Integrating systems thinking tools into Vision Zero and Safe Systems approaches

A Safe System approach requires sustained and strong collaboration among multiple agencies, organizations, and individuals that influence and shape transportation systems. Systems thinking tools provide practical and structured tools for creating and sustaining these types of collaborations, helping partners shape transportation safety-related goals, plans, and actions in a shared manner. In this project, we tailored and supported use of five systems thinking tools (the 5 Rs Framework, Goal and Action Alignment Mapping, System Support Mapping, Balance of Petals Diagramming, and Causal Loop Diagramming) across a variety of transportation-related coalitions and partnerships to help them meet systems-based strategic planning and collaboration goals. We provide descriptions, case studies, how-to guides, and evaluation feedback on all five tools. Through this work, we found that the tools and resources presented in this toolkit can help support Safe System coalitions and partnerships, Vision Zero task forces, and other transportation-related partnerships in developing new partnerships, expanding thinking on points of intervention, conducting systems-based strategic planning, critically examining equity in their work, and establishing coalitions that strategically consider both the benefits and asks of specific partners.