Author ORCID Identifier
0009-0002-7358-6164
Defense Date
2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Public Policy & Administration
First Advisor
Sarah Jane Brubaker
Second Advisor
Luisa Nazareno
Third Advisor
Meghan Gough
Fourth Advisor
Erin Brown
Abstract
As both pedestrian and cyclist fatalities have risen over the past 15 years, urban transportation policymakers have been slow to react to a growing demand for policies that prioritize the safety of these road users on urban streets across the United States. While urban policy literature consistently points to promising policy solutions to meet these challenges, little research has been conducted to understand why such policies are (or are not) adopted by local governments, and what role advocacy organizations play in that process. What research does exist on this topic generally lacks a consistent theoretical framework and does not use advanced statistical methods to compare localities to each other on an even playing field. Utilizing the Advocacy Coalition Framework as the foundation for an innovative conceptual framework, this study aims to fill that gap by assessing the role that advocacy organizations, specifically the U.S.-based Vision Zero Network, play in winning the inclusion of pedestrian and cyclist friendly urban transportation policies consistent with the Safe Systems Approach in the policy process of local governments. Using a staggered difference in differences approach with administrative data from the Vision Zero Network, the American Community Survey, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, an empirical analysis finds evidence of success among Vision Zero localities in mitigating cyclist fatalities when compared with similar non Vision Zero localities. Pedestrian and vehicle occupant fatalities do not show statistically significant results. Additionally, statistically significant evidence is found in logit multivariate regression analysis for greater success among Vision Zero localities in winning recently created grant funding aimed specifically at supporting the implementation of Safe Systems Approach strategies through the new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) federal grant program. Robustness checks indicate that cyclist fatality results are relatively strong but should be interpreted as early indicators of success rather than causal proof, while SS4A grant results are consistently strong and statistically significant across models. Discussion of results in the context of existing literature on Vision Zero, the policy process, and the Advocacy Coalition Framework adds to the body of research and provides new and meaningful insights for urban and regional policy academics and practitioners alike.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
4-29-2026
Included in
Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation Commons, Public Administration Commons, Public Policy Commons, Transportation Commons, Urban Studies Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons