MPS applauds the decade-long analysis and its recognition of Somerville as a national Vision Zero leader

 

Municipal Parking Services (MPS) today praised LivableStreets Alliance for publishing its 2026 Vision Zero Progress Report, a thoughtful, data-driven assessment of a decade of work to reduce serious and fatal crashes in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville. The report concludes that sustained Vision Zero commitments produce meaningful results and recognizes Somerville as a national leader after three consecutive years without a fatal crash and a 50% decrease in serious injury crashes in 2025. Its findings and recommendations provide a valuable resource for communities working to make streets safer for everyone.

The report’s value extends beyond documenting Somerville’s progress. Drawing on crash data and policy from 2015 through 2025, LivableStreets provides a candid assessment of what has worked, where progress has been uneven and what should come next in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville. Most importantly, the report finds that Vision Zero produces meaningful results when cities combine public commitment and action plans with the consistent application of a safe systems approach.
For Somerville, LivableStreets attributes progress to consistent political leadership across three mayoral administrations, lower speed limits, safer street design, traffic-calming investments, transparent community engagement and close coordination among city departments and state agencies. The report also highlights the city’s investment in the operations needed to support redesigned streets, including a project manager added to the Parking Department in 2023 to help manage reduced curb access.

“The LivableStreets Alliance report offers a thoughtful and valuable assessment of what cities can achieve through sustained leadership, safer street design, lower speeds and meaningful community engagement,” said Rob Matthews, vice president of sales and business development at MPS. “We applaud LivableStreets for documenting Somerville’s progress, identifying the work that remains and providing a useful resource for communities pursuing Vision Zero goals.”

The report recommends continued investment in traffic calming and safer street design. It also calls on Somerville to prioritize reducing car trips and vehicle miles traveled and to keep safety at the center of the McGrath Highway and other state-owned roadway projects. The report notes that injuries, particularly those involving bicyclists, remain a concern even as the city builds on its progress.

Separately, MPS has supported Somerville’s broader street safety work since 2023 by helping the Parking Department improve parking compliance at bus stops and other restricted curb zones. That work represents one small part of the city’s comprehensive and collaborative Vision Zero strategy.

MPS encourages municipal leaders, transportation professionals and community partners to read the full 2026 Vision Zero Progress Report and use its findings to inform local Vision Zero strategies.

About Municipal Parking Services
Municipal Parking Services Inc. (MPS) is a pioneer in AI-driven enforcement and compliance technologies. Since 2013, MPS has leveraged its unique platform to deliver cloud-connected parking and safety solutions that reduce illegal parking, increase compliance, and improve safety outcomes. MPS solutions use embedded AI to automate license plate recognition, dynamic pricing, zone monitoring, and enforcement, creating safer, smarter communities. The company partners with leading safety organizations, including Vision Zero, IPMI, IACLEA, and IACP. Headquartered in Austin, Texas. Learn more at www.mpspark.com.

Media Contact
Rob Matthews
Municipal Parking Services (MPS)
www.mpsintelligentinfrastructure.com