Introduction: Lighting the Path to Zero Fatalities
Across the U.S., communities are committing to Vision Zero—a nationwide initiative to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries. But Vision Zero is more than a program. It’s a fundamental shift in how we approach road safety, grounded in the Safe System approach.
The Safe System model, adopted by the Federal Highway Administration, recognizes a basic truth: humans make mistakes, and those mistakes should not be fatal. Instead of relying solely on behavior change or enforcement, this model calls for proactive, human-centered infrastructure—such as well-designed roads, safe speeds, and reliable lighting—to prevent severe outcomes.
That’s where Fonroche Lighting America comes in. Our grid-free, full-night solar street lighting systems are helping cities and counties take immediate action, especially in underserved neighborhoods, pedestrian corridors, and high-risk intersections. We don’t just sell lights—we support communities in building a safer, more equitable future.
Table of Contents
The Role of Lighting in Vision Zero
Lighting is one of the most powerful tools in the Safe System toolkit. Why? Because visibility directly influences safety outcomes—especially for pedestrians and cyclists.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, adding lighting to roadways can reduce nighttime crashes by up to 42%. Further, over 75% of pedestrian fatalities occur after dark, even though only about 25% of vehicle travel happens at night.
When designed intentionally, lighting improves:
- Driver awareness of crosswalks and intersections
- Pedestrian confidence and visibility
- Reaction time for everyone on the road
That’s why effective, reliable, and well-placed street lighting is a critical element in designing Safe System roadways.
Lighting and the Safe System Approach
The Safe System approach is built on six principles:
1. Deaths and serious injuries are unacceptable
2. Humans make mistakes
3. Humans are vulnerable
4. Responsibility is shared
5. Safety is proactive
6. Redundancy is crucial
Lighting contributes to multiple Safe System elements, especially safe speeds, safe roads, and safe users. It helps cities anticipate and mitigate human errors by reducing crash severity, illuminating conflict zones, and protecting vulnerable road users—all without requiring behavior change.
How Fonroche Solar Street Lights Align with Vision Zero Goals
A. Safety First: Illuminate Conflict Zones and Vulnerable Areas
Fonroche’s solar lighting systems operate completely off the grid and are engineered for full-night, year-round illumination, even during extreme weather or power outages. Each unit includes smart optics and adaptive lighting settings tailored to areas where safety matters most—crosswalks, bike paths, school zones, and more.
Our patented SmartLight technology ensures targeted light distribution, motion activation, and glare control, improving both visibility and safety. This allows municipalities to illuminate high-risk areas immediately, without trenching or waiting for utility approvals.
Learn more about how our systems are revolutionizing urban safety with visibility-enhancing solar lighting.
B. Advancing Equity Through Infrastructure
A core tenet of both Vision Zero and the Safe System approach is equity—ensuring safe mobility for all, regardless of zip code, income level, or access to infrastructure.
Many low-income neighborhoods lack street lighting due to the cost and logistical complexity of grid expansion. Fonroche solves this by offering grid-free solar lighting systems that are installed in hours, not months, with no reliance on underground wiring or utility delays.
Take Clark County, Nevada, where widespread copper theft and infrastructure gaps left entire neighborhoods in the dark. Fonroche delivered off-grid, tamper-proof lighting that restored safety and community confidence without waiting on grid repairs.
“There’s neighborhoods that have been complaining for years. Just getting the crews together to fix their lights is incredibly slow. This solves that.”
— Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom
C. A Systemic, Sustainable Solution
Traditional safety strategies often emphasize individual responsibility—education, enforcement, and behavior change. But the Safe System approach flips the script: we must design roads to protect people, even when they make mistakes.
Fonroche’s autonomous solar street lights are:
- Built for 10+ years of maintenance-free operation
- Vandal-proof with no external wiring to steal
- Backed by rigorous climate and battery testing to ensure consistent light, even during severe weather
This isn’t a band-aid. It’s a long-term, systemic solution to infrastructure challenges, particularly in communities that have been historically underserved.
D. Public Health, Climate, and Sustainability
Vision Zero isn’t just about traffic—it’s about public health, clean air, and sustainable city planning. Fonroche lighting contributes to:
- Carbon-free illumination, powered by renewable energy
- No energy bills or utility consumption
- Reliable lighting during grid outages
- Safe, walkable environments that promote community engagement and reduce vehicle dependency
From residential streets to high-speed roadways, Fonroche’s systems reduce emissions, enhance visibility, and align with the Safe System goal: zero fatalities, zero excuses.
Proven Results: Safer Communities Powered by the Sun
Las Vegas, NV – East Side
Faced with rampant copper wire theft and repair delays, Clark County deployed Fonroche solar lights in high-crime, underlit neighborhoods. The result: zero reliance on copper, zero trenching, and restored community safety in days—not months.
See how Las Vegas is tackling infrastructure failures with solar.
Albuquerque, NM – International District
In high-pedestrian areas called “conflict zones,” the City of Albuquerque turned to Fonroche to boost safety and visibility. Our lights were installed near schools, intersections, and corridors prone to crashes—especially after dark.
“We want to create light at these conflict zones… so that intersections are safe.”
— Dan Mayfield, City of Albuquerque
Why Cities Must Think Beyond the Grid
Grid-tied lighting often comes with costly trenching, utility delays, and infrastructure vulnerability. For cities trying to meet Vision Zero benchmarks, that’s a systemic roadblock.
Fonroche solar lighting offers:
- Rapid deployment in days—not months
- No copper wiring = no theft risk
- Zero electricity bills or utility constraints
- Ownership and control by the municipality
Whether you’re planning a downtown corridor or a rural road upgrade, our systems give you the tools to act now—not years from now.
See how we’re lighting roundabouts, intersections, and corridors with precision-engineered solar systems designed for safety at every turn.
The Next Step Toward Zero: Infrastructure That Saves Lives
Communities across the country are grappling with a preventable crisis: tens of thousands of lives lost each year on our streets. Vision Zero offers a path forward—but real progress requires more than policy declarations. It demands decisive investment in infrastructure that protects people by design.
Lighting is one of the most immediate, measurable, and equitable tools cities can deploy to reduce fatalities—especially in areas with limited resources, unreliable grid access, or urgent safety needs.
At Fonroche Lighting America, we help communities act without delay. Our solar street lighting systems are engineered for rapid deployment, long-term resilience, and full alignment with Safe System principles. With over 1000 municipal customers across 43 states, we understand the operational, fiscal, and political realities of delivering public infrastructure at scale.
Whether you are a city planner, tribal leader, transportation director, or federal agency, we invite you to explore how grid-free lighting can support your Vision Zero strategy.
Let’s build the infrastructure to match our safety goals.
Contact our team to discuss your community’s needs, timelines, and opportunities.