Initiative details
Local authorities play a crucial role in road safety, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists. In Sweden, serious injuries among cyclists have not decreased at the same rate as injuries among car occupants, while pedestrians’ falls account for a large share of severe injuries in the road transport system. Municipal action is therefore essential for achieving Vision Zero and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Despite this responsibility, many municipalities lack a systematic approach to road safety. National follow-up has shown that only a small proportion of municipalities demonstrate a high level of systematic work for safe walking and cycling. Municipalities often focus on infrastructure planning but struggle to integrate road safety into procurement, maintenance, workplace travel, construction projects and communication activities.
Another challenge is that road safety is frequently treated as a standalone issue rather than being integrated into broader sustainability, public health and urban development agendas. Municipalities have requested practical support on how to translate Vision Zero, the Stockholm Declaration and Agenda 2030 into everyday decision-making.
Trafiksäkerhetslyftet (Systematic Traffic Safety Implementation by Local Authorities) was developed to address these challenges by providing a practical framework for systematic, organisation-wide road safety management at the local level.
Despite this responsibility, many municipalities lack a systematic approach to road safety. National follow-up has shown that only a small proportion of municipalities demonstrate a high level of systematic work for safe walking and cycling. Municipalities often focus on infrastructure planning but struggle to integrate road safety into procurement, maintenance, workplace travel, construction projects and communication activities.
Another challenge is that road safety is frequently treated as a standalone issue rather than being integrated into broader sustainability, public health and urban development agendas. Municipalities have requested practical support on how to translate Vision Zero, the Stockholm Declaration and Agenda 2030 into everyday decision-making.
Trafiksäkerhetslyftet (Systematic Traffic Safety Implementation by Local Authorities) was developed to address these challenges by providing a practical framework for systematic, organisation-wide road safety management at the local level.
Initiative date
Who was/is your target audience?
Policy makers
Public authorities
Car drivers – professional
Cyclists
Pedestrians
Topic
Create awareness
Improve vehicles and infrastructure
Knowledge building and sharing
Training
Organisation details
Trivector Mobility
Enterprise
Sweden
Lund
Contact name
Hanna Wennberg
Telephone number
+46708396750
hanna.wennberg@trivector.se
Website link
Project activities
If you work together with external partners, list the most important partners and briefly describe their role.
Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR/SKR), founder of Trafiksäkerhetslyftet and owner of the tool. Represented by Prem Huq (now employed at STA) and Christoffer von Bothmer.
Swedish Transport Administration, a collaboration partner in Trafiksäkerhetslyftet since its early stages. Represented by Richard Wester.
Several Swedish municipalities participated in the pre-study for Trafiksäkerhetslyftet and in the reference group, for example the City of Gothenburg.
Trivector Mobility, the consultancy responsible for developing the tool/materials for Trafiksäkerhetslyftet and the research report on which they are based. Represented by Hanna Wennberg, Malin Gibrand and Sara Malm.
Hanna Wennberg is also connected to Lund University who is coordinating the ongoing research project in which Trafiksäkerhetslyftet is tested and evaluated together with twelve municipalities (Arboga, Hallstahammar, Halmstad, Hammarö, Huddinge, Linköping, Lund, Solna, Sundbyberg, Umeå, Uppsala och Örebro).
Swedish Transport Administration, a collaboration partner in Trafiksäkerhetslyftet since its early stages. Represented by Richard Wester.
Several Swedish municipalities participated in the pre-study for Trafiksäkerhetslyftet and in the reference group, for example the City of Gothenburg.
Trivector Mobility, the consultancy responsible for developing the tool/materials for Trafiksäkerhetslyftet and the research report on which they are based. Represented by Hanna Wennberg, Malin Gibrand and Sara Malm.
Hanna Wennberg is also connected to Lund University who is coordinating the ongoing research project in which Trafiksäkerhetslyftet is tested and evaluated together with twelve municipalities (Arboga, Hallstahammar, Halmstad, Hammarö, Huddinge, Linköping, Lund, Solna, Sundbyberg, Umeå, Uppsala och Örebro).
Please describe the project activities you carried/are carrying out and the time period over which these were implemented.
Trafiksäkerhetslyftet (Systematic Traffic Safety Implementation by Local Authorities) was developed during 2022–2023 by Trivector Mobility on behalf of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR/SKR), following extensive research, interviews and case studies involving municipalities, the Swedish Transport Administration and other stakeholders.
The initiative consists of three main components: a self-assessment tool, a handbook for a dialogue-based implementation process and eight thematic guidance documents covering all major municipal responsibilities related to road safety. These include planning, maintenance, procurement, workplace travel, construction phases, communication and organisational management.
