2022 Safe Streets Report2018–2020 CRASH DATA SUMMARY
VISION ZERO BOULDER SAFE STREETS REPORT
4th Edition, 2022
Artist: Debbie Clapper, Gneural
Photo: Ryan Policky, Latenight Weeknight
www.BoulderColorado.gov 1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CITY OF BOULDER
TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY DEPARTMENT
Project Management Team
Devin Joslin, Principal Traffic Engineer
Veronica Son, Transportation Engineer
Mark Shisler, Transportation Operations Engineer
Mike Gardner-Sweeney, Transportation Operations Engineer
Liv Lewin, Senior Transportation Planner
David Kemp, Senior Transportation Planner
Additional Collaborators
Erika Vandenbrande, Director
Natalie Stiffler, Deputy Director
Valerie Watson, Transportation Planning Manager
Chris Hagelin, Principal Transportation Planner
Ryan Noles, Senior Transportation Planner
Reese Shaw, Transportation Planning Specialist
BOULDER POLICE DEPARTMENT
Robyn VanDerLeest, Sergeant
Jo Vann, Photo Enforcement Supervisor
INFORMATION SERVICES
Joe Simpson, GIS Analyst
Elly Evans, GIS Specialist
COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
Jennifer Bray, Communications Senior Program Manager
Samantha Glavin, Communications Program Manager
MUNICIPAL COURT
Linda Cooke, Municipal Judge
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Tila Duhaime, Chair
Robert Hutchinson
Mark McIntyre
Ryan Schuchard
Alex Weinheimer
CONSULTANT SERVICES
Jessica Hernandez, Apex Design
Stephanie Ball, Apex Design
Camden Palvino, Apex Design
Elaine C. Erb, Consultant
Tim Giesen, Claro Creative Group
Pete d’Oronzio, Pd’ Programming, Inc.
Tawnya Mitchell, Pd’ Programming, Inc.
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Snapshot of Key Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Crash Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Evaluating What We’ve Done to Date . . . .8
People Walking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
People Bicycling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
People Traveling Under the
Influence of Alcohol or Drugs . . . . . . . .18
People Speeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
People Making Left Turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
People Ages 65 and Older . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Other Areas of Concern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Other Vision Zero Objectives . . . . . . . . . . .28
Next Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
The crash data reported in this document comes
from the City of Boulder’s Transportation & Mobility
Department database, which is derived from the
Police Department’s Record Management System.
The information contained in these databases is
updated periodically and may change over time.
For an electronic version of this document please visit:
https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/vision-zero
2 Vision Zero Boulder | Safe Streets Report, 4th Edition 2022 3
Introduction
The City of Boulder is dedicated to creating and maintaining a safe transportation system through capital
improvements, maintenance, traffic control, education, enforcement, and engineering. Boulder has been reporting
on Vision Zero since 2009, and while the number of overall crashes has decreased, serious injury and fatal crashes
are still occurring. Between 2009 and 2020, 636 people have been seriously injured or killed.
These traffic injuries and deaths are at odds with Boulder ’s core community values to ensure travel safety for people
using all modes, as defined in the Transportation Master Plan (TMP). Safety concerns such as drivers speeding;
impaired or distracted road users; and conflicts among vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists challenge our national
reputation as a walkable, bikeable, and livable city.
Vision Zero is Boulder’s bold goal to eliminate all severe crashes involving people using all modes of
travel. Boulder defines severe crashes as those that result in a serious injury or fatality.
9 people were killed 150 people were seriously injured
THE VISION ZERO APPROACH
Vision Zero employs both a location-specific and a systemwide approach
that is targeted, responsive, and proactive through a transformative set of
actions that prioritizes travel safety for everyone. Vision Zero includes a
holistic 4 E’s approach to eliminate severe crashes and reduce other types
of crashes. The community should feel educated and empowered about
best practices to protect themselves and others when driving, walking, or
bicycling. This approach also focuses on our community’s perception of
travel safety and comfort with the idea that no one should be discouraged
from traveling by any mode because of fears about safety.
Vision Zero guiding principles:
Use a people-focused, data-driven, action-oriented, and
interdisciplinary approach to carrying out the 4 E’s.
Proactively employ proven crash countermeasures,
with a focus on continuous improvement.
Practice a Safe Systems approach that recognizes:
People make mistakes that can lead to crashes.
The human body has limited physical ability to tolerate crash forces.
The responsibility for making the mobility system safe is a shared
responsibility across all road users and stakeholders and requires
personal responsibility.
All parts of the system must be strengthened and properly
maintained to multiply the impact of interventions and provide a
safety net when any one part of the system is deficient.
There are five Vision Zero objectives:
Eliminate crashes resulting in serious injuries and fatalities.
Reduce other types of crashes.
Improve travel comfort and security.
Enhance awareness of and community engagement with Vision Zero.
Improve data and be transparent.
14,500+Between 2018 and 2020, approximately
14,500 people were involved in a
crash in Boulder
ENFORC E M E NTEVALUATIONE
DUCATIONEN G I N EERING
PLANNING CONTEXT
Vision Zero is a priority of the
Transportation Master Plan
(TMP) and also informs our other
city transportation plans and
standards—including the Design and
Construction Standards, Pedestrian
Crossing Treatment Installation
Guidelines, Traffic Signal Practices,
Low-Stress Walk and Bike Network
Plan, Curbside Management Plan (in
progress) and the Speed Limit Setting
and Signing Framework grant (planned
to begin in mid-2022).
The Vision Zero Boulder: Safe Streets
Report is the city’s comprehensive
traffic crash analysis used to understand
where and how crashes are occurring,
whom they involve, and inform actions
to improve safety. The report was first
published in 2012 (2009-2011 crash
data), with additional versions released
in 2016 (2012-2014 crash data) and
2019 (2015-2017 crash data). This 4th
edition includes a detailed analysis of
crash data for the years 2018-2020. The
corresponding Vision Zero Action Plan
will be updated in 2022 and will detail
specific actions to address the trends
and issues documented in this Safe
Streets Report. In addition, ongoing
evaluation and reporting will be done in
support of the Transportation Report on
Progress every two years.
1
2
3
4
52 walking 1 on a bike 6 in a car 25 walking 55 on a bike 70 in a car
These people aren’t just numbers. They are our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children,
and friends. They’ve been seriously injured or killed in the course of the everyday act of moving from
place to place. The impact on their families, friends, and communities is immense and permanent.Methodology
The same crash analysis methodology that was used for the 2015-2017 analysis
(Vision Zero Safe Streets Report, 3rd Edition 2019) was used for the 2018-2020
analysis. All crash records were queried to only include police reported crashes
from the database. Moreover, special attention was given to all bicycle- and
pedestrian-related crashes by reading through the police officer narratives of each
crash report and using the Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Analysis Tool (PBCAT)
crash typing software to find specific crash trends. Police officer narratives were
also used to fill in gaps within the police reports, where applicable.
The only difference in the crash analysis methodology used for the 2018-2020
analysis is that crashes occurring on private property were removed from the total,
which is in line with industry best practices. Local agencies typically follow this
approach to focus on analyzing conditions where they have authority to implement
proven crash countermeasures within the public right-of-way. Historically in
Boulder, private property crashes account for about 16% of total crashes, or an
average of 410 crashes per year. Over 90% of private property crashes occurred in
parking lots and only 1% of private property crashes resulted in a serious injury.
While the primary focus of Vision
Zero is to eliminate severe crashes,
it also aims to reduce other types of
crashes. The city wants to mitigate
the inconvenience, frustration, and
costs of being involved in a minor
injury or property damage only crash.
Snapshot of Key Findings
The Vision Zero Boulder: Safe Streets Report, 4th edition 2022 includes a review of the crash data for the years 2018
through 2020, as well as a comparison of these data trends with those developed in prior reports (for years 2009
through 2017). This section provides an overview of crashes and associated trends for this crash data and identifies
key findings to help us understand where and how crashes are occurring and to whom.
