Happy Black History Month from all of us from Vision Zero! As February draws to a close, join us as we honor the accomplishments of Black visionaries in transportation who positively changed how we move around our cities and towns. From Matthew Cherry, the inventor of the bicycle, to Civil Rights icons who fought for equality on transit like Rosa Parks, to trailblazers like Carmen Turner and Sharon Banks who were amongst the first Black Women in the nation to lead transit departments. You can read more about Black History in Transportation here.
The City of Philadelphia recently announced that it has updated its platform to request traffic calming measures to be easier to access and simpler to navigate. The new platform can be accessed online here or residents can call 311. This new platform was designed to be simpler, more direct, efficient, and equitable.
On Friday, March 22nd the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia will be hosting the Vision Zero at a Crossroads conference at the Temple University Student Center (1755 N. 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19122). The full-day conference will include discussions on meeting today’s challenges and expanding the Vision Zero program. Please sign up here to attend!
The Vision Zero team is proud to announce that we’ll be recruiting Vision Zero Ambassadors for Summer of 2024! Do you want to make a positive impact in your neighborhood? Are you passionate about the safety of your community? Advocate for the importance of safe and complete streets by filling out the application form online: it will be open from March 1st to March 31st. You can sign up here!
Program Updates
Streets Launches New Website for Residents to Request Traffic Calming
The City of Philadelphia Department of Streets has updated its traffic calming request process to serve residents with a better user experience and a more predictable review and implementation system that maximizes City assets. The program was redesigned to better deliver equitable, transparent, prompt, and citizen-driven action through the use of Philly311 both online and by phone.
Shapiro Administration Invests $19.3 Million for Traffic Safety Projects Across Philadelphia
Governor Shapiro announced multiple investments from PennDOT to support citywide traffic safety improvements – specifically, $4 million from the Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) program and $19.3 million from the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program. “The funding from both programs will allow the City to advance multiple important traffic projects that prioritize safety for all modes of transport,” said Mike Carroll, Deputy Managing Director for the City’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (OTIS).
DVRPC Launches Regional Vision Zero Program
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission recently kicked off the Regional Vision Zero (RVZ) program. The DVRPC and its 9 county partners formally adopted Regional Vision Zero 2050 to achieve zero crash deaths by 2050. This past year, the DVRPC won a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) planning grant to develop the RVZ action plan. The RVZ safety action plan is a data-driven process that seeks to understand where high severity crashes pose the greatest threat, and develop research-supported recommendations for improving roadway safety. The plan also includes an equity analysis, and recommendations for policy and process changes.
Safe Routes Philly Gets Students Active in School Year’s Second Half
Safe Routes Philly is ready to get students active in the second half of the school year. Educators, staff, and caregivers can request copies of our lesson plans, activity books, and additional resources. Safe Routes Philly is dedicated and to having each Philadelphia student start the day on the right foot. Visit the Safe Routes Philly website at https://www.phila.gov/programs/safe-routes-philly/ or email us at SafeRoutesPhilly@phila.gov.
Get Involved
Vision Zero Ambassador 2024 Applications Open March 1
Apply to become a Vision Zero Community Ambassador! Selected ambassadors will receive training as well as ongoing support and guidance from City staff during their ambassador engagement period (May-September 2024). For their time and effort, Vision Zero Ambassadors will receive a stipend of $1,500 upon completion of the program. People who are well-connected to lower-income communities and communities of color are encouraged to apply!
Get Involved with the Regional Climate Plan
DVRPC is coordinating the first Climate Action Plan for the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Metropolitan Statistical Area (Philadelphia MSA). We need your input to ensure we are focused on the most important types of projects for the region.
Suggest a Station- Indego
Indego is growing! Over the next five years, our system will expand significantly to new parts of the city, as well as infill stations in existing neighborhoods to make using Indego even more convenient. We are looking for feedback on where you would like to see new stations.
Upcoming Events
Come visit the Vision Zero table at these events!
- March 9: Annual Block Captain’s Rally
(hosted by Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee) - March 14: DVRPC’s Public Participation Task Force Meeting on Improving Pedestrian and Cyclist Experience Through Data and Design [virtual]
- March 16-17: Philly Bike Expo
- March 22: Vision Zero PHL Conference: Vision Zero at a Crossroads.
Partner Updates
Bicycle Coalition
Making FDR Park Safer for Bicyclists & Pedestrians: the Bicycle Coalition’s recommendations https://bicyclecoalition.org/making-fdr-park-safer-for-bicyclists-and-pedestrians-our-proposed-changes/
CHOP
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s virtual driving assessment was recently featured in the Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/this-test-can-tell-how-likely-a-young-driver-is-to-crash-4eb692bf
DVRPC
DVRPC recently awarded $15.5 million for bicycle and pedestrian projects in Southeastern Pennsylvania, including three projects in Philadelphia: https://www.dvrpc.org/news/2024/15-5-million-for-bicycle-and-pedestrian-projects/
Indego
Newly installed stations at Thompson & Franklin, 11th & Wood, and 24th & Jackson
OTIS
What to Know About the Intercity Bus Carrier Relocation, Our Tribute to the Life of Beloved Public Servant Rina Cutler.
PennDOT
Highway Safety Law Awareness Week (Sunday, February 18 – Saturday, February 24) No matter how you use the road – whether driving, riding, walking, or biking – you must do your part to keep everyone safe.
Vision Zero in the News
- Want speed cushions on your street? Philly is making it easier to request them (WHYY)
- Philly pedestrian hit-and-run deaths at ‘all time high’ once again (NBC10)
- Philly’s new energy-saving LED streetlights may reduce crime and fatal crashes. But what about light pollution? (Inquirer)
- Philadelphia’s LED streetlight rollout is an energy win that is not without its drawbacks (Grid)
- SEPTA Key cards can pay for multiple riders starting Monday (Philly Voice)
Join the Conversation
Vision Zero aims to eliminate all traffic deaths and severe injuries on Philadelphia streets by 2030, while increasing safety, health, and mobility for all. To learn more about Vision Zero, visit www.visionzerophl.com. Follow OTIS on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and help us to share safety messages with your networks using the hashtag #VisionZeroPHL.
Do you have events, accomplishments, or calls to action to share with the Vision Zero Task Force and subcommittees? Send your next month’s updates by Wednesday, March 6th to Cole Appelman at Nicholas.Appelman@phila.gov