Roadway safety plan receives broad community support

A survey focused on the safety of Idaho’s roadways has had a favorable response from the community, leading to an update in planning.

The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) recently shared an update on its Regional Safety Action Plan (RSAP), which includes key findings from the transportation safety survey it conducted earlier this year.

The results of that survey can be found online at compassidaho.org/safety.

Of the 400 respondents to the survey, COMPASS reported that 84% agreed that zero deaths or serious injuries is the right goal for the RSAP. Sixty-six percent said that zero is the annual acceptable number for deaths on Treasure Valley roadways. And 71% said they were willing to add a moderate to significant amount of time to their daily commutes if it meant safer roadways.

Public transit was thought to be the safest method of travel throughout the valley, while driving a personal vehicle was thought to be the second safest method. Carpooling came in third, walking fourth, bicycling fifth.

“COMPASS and our partners have made a significant effort over the past year to develop a robust and actionable Regional Safety Action Plan that reflects the community’s concerns and priorities for transportation safety in the Treasure Valley,” said Hunter Mulhall, principal planner for the agency and project manager for the RSAP. “We are excited to share an update on the plan with our community as we work to establish the RSAP as an effective catalyst to making roadways safer throughout Ada and Canyon Counties.”

A Safe Streets and Roads for All planning grant was awarded in 2023 to COMPASS, providing the needed resources to create the RSAP.