The total crashes per year in Boulder have been trending down since 2016. However, severe crashes per year
have remained steady, ranging between 55 to 60 per year except for 2020, which was impacted by the COVID-19
pandemic and had 38 severe crashes. Between 2018 and 2020, there were an average of 1,914 crashes per year,
50 (approximately 3%) of which were severe.
AREAS OF CONCERN
Between 2018 and 2020, there were 5,743 total crashes and 151 severe crashes
(approximately 3% of total crashes). The tables below summarize the percent
of all severe crashes and the percent of total crashes each category represents.
When the percent of severe crashes is higher than the percent of total crashes,
there is a disproportionate, or overrepresented, number of severe crashes
for that category. For example, while only 6% of all crashes involved bicycles,
bicycle crashes were 36% of all severe crashes.
This report identifies overrepresented severe crashes as areas of concern;
mitigations focused in these areas can have the most impact.
4 Vision Zero Boulder | Safe Streets Report, 4th Edition 2022 5
TOTAL CRASHES, SEVERE CRASHES, AND VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED (VMT)
Starting in March 2020, COVID-19 restrictions, remote working, and virtual school significantly impacted travel.
The number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT), total crashes, and severe crashes all decreased compared to
previous years. VMT decreased by 29%, total crashes by 47%, and severe crashes by 33% in 2020 as compared to
the 2017-2019 average.
Some crash types and causal factors experienced trends noticeably different in 2020, as compared to prior years.
Impacts of COVID-19 in 2020
There were fewer
crashes involving
pedestrians overall;
however, the number
of severe crashes
increased.
Total Crashes
Severe Crashes
VMT (Millions)
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
42 48 56 63 50 71 38 60 57 58 55 38
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
1,500
1,250
1,000
750
500
250
0Annual CrashesVehicle Miles Traveled (Million)2,327 2,274 2,316 2,296 2,557 2,429 2,508 2,622 2,423 2,348
2,178
1,217
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there
was a reduction in VMT and a decrease in
overall crashes in 2020.
5% or more increase or 5% or more decrease in percentage as
compared to 2015-2017
Similar to vehicle travel, bicycle
commute travel decreased in
2020; however, recreational
bicycle travel increased. Total
and severe crashes involving
bicyclists decreased.
Crashes involving
people ages 65 years
and older decreased;
however, severe crashes
remained steady.
Severe crashes
involving an impaired
driver decreased
significantly; total
crashes also
decreased.
12%↑
The percent of severe crashes
involving people speeding
increased from 20% (2015-2017)
to 32% (2018-2020).
Modes of 2018–2020
Transportation Severe Total
Bicycle 36% 6%
Pedestrian 18% 2%
Motorcycle 9% 1%
Vehicles 37% 91%
Other 2018–2020
Categories Severe Total
Distracted 7% 12%
Speeding 32% 9%
Impaired 11% 5%
Making Left Turn 34% 16%
2018–2020
Age Range Severe Total
Children <15 5% 1%
Youth 15-19 17% 15%
Ages 20-29 43% 48%
Ages 30-64 10% 19%
Older Adults 65+ 25% 17%
Bicycle, pedestrian,
and motorcycle
crashes have a
disproportionate
number of severe
crashes compared to
total crashes.
Crashes involving
people speeding, people
impaired, and people
making left turns have
a disproportionate
number of severe
crashes compared to
total crashes.
Crashes involving
people ages 15-29
and older adults ages
65 and older have
a disproportionate
number of severe
crashes compared to
total crashes.
Crashes could be coded to multiple categories, so the percentages do not add up to 100%
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CRASHES (2018-2020)
Crash Severity Number of Cost Per Societal Crashes Crash* Cost
Property Damage 4,195 $11,600 $48,469,000
Possible Injury Crashes 971 $71,800 $69,747,900
Non-Incapacitating Injury Crashes 426 $127,600 $54,374,200
Incapacitating Injury (Severe) Crashes 143 $349,600 $49,987,500
Fatal (Severe) Crashes 8 $6,611,100 $52,888,500
TOTAL 5,743 $275,467,100
*Source: Federal Highway Administration, Highway Safety Manual; reported in 2021 dollars
Between 2018 and 2020, 40%
of severe crashes occurred at
signalized intersections. The
following intersections each had
three severe crashes during this
time period:
Foothills Pkwy. &
Arapahoe Ave.
28th St. & Colorado Ave.
Broadway & College Ave. &
14th St.
S Broadway & Table Mesa Dr.
Nationwide, between 2015
and 2019 (2020 excluded due to
COVID-19)
7% increase in total crashes
6% increase in vehicle miles
traveled
3% increase in population
In Boulder, between 2015 and 2019
13% decrease in total crashes
10% increase in vehicle miles
traveled
2.4% increase in population
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), U.S. Census
6 Vision Zero Boulder | Safe Streets Report, 4th Edition 2022 7
Crash Locations
The majority (67%) of severe crashes between 2018 and 2020 occurred on principal arterial (41% ) and minor
arterial (26% ) roadways, despite these street functional classifications accounting for about 17% of total
centerline miles within the city. Centerline miles measure the length of a road or highway regardless of how many
lanes it has.
67% of severe crashes occurred on an arterial roadway between 2018 and 2020
94% of severe left turn crashes occurred on an arterial roadway
77% of severe pedestrian crashes occurred on an arterial roadway
55% of severe bicycle crashes occurred on an arterial roadway
Street Functional Centerline Percent of Total Severe Percent of Total
Classification Miles Centerline Miles Crashes Severe Crashes
Freeway/Expressway 11 3%10 7%
Principal Arterial 41 9% 62 41%
Minor Arterial 33 8% 40 26%
Collector 31 7%14 9%
Local 236 54%15 10%
Multi-use Path 85 19% 10 7%
Total 437 100%151 100%
Yarmouth Ave
Violet Ave
Quince Ave
Norwood Ave
Linden Ave
Kalmia Ave
Juniper Ave
Hawthorn Ave
Iris Ave
Balsam Ave
Alpine Ave
Valmont Rd
Independence Rd
Glenwood Dr
Jay Rd
Kalmia Ave
Mapleton Ave
University Ave
Arapahoe Ave
College Ave
9th St8th St6th St6th St4th St9th St6th St13th St20th St28th St28th St28th St26th StFolsom StFoothills PkwyN Broadway19th St19th StFolsom St30th St30th St29th St33rd St30th St47th St55th St63rd St61sr St51st St55th StEisenhower AveFoothills Pkwy35th St16th St22nd StAurora Ave
Euclid Ave
Cascade Ave
Baseline Rd
Mariposa Ave
King Ave
Dartmouth Ave
Table Mesa Dr
Baseline Rd
Baseline RdAurora Ave
Colorado Ave
Arapahoe AveArapahoe Ave
Canyon Blvd
Hanover Ave
Darley Ave
Emerson AveLehigh StS 46th StS 44th StS 42nd StHeidelberg Dr
South Boulder Rd
Lee Hill Dr 36
36
93
119
36
J u l lia rd St
T a b le M e sa DrK o h ler Dr
Vassar Dr
Greenbr i ar BlvdGillaspie DrL o n g w o o d A v e
Grinnell A veS Broad
w
ay
S B
r
o
a
d
wa
y
Ash Av e
Martin Dr
Moorhead Ave
S p r u ce St
W a ln u t S t
Wa lnu t S t
P in e S t
P ea rl S t
P ea rl S t
C a n y o n B lv d
Regen t DrD iagonal Hwy
26t
h S
t
P earl Pkwy
Walnut St
Pine St
North S t
13t
h St14th St 16t
h St
15t
h St9th S
t Br
oadway20t
h St 23rd
S
tEdgewood D rM a p le t o n Ave
F
o
othills P
k
wy
Mohawk DrInca PkwyManh
atta
n DrCherryvale RdValmont R d17th St!
