS, streets and transportation systems have traditionally been designed to prioritize the efficient movement of cars at the expense of all else, and Vision Zero supports a paradigm shift by designing streets and transportation systems to move people safely, including people of all ages and abilities, pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit users, scooter riders, and motorcyclists, as well as drivers and passengers of motor vehicles; and

WHEREAS, Vision Zero recognizes that people will sometimes make mistakes, so the road system and related policies should be designed to ensure that those inevitable mistakes do not result in severe injuries or fatalities; therefore, transportation planners, engineers, and policymakers are expected to improve the roadway environment, policies, and other related systems to lessen the severity of crashes; and

WHEREAS, three people lost their lives to traffic deaths, and 22 have been seriously injured in Middletown between 2019-2023, and traffic crashes are among the leading cause of deaths in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Middletown’s transportation infrastructure serves an increasing number of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists; and

WHEREAS, the provision of a more complete bicycle and pedestrian network increases transit accessibility and a reduction in vehicle trips; and

WHEREAS, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, pedestrians and bicyclists are involved in 28% of serious injury or fatality crashes, while representing just 2% of all crashes in Middletown; and

WHEREAS, the injury rate for pedestrians involved in collisions is approximately 41%, and the injury rate for bicyclists involved in collisions is approximately 44%; and

WHEREAS, speed is recognized as a major determining factor of survival in a crash; and

WHEREAS, Middletown is working toward reducing vehicle speeds because the likelihood of a pedestrian surviving a crash is 10% if hit by a vehicle moving 40 mph; and

WHEREAS, Around 7.86% of Middletown’s population lives in an underserved area, where the provision of equitable transportation-land use systems would have an outsized impact on residents; and

WHEREAS, children, older adults, people of color, people with disabilities, people who are unhoused, and people with low income face a significantly disproportionate risk of traffic injuries and fatalities; and

WHEREAS, making streets safer for all people using all modes of transportation will encourage people to travel on foot, by bicycle, and by public transit, which supports a healthier, more active lifestyle and reduces environmental pollution; and

WHEREAS, improvements to active transportation reduce pollution, increase public health, and positively impact economic development, particularly for tourism-dependent communities such as Middletown; and

WHEREAS, Vision Zero resolutions have been adopted by many jurisdictions across the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Middletown has already adopted a Complete Streets Resolution in 2011; and

WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island has committed to the development of and adoption of an updated Complete Streets Plan and Design Guide by 2025, which establishes a statewide and municipal Complete Streets policy and prioritization method to inform project selection and delivery; and

WHEREAS, for Vision Zero to be accepted, it must be thoughtfully integrated into and embraced by multiple stakeholders, Town government leaders, including police and emergency services, the business community, school communities, neighborhood and community groups, and the public at large.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Council of the Town of Middletown, Rhode Island, as follows:

1. The Town of Middletown adopts the goal of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries, stating that no loss of life or serious injury is acceptable on our streets.

2. The Town of Middletown adopts the goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2034 and endorses Vision Zero as a comprehensive and holistic approach to achieving this goal.

3. The Town of Middletown commits to establishing a continuous evaluation framework, including regular analysis of crash data and systematic review of the 2024 Safety Action Plan. This framework will involve the ongoing assessment and revision of strategies, actions, and metrics to ensure progress toward the goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2034.

JANUARY 6, 2025

READ AND PASSED IN COUNCIL

Wendy J. W. Marshall, MMC
Town Clerk