Anchorage planners seek a new look at why traffic deaths haven't dropped

Anchorage transportation planners will ask a technical committee Thursday to back a new look at why the area's traffic deaths haven't gone down.

People walking or biking were involved in 49% of the area's fatal crashes from 2016 through 2025, though they make up about 6% of commute trips, according to a draft progress report from Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions, or AMATS, the area's transportation planning agency. Of the 98 people killed while walking or biking, 91 were pedestrians and seven were bicyclists.

Over the decade, deaths of people walking or biking rose while motorist deaths fell, leaving the overall death rate roughly flat, the report says.

Darkness and winter driving have been seen as reasons more pedestrians and bicyclists die in the fall. The report says other factors may now be becoming more important, and the update would look at what is behind the deaths.

A slide from Emily Weiser, AMATS senior planner and non-motorized coordinator, puts Anchorage's pedestrian death rate at 5.2 per 100,000 people. Memphis topped Smart Growth America's 2026 national ranking at 5.5.

The report also tracks AMATS' 2024 Safety Plan. Two of its 17 actions are complete. Nine of its 22 priority corridors have no work scheduled, including Debarr Road and part of Northern Lights Boulevard, two of the plan's top five. The Vision Zero coordinator position has been vacant for more than a year.

The AMATS Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee counted 15 pedestrians killed in 2024, a record.

The update would cost $250,000, set aside for 2027, and is targeted for completion in October 2028, according to Weiser's memo to the committee. A consultant would review what has helped or hindered progress under the 2024 plan, and planners would map where serious crashes are likely and write a five-year action plan. Residents would get a survey and open houses in Anchorage and Eagle River-Chugiak.

The committee meets at 1 pm Thursday in person and online, and takes public comment on the plan, according to the agenda.