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Gunbarrel Inset
Crash Locations (2018-2020)
NMile0 0.25 0.5 1
Lookout Rd
Spine Rd
Gunbarrel Ave
Monarch Rd
63rd StN 75th StSpine Rd119
T w inLakes Rd
Number of
Severe Crashes
Number of Crashes
1 - 9
10 - 44
45 - 79
80 - 115
1 2 3
City of Boulder
Limits
Not all crashes were displayed on the
maps due to insucient information /
no latitude or longitude information /
no specic location data
Crash LocationsCrash Locations (2018-2020)(2018-2020)
The number of deaths from crashes
each year has fluctuated since 2015.
Number of Deaths per Year
2015 ZERO
2016
2017 ZERO
2018
2019
2020
Severe and fatal crashes have a
large economic impact on the
community. Continuing work on
Vision Zero is critical to reduce
the overall societal cost.
8 Vision Zero Boulder | Safe Streets Report, 4th Edition 2022 9
Progress and Ongoing Projects
To achieve Vision Zero, the 4 E’s approach helps ensure the city is addressing travel safety from all angles. As an
example, dangerous travel behaviors, such as impaired or distracted bicycling and driving, can be countered through
enforcement efforts and safety education outreach, while engineering treatments can help prevent intersection
conflicts. In many cases, applying all 4 E’s is the most comprehensive way to prevent crashes. The following are key
Vision Zero actions which the City of Boulder is already taking or will be doing in the future.
ENGINEERING
Made progress implementing the Low-Stress Walk and Bike Network Plan through Capital Projects, the Pavement
Management Program, and GreenStreets Program.
Based on Traffic Signal Practices recommendations, made substantial progress implementing pedestrian head-
starts (leading pedestrian intervals or LPIs) and changes to left-turn phasing. Installed additional right-
turn-on-red restrictions where appropriate.
Lowered the default speed limit on local streets to 20 mph through the “20 is Plenty”
project and installed over 400 unique Vision Zero 20 mph speed limit signs.
Created a Vision Zero Innovation Program where staff experimented with lower-cost
and quicker-build safety improvements like paint-and-post curb extensions, hardened
centerlines, pedestrian refuge islands, traffic calming features, and artwork.
Added more green pavement markings to highlight conflict areas between bikes
and turning vehicles, especially along corridors with higher bike crashes (locations
where there were two or more bicycle crashes involving right-turns or left-turns.
Implemented a Shared Streets Program on several key neighborhood streets to
promote walking and biking while restricting vehicle access to local traffic only.
Successfully secured grant funding for several key capital projects, including the
30th St. Vertically Separated Bike Lanes, 28th St. & Colorado Ave. Intersection
Rebuild, and Safer Signals Improvements/Rebuilds.
Planned, designed, and constructed projects funded through the Highway Safety
Improvement Program at Broadway & Rayleigh Rd., Baseline Rd. & 29th St., and
Colorado Ave. & Regent Dr.
Implemented appropriate pedestrian crossing treatments at locations where they are needed.
Successfully delivered many Neighborhood Speed Management Program projects, including the planning,
design, and construction along 26th St. & 55th St.
Select Locations with Improvements Between 2018 and 2021*
Location Improvement
15th St. & Canyon Blvd. Changed northbound and southbound approach lane configuration
to improve operations
29th St. & Baseline Rd. Aligned 29th St. to be perpendicular to Baseline Rd. to enhance
sightlines, added a raised multi-use path crossing 29th St. to slow
left-turning vehicles
30th St. & Arapahoe Ave. Adjusted left-turn phasing to extend protected-only operation
during more periods of the day, changed off-peak left-turn operation
from permitted to protected/permitted
30th St. & Baseline Rd. Converted left-turn signal phasing from permitted to protected-only
30th St. & Pearl St. Adjusted left-turn phasing to extend protected-only operation
during more periods of the day, changed off-peak left-turn operation
from permitted to protected/permitted, and lengthened pedestrian
clearance times
30th St. & Valmont Rd. Converted all left-turn operations to Flashing Yellow Arrows,
adjusted left-turn phasing from protected/permitted to protected-
only during peak travel times
Baseline Rd. & Mohawk Dr. Installed hardened centerline, added pedestrian head-starts,
increased walk time, added an audible push button and associated
extended pedestrian clearance time
Broadway & Baseline Rd. Added an eastbound bike lane on the west leg of the intersection
Broadway & Canyon Blvd. Converted all left-turn operations to Flashing Yellow Arrows
Broadway & North St. Installed pedestrian head-starts
Broadway & Rayleigh Rd. Added signalized southbound right turn lane for vehicles to reduce
conflicts with multi-use path users and high speed rear-end crashes
Canyon Blvd. & Folsom St. Adjusted left-turn phasing from protected/permitted to protected-
only during peak travel times
Colorado Ave. & Regent Dr. Installed pedestrian head-starts, reconstructed south side of
intersection to provide protection for bicyclists, added a vertically
separated bike lane going eastbound between Regent Dr. & 28th St.
Folsom St. between Iris Ave. Enhanced the existing bike lanes with buffers, green conflict
& Valmont Rd. markings, and reduced the speed limit to 25 mph
Folsom St. between Valmont Rd. Added a concrete curb to the bike lanes and updated the
& Pine St. delineators and green conflict markings
Pine St. between Folsom St. Added buffered bike lanes and reduced the speed limit to 25 mph
& 28th St.
Table Mesa Dr. between Added buffered bike lanes, increased buffer and bike lane widths,
Broadway & Vassar Dr. added green conflict markings, and added a green bike box at Table
Mesa Dr. & Broadway
The Vision Zero Innovation Program (VZIP) was dedicated to installing innovative,
quick-build improvements on city streets in 2020-2021 . Due to their significantly
lower cost to implement compared to traditional capital projects, VZIP projects are
intended to accelerate progress toward creating safer streets to help our community
achieve our Vision Zero goals .
Areas of Concern
Addressed
Pedestrian Bicycle Speeding Left Turn Impaired
* This table shows a snapshot of key projects and is not a comprehensive list of all improvements that were done to date. These locations are not all high crash locations identified from the Safe
Streets Report, 3rd Edition 2019; however, the City has been proactive about identifying locations that need improvements through community feedback, traffic trends, and other safety concerns.
Innovative Traffic Calming
Treatment (Speed Kidney)
11
EDUCATION
Developed and cross-promoted multimedia and safety education campaigns
to encourage safe travel behaviors, in collaboration with the Vision Zero
Community Partnership (VZCP).
Shared educational Vision Zero animated videos and targeted safety messaging on
social media to increase community awareness of Vision Zero and safe travel behaviors.
Coordinated with the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) and Google on Vision Zero community outreach.
Three Vision Zero videos (overarching program, distracted, and intoxicated driving) were played at CU football and
basketball sporting events; unfortunately, these efforts were suspended due to the pandemic.
Emphasized crosswalk safety through the Heads Up campaign that focused education and enforcement efforts at
intersections and crosswalks that have high crash rates. In 2018-2019, piloted the use of Snapchat advertising to engage
young community members through CU Boulder student events.
Teamed up annually with Community Cycles and CU Boulder to encourage the use
of bike lights for nighttime riding by giving out free lights starting in November 2018
through the bike light safety program, Lighten Up Boulder. The pandemic impacted this
program in 2020 and distribution events were cancelled; however, community members
could still receive bike lights through individual requests.
Encouraged more walking and biking to school through the Safe Routes
to School program, which included education, engagement activities,
and infrastructure review. With funding from a recent two-year Colorado
Department of Transportation (CDOT) grant (2017-2019), the city worked
with three Boulder elementary schools to:
• develop maps of recommended walking and biking routes to school
• conduct in-school bike safety education
• identify potential infrastructure improvements in a one-mile radius of
each school
• implement Walk and Bike to School Days and a new “Hug n’ Go”
program at Mesa Elementary School
ENGINEERING
Moving Forward: The city will dive more deeply into crash trends identified herein using industry best practices to determine
the most impactful reactive and proactive engineering improvements. These proven crash countermeasures will be
documented in the 2022 Vision Zero Action Plan, and they will be specific, measurable, time-bound, and scalable based on
available resources. Transportation staff will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of engineering treatments.
