AUSTIN — The Austin City Auditor’s Office released a report in May 2026 examining the city’s pedestrian safety programs, infrastructure investments, and crash data trends. The audit found that Austin has implemented several key pedestrian safety initiatives, including sidewalk expansion projects, pedestrian crossings, traffic signal improvements, and education campaigns.

According to the report, "The City has implemented several key pedestrian safety initiatives to make people safer, but incomplete data, limited funding, and jurisdictional challenges limit further progress." Incomplete or inconsistent crash data limits the city’s ability to accurately identify dangerous locations and deploy the most effective infrastructure improvements.

Many of Austin’s highest-risk roadways are owned by the state of Texas, limiting the city’s direct authority to make roadway changes quickly. Coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) remains essential for implementing improvements along major corridors.

According to city data cited in the report, more than two out of every five pedestrian deaths in Austin involve people experiencing homelessness. The audit recommends improving crash data collection, strengthening coordination among agencies, and prioritizing investments that target high-risk corridors and vulnerable populations.

Austin adopted its Vision Zero policy in 2016 with the goal of ending traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2025. Pedestrian deaths and serious injuries in Austin have continued fluctuating during a period of rapid population growth, increased traffic volumes, and changing travel patterns.

The city has expanded the use of "Leading Pedestrian Intervals," which give pedestrians several seconds to begin crossing intersections before vehicles receive a green light. According to the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, crashes occurring more than a half-mile from a signalized crossing result in serious injury or death 43% of the time, compared to 22% for crashes occurring within one-eighth of a mile of a crossing signal.

City management agreed with the auditors’ recommendations and said efforts to improve pedestrian safety planning and data quality are ongoing.