Applications are open for the California Safe System Institute for Road Safety

February 25, 2026
Submitted by Katherine Chen, Jessica Prasad, and Lisa Peterson

Applications are now open for the California Safe System Institute for Road Safety (Institute)!

The Institute is a Safe System Approach training and technical support program. It aims to deepen participants’ understanding of the Safe System framework, provide collaborative opportunities within the cohort, and create tangible next steps for institutionalizing the SSA in participants’ organizations.

This collaborative initiative is offered in partnership with the Vision Zero Network and Fehr & Peers and funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

There is no registration cost to participate in the program for those who are accepted. Please note, however, that we are not able to provide travel assistance or reimburse travel expenses.

  • Application deadline: Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT

  • Decision date: Mid-to late April 2026

Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion, and we are working to secure formal continuing education units (CEU) credits to further support your professional development.

Submit your application online via Smartsheet by Tuesday, April 7, 2026. If you require a paper copy, please email casafesystem@berkeley.edu.

Who should apply?

This grant-funded training and technical support program is designed for California professionals in planning, engineering, public works, law enforcement, and public health who are ready to move the needle on Vision Zero in their communities. 

Selected participants will join a cohort of practitioners for a deep dive into "forgiving" infrastructure, kinetic energy management, and collaborative implementation.

Format and learning approach

Principles and elements of the Safe System approach to road safety

The Institute is designed to move beyond passive learning and toward practical application. It brings together a multidisciplinary cohort of professionals committed to transforming the road safety paradigm in their communities. Each session blends focused expert presentations, introductions to relevant planning tools and frameworks, and dedicated, hands-on “Cohort Team” working time.

Cohort Team time is intentionally protected and supported by a designated facilitator who helps guide discussion, maintain focus, and ensure conversations translate into concrete next steps. This applied, peer-learning model ensures participants leave not only with a deeper understanding of Safe System principles, but also with actionable strategies ready to implement within their agencies.

Apply now

To ensure meaningful discussion and strong cohort engagement, participation is limited to 25–30 individuals. We encourage you to share your unique perspective and community goals in the brief application.

Application requirements 

  • Please submit a brief statement of interest (recommended length: 300–500 words) addressing:

    • Your past experience with – or your interest in – learning about and implementing Vision Zero/ Safe System goals and strategies.

    • What you hope to achieve through participation in the California Safe System Institute for Road Safety (e.g., specific skills you want to gain, a project you want to start, or a road safety challenge in your community you want to address).

  • Your ability and commitment to participate fully in the program, including two virtual sessions and one in-person workshop in Berkeley, CA. 

Visit the California Safe System Institute webpage for more information on the program, and email casafesystem@berkeley.edu if you have additional questions.

Submit your application here for the Institute!

Apply here to the California Safe System Institute for Road Safety!

Key commitments

Participants are expected to attend all Institute activities, including: 

  • Virtual pre-session on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 (anticipated 10am – noon PT)

  • In-person workshop on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 in Berkeley, CA (anticipated 9am – 5pm PT)

  • Virtual post-session on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 (anticipated 1pm – 3pm PT)

  • Up to two hours of preparatory reading and/or videos to ensure in-person time is focused on high-level strategy

Scheduling note: Final times will be confirmed via email at least 30 days prior to each session to support travel and calendar planning.

Participants will also be expected to invite at least one colleague to attend the post-workshop session to promote organizational alignment with the Safe System Approach and foster essential interagency and multidisciplinary connections.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Topics