Select Locations with Planned Improvements
WORK COMMUTE TRIPS • WALKING (2015-2019)
Boulder 11 .1%
Denver Metro 2 .2%
United States 2 .7%
WORK COMMUTE TRIPS • BICYCLING (2015-2019)
Boulder 9 .9%
Denver Metro 0 .8%
United States 0 .5%
Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year (2015-2019)
Boulder has a higher
percentage of
people walking and
biking to work when
compared to other
communities in the
Denver Metro and
United States.
10 Vision Zero Boulder | Safe Streets Report, 4th Edition 2022
Location Improvement
28th St. & Colorado Ave. Rebuilding traffic signal, building a protected intersection for
pedestrians and bicyclists, installing Business-Access-Transit (BAT)
lanes in each direction, and installing landscape buffered multi-use
paths along Colorado Ave. between Folsom St. & 28th St.
30th St. & Colorado Ave. Constructing underpasses on the south and east leg for pedestrians
and bicyclists, building a fully protected intersection for pedestrian
and bicycle at-grade crossings, and installing a vertically separated
bike lane along 30th St. between Colorado Ave. & Boulder Creek
(anticipated construction completion in 2022)
Baseline Rd. & Canyon Creek Rd. Replacing the Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon with a pedestrian
traffic signal crossing and adding a raised median pedestrian
refuge island
Baseline Rd. & Mohawk Dr. Rebuilding signals on the northbound and southbound approaches
and adding protected/permitted left-turn phasing
Broadway & Baseline Rd. Rebuilding traffic signal and providing protected left-turn phasing
Broadway & Regent Dr. & 20th St. Rebuilding traffic signal and providing protected left-turn phasing
Folsom St. & Pine St. Rebuilding traffic signal and providing protected left-turn phasing
Lehigh St. between Table Adding buffers to the existing bike lanes. Adding curb extensions
Mesa Dr. & Cragmoor Rd. and pedestrian crossing treatments
Various Locations Enhancing traffic signal displays for Flashing Yellow Arrow and
(Eight Intersections) protected left-turn phasing
Various Locations Neighborhood Speed Management Program, 20 is Plenty, Vision
Zero Innovation Program, and the Community Mobility Planning &
Implementation Grant Speed Limit Setting and Signing Framework
BOULDER WORK COMMUTE TRIPS & VULNERABLE ROADWAY USERS
Areas of Concern
Addressed
12 Vision Zero Boulder | Safe Streets Report, 4th Edition 2022 13
Photo Enforcement Program
Photo Radar Van
Photo radar vans use an automated camera system used to enforce speed limits . When a speeding vehicle is detected, the photo radar system takes a picture of the driver and the license plate . The registered owner of the vehicle then receives a warning or citation in the mail . Photo radar is operated in a marked City of Boulder vehicle by a specially trained police employee .
Photo Red-Light Camera
Running red lights is a common cause for crashes at intersections in Boulder . Photo red-light cameras take pictures of any vehicles that run red lights, record the time elapsed since the light turned red and the vehicle entered the intersection, and issue citations . The photo red-light systems are installed at key Boulder intersections that have a high number of collisions .
BOULDER POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY DEPARTMENT COORDINATION
Regular department
communication, monthly meetings
Focus on Vision Zero
and NSMP
Participate in Vision Zero
Community Partnership
Participate in
Heads Up
Two primary
vans, one
backup at
180 locations
Eleven
cameras
at nine
locations
ENFORCEMENT
Strategies
Collaborate on traffic enforcement with local and regional enforcement agencies to identify locations that would
benefit from additional enforcement and, where allowed by state law, photo radar (speed) and photo red-light
enforcement. Focus police enforcement on speeding, red-light running, and other unsafe and unlawful activities,
such as failing to yield at crosswalks or come to a complete stop at stop signs.
Use Boulder Police Department resources strategically to achieve results, given
limitations to where each type of enforcement can be used. Use photo radar in local
neighborhoods to issue warnings and citations, which will allow additional officer
resources to be used for arterial speed enforcement, flexible red-light running
enforcement, and other high-risk traffic control violations. Expand the use
of photo red-light enforcement as a highly effective mitigation for the
often severe right-angle crashes that can occur when a driver runs a
red light.
The city installed photo red-light camera technology at one new
intersection in 2019 and two new intersections in 2020.
Focus on anti-DUI enforcement in key locations to address
alcohol and drug-impaired drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Track state and federal legislation related to travel safety
goals, such as supporting state legislation to retain the
ability of local governments to deploy photo red-light and
speed enforcement technology, to prohibit the use of mobile
phones while driving, and to protect vulnerable users, such as
pedestrians and bicyclists.
State Legislation
In December 2019, Governor Polis signed into law Senate Bill 19-175 - Serious Bodily Injury Vulnerable Road User
Penalties. The act makes it a class 1 traffic misdemeanor when careless driving of a motor vehicle is the proximate
cause of serious bodily injury to a vulnerable road user.
In March 2020, Governor Polis signed into law Senate Bill 20-061 – The Bike Lane Bill. This act defines a bike lane in
Colorado law for the first time and establishes that bicyclists have the right-of-way in all circumstances when using
a bike lane. It requires that drivers not drive in, idle in, or otherwise block the bike lane. Drivers or others who block
the bike lane may be subject to a fine of $70 and three points off their license if caught blocking the bike lane, like
other parking enforcement efforts around the state.
14 Vision Zero Boulder | Safe Streets Report, 4th Edition 2022 15
Yarmouth Ave
Violet Ave
Quince Ave
Norwood Ave
Linden Ave
Kalmia Ave
Juniper Ave
Hawthorn Ave
Iris Ave
Balsam Ave
Alpine Ave
Valmont Rd
Independence Rd
Glenwood Dr
Jay Rd
Kalmia Ave
Mapleton Ave
University Ave
Arapahoe Ave
College Ave
9th St8th St6th St6th St4th St9th St6th St13th St20th St28th St28th St17th St28th St26th StFolsom StFoothills PkwyN Broadway19th St19th StFolsom St30th St30th St29th St33rd St30th St47th St55th St63rd St61sr St51st St55th StEisenhower AveFoothills Pkwy35th St16th St22nd StAurora Ave
Euclid Ave
Cascade Ave
Baseline Rd
Mariposa Ave
King Ave
Dartmouth Ave
Table Mesa Dr
Baseline Rd
Baseline RdAurora Ave
Colorado Ave
Arapahoe AveArapahoe Ave
Canyon Blvd
Hanover Ave
Darley Ave
Emerson AveLehigh StS 46th StS 44th StS 42nd StHeidelberg Dr
South Boulder Rd
Lee Hill Dr
J u l l ia rd St
T a b le M e sa DrK o h ler Dr
Vassar Dr
Greenbr i ar BlvdGillaspie DrL o n g w o o d A v e
Grinnell A veS Broad
w
ay
S B
r
o
a
d
wa
y Ash Av e
Martin Dr
Moorhead Ave
S p r u c e S t
W a ln u t S t
W a ln u t S t
P in e S t
P e a r l S t
P e a r l S t
C a n y o n B lv d
Regen t DrD iagonal Hwy
26t
h St
P earl Pkwy
Walnut St
Pine St
North S t
13t
h St14th St 16t
h St
15t
h St9th St Br
oadway20t
h St 23r
d StEdgewood D rM a p le t o n Ave
F
o
o
thills P
k
wy
Moh awk DrInca PkwyManh
atta
n DrCherryvale RdValmont R d!
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NMile00.25 0.5 1
36
36
93
119
119
36
Lookout Rd
Spine Rd
Gunbarrel Ave
Monarch Rd
63rd StN 75th StSpine RdT w in Lakes Rd
Gunbarrel Inset
Number of
Severe Crashes
Number of Crashes
1
2
3
4
1 2
City of Boulder
Limits
Not all crashes were displayed on the
maps due to insucient information /
no latitude or longitude information /
no specic location data
People Walking
People walking are among the most vulnerable users of Boulder’s transportation network. Although
pedestrians were involved in only 2% of all crashes from 2018 to 2020 (about 46 per year), they were
involved in 18% of all severe crashes (about nine per year) in that timeframe. Overall, pedestrian crashes
between 2018 and 2020 decreased in both total and severe crashes since the last analysis years (2015-2017).