The implementation process guides municipalities through seven steps: establishing a working group, assessing current status, conducting thematic analyses, building capacity, developing an action plan, evaluating progress and documenting results.
Since 2024, the tool has entered a new phase through an ongoing research project involving twelve municipalities. The project evaluates how the tool can support long-term organisational change, strengthen cross-departmental collaboration and improve municipalities’ ability to systematically integrate road safety into their daily operations.
The initiative consists of three main components: a self-assessment tool, a handbook for a dialogue-based implementation process and eight thematic guidance documents covering all major municipal responsibilities related to road safety. These include planning, maintenance, procurement, workplace travel, construction phases, communication and organisational management.
The implementation process guides municipalities through seven steps: establishing a working group, assessing current status, conducting thematic analyses, building capacity, developing an action plan, evaluating progress and documenting results.
Since 2024, the tool has entered a new phase through an ongoing research project involving twelve municipalities. The project evaluates how the tool can support long-term organisational change, strengthen cross-departmental collaboration and improve municipalities’ ability to systematically integrate road safety into their daily operations.
In terms of implementation, what worked well and what challenges did you need to overcome?
A major success factor was the strong collaboration between researchers, municipalities, SALAR and the Swedish Transport Administration throughout the development process. The tool was designed based on identified needs and experiences from municipalities with different sizes, geographical contexts and levels of road safety maturity. This ensured both relevance and usability.
Another strength was the decision to move away from a traditional external audit model towards a dialogue-based self-assessment process. Municipalities expressed a preference for a more flexible and accessible approach that supports learning, ownership and continuous improvement rather than one-time evaluation.
One challenge was that municipalities often view road safety primarily through the lens of infrastructure planning. Integrating road safety into procurement, workplace travel, maintenance, construction management and sustainability work required broadening the perspective and engaging actors outside traditional traffic departments.
A further challenge was creating a tool that would be useful both for large metropolitan cities and for small rural municipalities with limited resources. This was addressed through a modular design that allows municipalities to adapt the process and focus on the themes most relevant to their local circumstances.
Another strength was the decision to move away from a traditional external audit model towards a dialogue-based self-assessment process. Municipalities expressed a preference for a more flexible and accessible approach that supports learning, ownership and continuous improvement rather than one-time evaluation.
One challenge was that municipalities often view road safety primarily through the lens of infrastructure planning. Integrating road safety into procurement, workplace travel, maintenance, construction management and sustainability work required broadening the perspective and engaging actors outside traditional traffic departments.
A further challenge was creating a tool that would be useful both for large metropolitan cities and for small rural municipalities with limited resources. This was addressed through a modular design that allows municipalities to adapt the process and focus on the themes most relevant to their local circumstances.
Evaluation
Please summarise how you have evaluated the initiative’s impact (e.g. social media reach, survey, feedback forms, statistics).
Evaluation has been built into the design of Trafiksäkerhetslyftet. The tool includes a structured self-assessment framework that enables municipalities to assess their current level of road safety management across eight thematic areas and identify strengths, weaknesses and improvement needs.
The development process was informed by interviews with municipalities that had previously used road safety audits, municipalities that had never undertaken such audits and representatives from national authorities and municipal networks. This user-centred approach ensured that the tool responded to real implementation challenges.
The current research project involving twelve municipalities provides a structured opportunity to evaluate implementation processes, organisational learning, collaboration and action planning outcomes. Participating municipalities document their work, share experiences and provide feedback on the usefulness of the tool and guidance materials.
Rather than focusing solely on crash outcomes, the evaluation examines organisational capacity, management processes, leadership, cross-sector collaboration and the integration of road safety into municipal governance. This reflects the initiative’s long-term objective: creating the conditions for sustained road safety improvements.
The development process was informed by interviews with municipalities that had previously used road safety audits, municipalities that had never undertaken such audits and representatives from national authorities and municipal networks. This user-centred approach ensured that the tool responded to real implementation challenges.
The current research project involving twelve municipalities provides a structured opportunity to evaluate implementation processes, organisational learning, collaboration and action planning outcomes. Participating municipalities document their work, share experiences and provide feedback on the usefulness of the tool and guidance materials.
Rather than focusing solely on crash outcomes, the evaluation examines organisational capacity, management processes, leadership, cross-sector collaboration and the integration of road safety into municipal governance. This reflects the initiative’s long-term objective: creating the conditions for sustained road safety improvements.
What has been the effect of the activities?
