City of Amarillo, Texas Planning Department

The City of Amarillo’s Planning Department has launched its Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Plan, a community-driven initiative aimed at making local roadways safer and more equitable. Funded through a U.S. Department of Transportation planning grant, the initiative set an ambitious target: reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 35% by 2035.

The foundation of the plan was extensive public engagement. More than 6,900 comments were gathered through surveys, interactive maps, pop-up events, open houses, and online platforms, making it one of the most comprehensive outreach efforts in the city’s history, Residents from across Amarillo, including youth, seniors, transit riders, and people from historically underserved neighborhoods, shaped priorities such as safer school zones, improved pedestrian infrastructure, and targeted traffic calming in high-risk areas.

Using this feedback alongside crash data, planners identified a High Injury Network, where 11% of streets account for 85% of severe crashes. This approach allowed the city to focus on corridors with the greatest need, ensuring resources would have the most significant impact.

Collaboration was another hallmark of the effort. A task force comprising city departments, elected officials, the Texas Department of Transportation, Amarillo College, school districts, and the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission collaborated to guide the plan. Their coordination has already yielded results: three projects identified in the plan have secured funding, while three more are currently under active grant consideration. All are shovel-ready, with designs and cost estimates in place, positioning Amarillo to compete for additional federal and state dollars.

Beyond infrastructure, the SS4A Plan transformed how residents view civic processes. Community members saw their input directly shape policies and projects, which helped build trust and foster momentum for future initiatives. Planning staff, once viewed primarily as technical experts, became visible partners working toward equity and safety.

By combining data, broad engagement, and strong collaboration, Amarillo’s SS4A Plan is more than a roadmap for safer streets—it’s a model for how planning can strengthen trust, save lives, and create a city where every resident has the opportunity to arrive home safely.