77% (about seven per year)
of all severe crashes involving
a pedestrian occurred on
a roadway classified as
an arterial .
Total % (#) Severe % (#)
Within Crosswalk 77% (106) 70% (19)
Travel Lane 20% (28) 30% (8)
Parking Lot <1% (1) 0% (0)
Along Sidewalk/Multi-use Path <1% (1) 0% (0)
Unknown 2% (3) 0% (0)
TOTAL CRASHES 139 27
Since 2009, the three most common — and most harmful— types of crashes involving
pedestrians are:
Pedestrians being hit by
left-turning vehicles
26% of all pedestrian crashes
19% of all severe pedestrian
crashes — about two severe
crashes per year
Pedestrians dashing into
the street and being hit by
a vehicle
12% of all pedestrian crashes
30% of all severe pedestrian
crashes — about three severe
crashes per year
Pedestrians walking across an
intersection and being hit by a
motorist who failed to yield
8% of all pedestrian crashes
19% of all severe pedestrian
crashes — about two severe
crashes per year
1 2 3
Pedestrian CrashesPedestrian Crashes (2018-2020)(2018-2020)
Locations with a high number
of pedestrian-related crashes
include:
Baseline Rd. & Mohawk Dr.:
four crashes (two severe)
Arapahoe Ave. & 55th St.:
three crashes (one severe)
Canyon Blvd. & Boulder
Main Library:
three crashes (one severe)
Areas with a high number of
pedestrian-related crashes:
Central Broadway (from Iris Ave.
to Baseline Rd.): 18% of total
pedestrian crashes
Downtown Boulder: 16% of total
pedestrian crashes
Key approaches to improve
pedestrian safety include:
Adding pedestrian head-start
signal timing at intersections
Adding “No Right-Turn on Red”
restrictions
Using protected left-turn signal
phasing
Adding signage to increase
awareness of pedestrians
Education around pedestrian
safety using social media
campaigns
Within
Crosswalk
Parking
Lot
Along Sidewalk/
Multi-use Path
Total Crashes
Severe Crashes
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
9 11 16
6 11 11 7
15 14
8 8 11
80
60
40
20
0Number of Crashes42 38 45 48
65
48 47
64 58 54 50
35
CRASHES INVOLVING A PERSON WALKING
LOCATIONS OF CRASHES INVOLVING PEDESTRIANS (2018-2020)
Travel Lane
These three crash types account for 46% of all pedestrian crashes and
68% of severe pedestrian crashes.
16 Vision Zero Boulder | Safe Streets Report, 4th Edition 2022 17
People Bicycling
People bicycling are also among the most vulnerable users of Boulder’s transportation network. Although bicyclists were
involved in only 6% of all crashes (about 118 per year) from 2018 to 2020, they were involved in 36% of all severe crashes
(about 18 per year). The number of people involved in bicycle-related crashes has decreased since 2016. Overall, bicycle
crashes between 2018 and 2020 decreased in both total and severe crashes since the last analysis years (2015-2017).
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
17 22 17 25 16 31 17 26 16 20 24 11
200
150
100
50
0Number of Crashes152
177 168 187 173 173 164 194 162 151 136
67
CRASHES INVOLVING A PERSON BICYCLING
Severe Crashes
Total Crashes
Yarmouth Ave
Violet Ave
Quince Ave
Norwood Ave
Linden Ave
Kalmia Ave
Juniper Ave
Hawthorn Ave
Iris Ave
Balsam Ave
Alpine Ave
Valmont Rd
Independence Rd
Lookout Rd
Spine Rd
Gunbarrel Ave
Monarch Rd
Glenwood Dr
Jay Rd
Kalmia Ave
Mapleton Ave
University Ave
Arapahoe Ave
College Ave
9th St8th St6th St6th St4th St9th St6th St13th St20th St28th St28th St28th St26th StFolsom StFoothills PkwyN Broadway19th St19th StFolsom St30th St30th St29th St33rd St30th St47th St55th St63rd St61sr St51st St63rd StN 75th StSpine Rd55th StEisenhower AveFoothillss Pkwy35th St16th St22nd StAurora Ave
Euclid Ave
Cascade Ave
Baseline Rd
Mariposa Ave
King Ave
Dartmouth Ave
Table Mesa Dr
Baseline Rd
Baseline RdAurora Ave
Colorado Ave
Arapahoe AveArapahoe Ave
Canyon Blvd
Hanover Ave
Darley Ave
Emerson AveLehigh StS 46th StS 44th StS 42nd StHeidelberg Dr
South Boulder Rd
Lee Hill Dr 36
36
93
119
119
36
J u l l ia rd St
T a b le M e sa DrK o h ler Dr
Vassar Dr
Greenbr i ar BlvdGillaspie DrL o n g w o o d A v e
Grinnell A veS Broa
d
w
ay
S B
r
o
a
d
w
a
y
Ash Av e
Martin Dr
Moorhead Ave
S p r u c e St
W a ln u t St
W al n ut S t
Pi n e S t
P e a rl S t
P e a r l S t
Can y o n B lvd
Regen t DrD iagonal Hwy
26t
h St
P earl Pkwy
Walnut St
Pine St
North S t
13t
h St14th St 16t
h St
15t
h St9th St Br
oadway20t
h St 23r
d StEdgewood D rM a p le t o n Ave
F
o
o
thills P
k
wy
Mohawk DrInca PkwyManh
atta
n DrCherryvale RdValmont R dT w inLak es Rd
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NMile0 0.25 0.5 1
Gunbarrel Inset
Lookout Rd
Spine Rd
Gunbarrel Ave
Monarch Rd
63rd StN 75th StSpine RdT w inLakes Rd
17th St119
Number of
Severe Crashes
Number of Crashes
1 - 2
3 - 4
5 - 6
7 - 9
1 2
City of Boulder
Limits
Not all crashes were displayed on the
maps due to insucient information /
no latitude or longitude information /
no specic location data
Bicycle CrashesBicycle Crashes (2018-2020)(2018-2020)
Locations with the highest number
of bicycle-related crashes:
28th St. & Colorado Ave.:
nine crashes (one severe)
Baseline Rd. & Canyon Creek Rd.:
seven crashes (two severe)
Key approaches to improve bicycle
safety include:
Adding green pavement
markings and signage to high
crash corridors
Reconstructing intersections to
provide protection for bicyclists
Adding “No Right-Turn on Red”
restrictions at intersections
Using protected left-turn signal
phasing
Organizing programs to educate
drivers on bicycle safety
THE MAJORITY of bicycle crashes
ocurred within a crosswalk or within
another part of the intersection .
Of crashes on a multi-use path or
sidewalk, the bicyclist was legally
riding against traffic about 69% of
the time and about half of those
crashes resulted in a serious injury .
Total % (#) Severe % (#)
Within Crosswalk 63% (225) 47% (26)
Intersection 20% (70) 16% (9)
Bike Lane/Paved Shoulder 6% (23) 14% (8)
Travel Lane 5% (17) 5% (3)
Multi-use Path 4% (13) 16% (9)
Other/Unknown 1% (4) 2% (1)
Sidewalk 1% (3) 0% (0)
TOTAL CRASHES 355 56
LOCATIONS OF CRASHES INVOLVING BICYCLISTS (2018-2020)
SEVERE BICYCLE CRASHES BY STREET FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION (2018-2020)
Percent of Severe Percent of
Total Centerline Bicycle Total Severe
Miles Crashes Bicycle Crashes
Freeway/Expressway 3%2 4%
Principal Arterial 9% 17 30%
Minor Arterial 8% 14 25%
Collector 7%8 14%
Local 54%5 9%
Multi-use Path 19% 10 18%
OVER HALF
(55%, about ten
per year) of severe
bicycle crashes
occurred on a
roadway classified
as an arterial.