Trafiksäkerhetslyftet has provided municipalities with a practical framework for translating Vision Zero and Safe System principles into everyday governance and decision-making.
The initiative has increased awareness of the many ways local authorities influence road safety—not only as road managers and planners, but also as employers, procurers, maintenance providers and communicators. This broader perspective helps municipalities identify opportunities that were previously overlooked.
The tool has also strengthened the integration of road safety into sustainability and public health work by highlighting synergies with Agenda 2030 and encouraging collaboration across departments. Municipalities are using the self-assessment process to identify gaps, prioritise actions and establish clearer responsibilities for road safety management.
Although long-term safety outcomes require time to materialise, the initiative has already created a stronger foundation for systematic road safety work. Through the ongoing pilot project, municipalities are developing action plans, improving internal collaboration and building organisational capacity that can support lasting improvements in safety for pedestrians, cyclists and all road users.
The initiative has increased awareness of the many ways local authorities influence road safety—not only as road managers and planners, but also as employers, procurers, maintenance providers and communicators. This broader perspective helps municipalities identify opportunities that were previously overlooked.
The tool has also strengthened the integration of road safety into sustainability and public health work by highlighting synergies with Agenda 2030 and encouraging collaboration across departments. Municipalities are using the self-assessment process to identify gaps, prioritise actions and establish clearer responsibilities for road safety management.
Although long-term safety outcomes require time to materialise, the initiative has already created a stronger foundation for systematic road safety work. Through the ongoing pilot project, municipalities are developing action plans, improving internal collaboration and building organisational capacity that can support lasting improvements in safety for pedestrians, cyclists and all road users.
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
Trafiksäkerhetslyftet is a strong example of road safety improvement because it focuses on the organisations that shape traffic conditions rather than solely on individual road users.
The initiative applies Safe System principles by helping municipalities systematically manage the factors that influence safety, including planning, maintenance, procurement, workplace mobility and communication. It recognises that sustainable road safety requires leadership, governance and continuous improvement, not only isolated infrastructure measures.
The tool is evidence-based, developed through research and stakeholder involvement, and aligned with Vision Zero, Agenda 2030 and the Stockholm Declaration. It translates these high-level ambitions into practical actions that can be implemented by municipalities of all sizes.
A particular strength is its scalability and transferability. The methodology can be applied in any municipality and adapted to local conditions while maintaining a consistent focus on systematic road safety management. By strengthening organisational capacity and creating long-term structures for improvement, the initiative contributes to safer and more sustainable communities.
The initiative applies Safe System principles by helping municipalities systematically manage the factors that influence safety, including planning, maintenance, procurement, workplace mobility and communication. It recognises that sustainable road safety requires leadership, governance and continuous improvement, not only isolated infrastructure measures.
The tool is evidence-based, developed through research and stakeholder involvement, and aligned with Vision Zero, Agenda 2030 and the Stockholm Declaration. It translates these high-level ambitions into practical actions that can be implemented by municipalities of all sizes.
A particular strength is its scalability and transferability. The methodology can be applied in any municipality and adapted to local conditions while maintaining a consistent focus on systematic road safety management. By strengthening organisational capacity and creating long-term structures for improvement, the initiative contributes to safer and more sustainable communities.
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
Trafiksäkerhetslyftet has been disseminated through the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR/SKR), which provides national access to the tool and guidance materials through its public website. The platform makes all components freely available to Sweden’s 290 municipalities and 21 regions.
Information about the initiative has been shared through presentations, workshops and meetings involving municipalities, the Swedish Transport Administration, researchers and professional networks. During development, an advisory group consisting of municipal representatives, SALAR and the Swedish Transport Administration provided continuous input and helped spread knowledge about the tool.
The current research project involving twelve municipalities serves as an additional dissemination platform by enabling peer learning and exchange of experiences between participating municipalities. Results are shared through research presentations, conferences, professional networks and publications.
The initiative is also linked to broader research on systematic road safety management, sustainable development and local implementation of Vision Zero, creating opportunities for both national and international knowledge transfer.
Information about the initiative has been shared through presentations, workshops and meetings involving municipalities, the Swedish Transport Administration, researchers and professional networks. During development, an advisory group consisting of municipal representatives, SALAR and the Swedish Transport Administration provided continuous input and helped spread knowledge about the tool.
The current research project involving twelve municipalities serves as an additional dissemination platform by enabling peer learning and exchange of experiences between participating municipalities. Results are shared through research presentations, conferences, professional networks and publications.
The initiative is also linked to broader research on systematic road safety management, sustainable development and local implementation of Vision Zero, creating opportunities for both national and international knowledge transfer.