Within Crosswalk
Intersection
Bike Lane/Paved Shoulder
Travel Lane
Multi-use Path
Sidewalk
18 Vision Zero Boulder | Safe Streets Report, 4th Edition 2022
People Traveling Under the
Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
People traveling under the influence continues to be a challenge due to the severity of the crashes. Since 2009, the
annual number of crashes involving a person suspected of or charged with a DUI has remained steady, with the
exception of 2020. During the last three years (2018-2020), crashes involving impaired road users were 5% of the
total crashes (about 89 crashes per year), however they were involved in 11% of total severe crashes (about six
per year). Generally, total crashes involving impaired road users have decreased since 2017.
CRASHES INVOLVING AN IMPAIRED ROAD USER
IMPAIRED CRASHES BY IMPAIRED ROAD USER’S GENDER (2018-2020)
Source: ACS 5-year (2015-2019)
71%
Male
Female
29%Male Female
48%52%Male
Female
16%
84%
Impaired
Crashes
Severe Impaired
Crashes
Boulder Population
(age 15+ years)
Total Crashes Severe Crashes
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
4 5 14 9 4 9 7 6 8 10 6 1
150
100
50
0Annual Crashes104 97
114 110 107 105 108 109
129
97 93
76
19
Yarmouth Ave
Violet Ave
Quince Ave
Norwood Ave
Linden Ave
Kalmia Ave
Juniper Ave
Hawthorn Ave
Iris Ave
Balsam Ave
Alpine Ave
Valmont Rd
Independence Rd
Glenwood Dr
Jay Rd
Kalmia Ave
Mapleton Ave
University Ave
Arapahoe Ave
College Ave
9th St8th St6th St6th St4th St9th St6th St13th St20th St28th St28th St28th St26th StFolsom StFoothills PkwyN Broadway19th St19th StFolsom St30th St30th St29th St33rd St30th St47th St55th St63rd St61sr St51st St55th StEisenhower AveFoothills Pkwy35th St16th St22nd StAurora Ave
Euclid Ave
Cascade Ave
Baseline Rd
Mariposa Ave
King Ave
Dartmouth Ave
Table Mesa Dr
Baseline Rd
Baseline RdAurora Ave
Colorado Ave
Arapahoe AveArapahoe Ave
Canyon Blvd
Hanover Ave
Darley Ave
Emerson Ave
Lehigh StS 46th StS 44th StS 42nd StHeidelberg Dr
South Boulder Rd
Lee Hill Dr 36
36
93
119
119
36
J u llia rd St
T a b le M e sa DrK o h ler Dr
Vassar Dr
Greenbr i ar BlvdGillaspie DrL o n g w o o d A v e
Grinnell A veS Broad
w
ay
S B
r
o
a
d
w
a
y
Ash Av e
Martin Dr
Moorhead Ave
S p r u c e S t
W a ln u t S t
P in e S t
P e a r l S t
P e a r l S t
C a n y o n B lv d
Regen t DrD iagonal Hwy
26t
h St
P earl Pkwy
Walnut St
Pine St
North S t
13t
h St14th St 16t
h St
15t
h St9th St Br
oadway20t
h St 23r
d StEdgewood D rM a p le t o n Ave
F
o
o
t
hills P
k
wy
Mohawk DrInca PkwyManh
atta
n DrCherryvale RdValmont R d17th St!
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Gunbarrel Inset
NMile00.25 0.5 1
Lookout Rd
Spine Rd
Gunbarrel Ave
Monarch Rd
63rd StN 75th StSpine RdT w in Lakes Rd
119
Number of
Severe Crashes
Number of Crashes
1
2
3
4
1 2
City of Boulder
Limits
Not all crashes were displayed on the
maps due to insucient information /
no latitude or longitude information /
no specic location data
Impaired CrashesImpaired Crashes (2018-2020)(2018-2020)
Locations with the highest
number of impaired crashes:
Foothills Pkwy. & Arapahoe
Ave.: six crashes (two severe)
Foothills Pkwy. & Valmont Rd.:
four crashes
The 2018-2020 data showed about
38% fewer impaired crashes in the
Downtown area compared to 2015-
2017 data.
Key approaches to reduce
impaired crashes include:
Education for all road users
Enforcement
Special programs with Uber
and Lyft to encourage a safe
ride home
Between 2018 and 2020, impaired crashes involved:
66% alcohol only
11% drugs only
11% alcohol and drugs
5% unknown impaired conditions
Note that the specific type of drugs involved in each crash was not readily available for this analysis, and more detailed
tracking on crash reports of types of drugs involved (such as marijuana) is currently being explored.
57%
road user under the age of 30
24%
road user between ages 30 and 49Male road users are significantly more likely to be involved in impaired crashes.
20 Vision Zero Boulder | Safe Streets Report, 4th Edition 2022
CRASHES INVOLVING A PERSON SPEEDING (2009-2020)
Between
2018 and 2020,
one out of every
three severe
crashes involved
speeding.
A crash is identified as a speeding crash if the officer records driver actions as “exceeded safe or posted
speed” (and road condition was “dry”) or “estimated travel speed was greater than the posted speed limit.”
78%
of speeding travelers
involved in severe
crashes were males.
Ages 20-25
People ages 20 to 25 years old
were at fault in 33% of severe
speeding crashes between
2018 and 2020.
Roughly one in ten pedestrians survive a collision with a vehicle traveling at 40 mph,
versus five in ten at 30 mph, and nine in ten at 20 mph .
“20 IS PLENTY” SPEED LIMITS
Speeding was identified as one of the top causes of severe traffic crashes
in Boulder in the Safe Streets Report, 3rd Edition 2019 and implementing a
20 mph speed limit for local residential streets was a key action in the city’s
2019 Transportation Master Plan and Vision Zero Action Plan . In 2020, the
City of Boulder lowered the default speed limit – or the legal speed where no
signs are posted – from 25 mph to 20 mph . The speed limit on all residential
streets was also lowered to 20 mph . Residential streets make up 70% of all
streets in Boulder . The city is currently evaluating the effectiveness of the
program with the results of the evaluation planned to be presented in 2022 .
Boulder’s Vision Zero 20 mph sign was designed by Transportation staff to
increase visibility by using a larger size and bright colors to highlight the
City’s commitment to the Vision Zero goal .
People Speeding
The number of speeding crashes increased between 2015 and 2018. 2018 and 2019 had the
highest number of severe speeding crashes since 2009. During the last three years
(2018-2020), crashes involving speeding were 9% of the total crashes (about 173 per year)
and 32% of total severe crashes (about 16 per year).
Total Crashes Severe Crashes
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
7 3 10 12 11 2 8 10 13 19 19 11
200
150
100
50
0Annual Crashes107 110 121 108 109 101
147
163
187 204
187
129
More than 400 speed limit and city gateway signs
were updated in 2020 as part of this effort.
21
Yarmouth Ave
Violet Ave
Quince Ave
Norwood Ave
Linden Ave
Kalmia Ave
Juniper Ave
Hawthorn Ave
Iris Ave
Balsam Ave
Alpine Ave
Valmont Rd
Independence Rd
Glenwood Dr
Jay Rd
Kalmia Ave
Mapleton Ave
University Ave
Arapahoe Ave
College Ave
9th St8th St6th St6th St4th St9th St6th St13th St20th St28th St28th St28th St26th StFolsom StFoothills PkwyN Broadway19th St19th StFolsom St30th St30th St29th St33rd St30th St47th St55th St63rd St61sr St51st St55th StEisenhower AveFoothills Pkwy35th St16th St22nd StAurora Ave
Euclid Ave
Cascade Ave
Baseline Rd
Mariposa Ave
King Ave
Dartmouth Ave
Table Mesa Dr
Baseline Rd
Baseline RdAurora Ave
Colorado Ave
Arapahoe AveArapahoe Ave
Canyon Blvd
Hanover Ave
Darley Ave
Emerson AveLehigh StS 46th StS 44th StS 42nd StHeidelberg Dr
South Boulder Rd
Lee Hill Dr 36
36
93
119
36
J u l lia rd St
T a b le M e sa DrK o h ler Dr
Vassar Dr
Greenbr i ar BlvdGillaspie DrL o n g w o o d A v e
Grinnell A veS Broad
w
ay
S B
ro
a
d
wa
y
Ash Av e
Martin Dr
Moorhead Ave
S p r u c e S t
W a ln u t S t
W a ln u t S t
P in e S t
P e a r l S t
P e a r l S t
C a n y o n B lv d
Regen t DrD iagonal Hwy
26t
h St
P earl Pkwy
Walnut St
Pine St
North S t
13t
h St14th St 16t
h St
15t
h St9th St Br
oadway20t
h St 23r
d StEdgewood D rM a p le t o n Ave
F
o
o
thills P
k
wy
Mohawk DrInca PkwyManh
atta
n DrCherryvale RdValmont R d17th St!!
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NMile00.25 0.5 1
Gunbarrel Inset
Lookout Rd
Spine Rd
Gunbarrel Ave
Monarch Rd
63rd StN 75th StSpine Rd119
T w in Lak es Rd
Number of
Severe Crashes
Number of Crashes
1
2 - 3
4 - 5
6 - 7
1 2
City of Boulder
Limits
Not all crashes were displayed on the
maps due to insucient information /
no latitude or longitude information /
no specic location data
Speeding CrashesSpeeding Crashes (2018-2020)(2018-2020)
Locations with the highest number
of speeding-related crashes:
Broadway & Regent Dr.:
seven crashes
Broadway & Baseline Rd.:
six crashes
Broadway & Canyon Blvd.:
six crashes (one severe)
28th St. & Colorado Ave.:
six crashes (one severe)
Broadway continues to experience
the highest number of speeding-
related crashes. Other high crash
corridors include Arapahoe Ave.
and 28th St.
Key approaches to reduce
speeding include:
Installing traffic calming
treatments through the
Neighborhood Speed
Management Program (NSMP)
and the Vision Zero Innovation
Program (VZIP)
Lowering speed limits on
residential streets
Reviewing speed limit setting
and signing practices
Piloting Shared Streets
Deploying photo radar vans,
where allowed by state law, to
conduct enforcement
Installing dynamic speed
feedback signs at key locations
22 Vision Zero Boulder | Safe Streets Report, 4th Edition 2022 23
People Making Left Turns
During the last three years (2018-2020), crashes involving left turns were 16% of the total crashes
(about 306 per year) and 34% of total severe crashes (about 17 per year). This is an increase from 11% of
total crashes and 30% of severe crashes during the 2015 and 2017 time period.
Why Do We Use a Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA)?
Research has shown that a Flashing Yellow Arrow is safer than a green ball due to its color (yellow =
caution!) and due to the flashing movement, which catches the eye and the attention of motorists.
The FYA is now the federal standard and is generally preferred over the use of a green ball to indicate
permitted left-turn movements.
The city typically uses protected phasing under certain geometric conditions (e.g., limited sight
distance) or if there is already a crash trend at a particular intersection. The city also uses protected-
only phasing proactively to reduce potential crashes in instances where there are high volumes of
bicyclists and/or pedestrians or higher speed vehicles regularly using the intersection.
25
24
2
51
6 walking 5 on a bike 13 in a car 1 on a motorcycle
0 on a motorcycle0 walking 14 on a bike 10 in a car
severe crashes involving a left-turn movement (2018-2020):
involved vehicles making a permitted left turn at
intersections with a traffic signal
occurred at intersections and driveways without a traffic signal
occurred when a vehicle ran a red light at a signalized
intersection with a protected left turn
While progress has been made at reducing left-turn crashes at signalized intersections, there has
been an increase in left-turn crashes at unsignalized intersections and driveways since 2017.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEFT-TURN PHASING?
Protected: you turn left while opposing traffic is stopped
Permitted: you turn left when there is a gap in opposing traffic (vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians)
Protected Permitted
In some cases the City uses a combination of protected and permitted
operations at the same signal, and sometimes the signal phasing varies by time
of day to accommodate varying levels of usage.
The intersections are primarily located along arterial corridors, including
28th St., 30th St., Arapahoe Ave., Broadway, Canyon Blvd., Foothills Pkwy.,
and Pearl Pkwy.
The locations were determined using both reactive (crash-based) and
proactive (areas with higher risk) prioritization criteria.
Preliminary evaluation
showed an 87% reduction
in crashes Greenbria r Blvd
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NMile00.25 0.5 1
Gunbarrel Inset
Number of
Severe Crashes
1
2
City of Boulder
Limits
Not all crashes were displayed on the
maps due to insucient information /
no latitude or longitude information /
no specic location data
Yarmouth Ave
Violet Ave
Quince Ave
Norwood Ave
Linden Ave
Kalmia Ave
Juniper Ave
Hawthorn Ave
Iris Ave
Balsam Ave
Alpine Ave
Valmont Rd
Independence Rd
Lookout Rd
Spine Rd
Gunbarrel Ave
Monarch Rd
Glenwood Dr
Jay Rd
Kalmia Ave
Mapleton Ave
University Ave
Arapahoe Ave
College Ave
9th St8th St6th St6th St4th St9th St6th St13th St20th St28th St28th St28th St26th StFolsom StFoothills PkwyN Broadway19th St19th StFolsom St30th St30th St29th St33rd St30th St47th St55th St63rd St61sr St51st St63rd StN 75th StSpine Rd55th StEisenhower AveFoothills Pkwy35th St16th St22nd StAurora Ave
Euclid Ave
Cascade Ave
Baseline Rd
Mariposa Ave
King Ave
Dartmouth Ave
Table Mesa Dr
Baseline Rd
Baseline RdAurora Ave
Colorado Ave
Arapahoe AveArapahoe Ave
Canyon Blvd
Hanover Ave
Darley Ave
Emerson AveLehigh StS 46th StS 44th StS 42nd StHeidelberg Dr
South Boulder Rd
Lee Hill Dr 36
36
93
119
119
36
J u l l ia rd St
T a b le M e sa DrK o h ler Dr
Vassar Dr
Gillaspie DrL o n g w o o d A v e
Grinnell A veS Broad
w
ay
S B
r
o
a
d
wa
y Ash Av e
Martin Dr
Moorhead Ave
S p r u c e S t
W a ln u t S t
W a ln u t S t
P in e S t
P e a r l S t
P e a r l S t
C a n y o n B lv d
Regen t DrD iagonal Hwy
26t
h St
P earl Pkwy
Walnut St
Pine St
North S t
13t
h St14th St 16t
h St
15t
h St9th St Br
oadway20t
h St 23r
d StEdgewood D rM a p le t o n Ave
F
o
o
t
hills P
k
wy
Moh awk DrInca PkwyManh
atta
n DrCherryvale RdValmont R dT w in Lakes Rd
17th StLeft Turn Severe Left Turn Severe CrashesCrashes ((2018-20202018-2020))
Locations with the highest number
of left-turn severe crashes:
Baseline Rd. & Mohawk Dr.:
(two severe)
S. Broadway & Table Mesa Dr.:
(two severe)
Key approaches to reduce left-turn
crashes include:
Using a Flashing Yellow Arrow
instead of a green ball
Adding a protected left-turn
phase in addition to permitted
left-turn phasing
Using protected left-turn signal
phasing
Posting signs to reinforce driver
left-turn yielding to pedestrians
and bicyclists
Using raised crossings and
hardened centerlines to slow
turning vehicles
LEFT-TURN PHASING CHANGES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED AT 25 INTERSECTIONS SINCE 2018
24 Vision Zero Boulder | Safe Streets Report, 4th Edition 2022 25
People Ages 65 and Older
Between 2018 to 2020, people ages 65 years and older were involved in 17% of total crashes (about 324 per year)
and 25% (about 13 per year) of severe crashes. This is a significant change from the Safe Streets Report, 3rd
Edition 2019. Severe crashes involving people ages 65 years and older were overrepresented as compared to the
total crashes and the number of crashes involving people of that age is also overrepresented when compared to
Boulder’s population.
CRASHES INVOLVING A PERSON AGE 65 YEARS AND OLDER
Since 2010, crashes involving an older adult have increased by 89%, while the older adult population has
increased by 35% between 2010 and 2019.
Of the 973 crashes involving people ages 65 and older (between 2018 and 2020):
54% 3%
Total Crashes Severe Crashes
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
7 5 7 12 7 16 1 7 12 15 11 12
400
300
200
100
0Annual Crashes244 201
263 277
344 327
373 356 346
403
380
190
of people ages 65 and older were at-
fault (in most cases driving)
of people ages 65 and older were
walking or biking
CRASHES INVOLVING A PERSON AGE 65 YEARS AND OLDER COMPARED TO BOULDER POPULATION
Percent of Total Crashes Involving
a Person Age 65 Years and Older
Percent of Boulder Population
Age 65 and Older
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
20%
15%
10%
5%
0Percent of Total Crashes10%9%11%12%13%13%
15%14%14%
17%17%16%
10%10%10%10%11%11%11%11%11%11%12%12%
Between 2018 and 2020, people ages 65 and older accounted for 12% of Boulder ’s
population and were involved in 17% of crashes.
“ Boulder County is
experiencing an
unprecedented change in its
population: the proportion
of older adult residents
(people age 60 and older)
is greater and growing
faster than ever before.
Between 2020 and 2050, the
county’s overall population
increase is projected to be
33%. Compare that against
the older adult population
increase of 58% and the 80+
population increase of 244%.
We are getting older.”
Source: Aging in Boulder County Past, Present,
Future Report, September 2019
Source: ACS 5-year (2015-2019)
26 Vision Zero Boulder | Safe Streets Report, 4th Edition 2022 27
Other Areas of Concern
Other areas of concern include crashes involving:
People ages 15 to 19 People ages 20 to 29 Distracted Road Users People Riding Motorcycles
People Ages 15 to 19
Between 2018 and 2020, people ages 15 to 19 years old were involved in 15% of total crashes (about 289 per year)
and 17% of severe crashes (about nine per year). According to the U.S. Census, people ages 15 to 19 account for
12% of the Boulder population.
CRASHES INVOLVING A PERSON AGE 15-19
Total Crashes Severe Crashes
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
2 8 10 7 4 8 8 13 7 13 7 6
400
300
200
100
0Annual Crashes399
356 354 343 327 319 353
393 372 341 317
208
CRASHES INVOLVING A PERSON AGE 20-29
Total Crashes Severe Crashes
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
14 24 26 38 23 33 20 28 28 28 25 12
1500
1000
500
0Annual Crashes1,044 1,030 975 1,039 1,143 1,136 1,207 1,202 1,191 1,160
1,008
580
CRASHES INVOLVING A DISTRACTED ROAD USER
Total Crashes Severe Crashes
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
2 5 1 0 2 4 1 6 4 4 4 2
300
200
100
0Annual Crashes143 170
137
163 169 171 198 206 189
260 237
180
CRASHES INVOLVING A PERSON RIDING A MOTORCYCLE
Total Crashes Severe Crashes
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
9 6 9 7 6 8 2 8 13
5 4 4
60
40
20
0Annual Crashes51
37
45 46
40 39 35
52
42
30 28
16
People Ages 20 to 29
Between 2018 and 2020, people ages 20 to 29 years old were involved in 48% of total crashes (about 916 per year)
and 43% of severe crashes (about 22 per year). According to the 2019 U.S. Census, people ages 20 to 29 account
for 31% of the Boulder population. The number of crashes involving people of this age group has decreased since
2017, yet the proportion of severe crashes has remained the same. This decrease was most notable in when many
students in this age group were not attending school on campus during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Distracted Road Users
Between 2018 and 2020, distracted road users were involved in 12% of total crashes (about 226 per year) and
7% of severe crashes (about three per year). The number of total distracted crashes increased as compared to
2015 to 2017.
People Riding Motorcycles
Although motorcyclists were involved in only 1% of all crashes (about 25 per year) from 2018 to 2020, they were
involved in 9% of all severe crashes (about four per year). Overall, motorcycle crashes between 2018 and 2020
decreased in both total and severe crashes since the last analysis years (2015-2017).
28 Vision Zero Boulder | Safe Streets Report, 4th Edition 2022 29
Other Vision Zero Objectives
In addition to eliminating crashes resulting in serious injuries and fatalities and reducing other types of crashes,
there are three other Vision Zero objectives.
Improve Travel Comfort and Security
Although Boulder already has a well-developed network of facilities for people walking and bicycling relative to
many U.S. cities, it is important to recognize that even one small “high-stress” location can change a person’s
choice of routes or could deter them from choosing to walk or bicycle at all, especially if children are involved.
Feeling secure plays a role in how people choose to travel. The city’s Low-Stress Walk and Bike Network
Plan identifies stressful walking and bicycling conditions and provides recommendations for specific types
of facilities, programs, and routes that would help to improve people’s comfort levels when getting around
Boulder. For instance, this could be adding sidewalks and bicycle lanes to fill in gaps in the existing network or
adding lighting to multi-use paths to increase safety.
Enhance Awareness of and Community
Engagement with Vision Zero
Prioritizing and growing a robust Vision Zero program requires ongoing
monitoring and continuous refinement to city processes, strategic
partnerships, community engagement, and resource investment.
It means enhancing social media engagement and strengthening
relationships with local and regional community organizations and other
municipalities and agencies so that we are integrated and strategic
in sharing our best practices and messaging around Vision Zero.
Committing to Vision Zero means dedicating resources to improve
travel safety and ensuring the program continues to grow in terms of
community understanding and adoption.
Improve Data and Be Transparent
The city collects and analyzes data to understand the transportation
system and support a data-driven approach to addressing crash trends.
By providing clear, straightforward data in a timely manner, community
members will understand how and where crashes occur and how to prevent
them from happening. City staff is currently transitioning the Transportation & Mobility
Department’s crash database to include the state’s new crash report form (DR3447), which
expands the ability to analyze crash data and develop proven crash countermeasures. Good data also
allows us to accurately convey information and trends to the public and helps us brief community leaders
about the progress we’ve made and the challenges that still need to be tackled.
Next Steps
The information contained in the Safe Streets Report, 4th Edition 2022
sets the foundation for important and continued safety work. It will
guide and inform an update to the Vision Zero Action Plan, which will
provide a revised and refocused to-do list of actions within the four E’s
of engineering, education, enforcement, and evaluation that can be
completed in the next few years to work towards achieving the Vision
Zero goals. The action plan update will include more in-depth crash
analyses to identify the tools best suited to mitigate current crash trends
at intersections and along segments. These countermeasures will be
prioritized through a racial equity framework. Performance metrics will be
revised to enhance our ability to measure progress.
One of the goals of the updated Vision Zero Action Plan is to provide a more
specific, actionable framework that will seamlessly integrate into other
interdepartmental work. The revised action plan will also aim to:
Develop and apply an equity index to assess crash trends within the
city relative to social and economic factors, health factors, land use
patterns, etc.
Quantify, categorize, and prioritize improvements expected to be most
impactful at achieving Vision Zero objectives, particularly in the areas
of reducing both severe and total crashes, which have been previously
identified as top priorities.
Estimate the costs and be transparent about the budget needs
associated with both the implementation and ongoing long-term
maintenance of planned or previously installed Vision Zero projects.
Refine performance metrics to more consistently and transparently
track and report on progress.
The updated action plan will be completed throughout 2022.
City of Boulder — Transportation & Mobility Department
1101 Arapahoe Ave . • Boulder, CO 80302 • 303-441-3200
www .bouldercolorado .gov/transportation