This month’s newsletter continues a focus on Philadelphia’s transportation “firsts”, Women’s History in Philadelphia transportation, and the Vision Zero PHL 2026 conference. Also, be sure to check out Safe Route Philly’s Spring Training program reminder!
Philadelphia Transportation Firsts
Philadelphia can be proud of the first long-distance paved road in the United States. Per the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), “The privately built Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike Road was the first important turnpike and the first long-distance broken-stone and gravel surface built in America.” The road provided a reliable connection between Philadelphia, the other east coast cities, and Lancaster which was known as the “bread basket” region at the time. All roads lead to Philadelphia!
Women’s History Month
Jaqueline “Jackie” Pettyjohn first set out on her trailblazing path as the first woman locomotive engineer when she was hired by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) on August 22, 1984. In 1985, Pettyjohn was promoted to being the first female engineer on the commuter rail lines after a very rigorous training program. After forty years at SEPTA, in January 2025, Pettyjohn completed her final trip from Philadelphia International Airport to Suburban Station. Civil servants like Pettyjohn clock in every day for decades to ensure a critical public good and safe transportation option continues to function.
The first woman “motorman” in the history of the Philadelphia Transportation Company (PTC) was Dorothy E. Williams. Williams was 23 in 1943 when she joined the PTC, first as a platform guard and then as a motorwoman. There is not much recorded about Williams but she was complimented as “a quiet, efficient operator with a splendid record.”
Vision Zero PHL 2026
On March 12, the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) and Office of Multimodal Planning (OMP), and the Department of Streets participated in the Vision Zero Conference PHL 2026 – a day-long event hosted by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia (BCGP) and featuring local and nationally-recognized speakers and panelists at Temple University.
The conference focused on the theme of “Putting Community First.” Conference panelists and attendees explored the central role of community in advancing Vision Zero goals. Discussion panels at the conference covered many topics related to this theme, including:
- The morning plenary “Shifting Culture, Changing Minds: How Communities Put Vision Zero First” panel explored how the Vision Zero Action Plan applies a Safety Culture framework to behavioral change. Moderated by Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives Christopher Puchalsky, the panel explored different approaches to culture change around traffic safety, including the role of the legislature that shift.
- The afternoon plenary “Looking Back, Looking Ahead: How Vision Zero Puts Communities First” panel dove into specific actions from the Vision Zero Action Plan. Panelists were champions for advancing these action items. Panelists included State Representative Jared Solomon who spoke about balancing community concerns and prioritizing safety in roadway design in the Castor Ave Safety and Streetscapes Improvement Project. Kelley Yemen, Director of Multimodal Planning, shared the City’s efforts to implement the Safe System Design Hierarchy in roadway projects. The Safe System Design Hierarchy is foundational to the Safer Streets and Speeds approach in the Vision Zero Action Plan 2030.
Several break out sessions touched on important actions from the plan like “Walking & Biking Through Philadelphia: 1776 to 2026” and “Quick Fixes & the Long Haul,” which featured Families for Safe Streets member Jasmine Hoffman and her efforts to pass Jay Alert. For the second year, the OTIS team held the annual Ambassador Training at the conference, opening the opportunity to attendees to learn how to advocate in their community for Vision Zero.
Report Abandoned Bikes for the Philly Spring Clean!
In the coming weeks, the City’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems will run a Spring Abandoned Bike Sweep to clear sidewalk clutter and open up bike parking. Bikes left in public areas with two or more missing or damaged parts will be tagged and removed. Bikes that can be fixed will be donated to a local nonprofit so they can be used again.
See an abandoned bike in your neighborhood? Here’s how to report it:
- Use the 311 app!
- Open the app and submit a new request
- Select ‘Abandoned Bicycle’ (second from the top)
- Type in the closest address
- Fill out the required fields
- Click submit!
- You can also report by calling 311 directly or contacting OTIS at otis@phila.gov or 215-686-5552
Your reports help make our streets cleaner, greener and more accessible.
Grants Update
This month, the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) and William Penn Foundation grants were announced. These grants will support a variety of strategic goals found in the Vision Zero Action Plan 2030.
Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TASA):
- Gay Street Staircase Rehabilitation project ($1,500,000) – Restoration and improvement of an approximately century old pedestrian staircase that connects the Manayunk and Roxborough neighborhoods of Philadelphia before it falls into disrepair and risks being decommissioned and closed.
- Tabor Avenue project ($1,000,000, partial award) – This project will add concrete separation to an existing parking separated two-way bikeway on Tabor Avenue between Godfrey Avenue and Devereaux Avenue. The project will also install bus boarding islands and provide pedestrian refuge islands.
- Walnut Lane Sidewalk Gap Closure ($1,500,000) – This project will create safe bicycle facilities on Walnut Lane between the entrance to Blue Bell Park and Wissahickon Avenue as well as on Wissahickon Avenue from Walnut Lane to Rittenhousetown Lane. The project includes a raised mid-block crossing approaching Park Lane on Walnut Lane. This project will also install improved bus stops along Walnut Lane.
William Penn Foundation:
- Indego Bike Share expansion ($424,936) – Indego is a subrecipient of an award with Bike Transit Systems to support strategic planning and community engagement for the next phase of Indego Bike Share expansion.
Safe Routes Philly is bringing back their Spring Training Season!
March’s Safe Routes Shoutout highlights Community Schools Coordinator Greg Wright and The Edward Gideon School. Gideon’s walking school bus was recently featured in a case study published by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. The study highlights how Greg has built the walking school bus from a student attendance initiative to a program positively impacting the whole community. Learn more about the Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center here.
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There is still time to bring Safe Routes Philly to your school this Spring! Check out our blog post to learn more about how you can celebrate Bike and Walk to School Day on May 6.
Upcoming Events
These events include those hosted by our team as well as events OTIS staff or Vision Zero Ambassadors will be joining to share information about Vision Zero with the community.
- March 31, 2026 – Rep. Dougherty’s Senior Expo.
10am – 1pm at the Fox Chase Recreation Center (7901 Ridgeway St) - April 1, 2026 – CUA 3 Concilio Community Resource Fair
11am – 3pm at 2201 Margaret St - April 11, 2026 – Community Fun Day Block Party
12 – 5pm at Boys Latin High School Field (5501 Cedar Ave) - April 12, 2026 – Bridesburg Spring Flight
2 – 5pm at Bridesburg Recreation Center (4601 Richmond St) - April 14, 2026 – Cheltenham Ave Corridor Study Open House
5 – 6:45pm at Wadsworth Library (1500 Wadsworth Ave)
Partner Updates
Clean Air Council
Feet First Philly and Clean Air Council, in partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, have announced the recipients of the sixth round of Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant awards. These 16 projects seek to improve walkability in neighborhoods across Philadelphia. Over 70 applications were received for the Public Space Enhancement Program and came from community organizations, businesses, and individuals from all over the city. Learn more about the grant winners here.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
In “Sneckdowns: What Snow Might Tell Us About Traffic Safety”, Dr. Sara Freed from the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at CHOP describes how snowfall can highlight areas where streets can be redesigned to make them safer for everyone.
https://injury.research.chop.edu/blog/posts/sneckdowns-what-snow-might-tell-us-about-traffic-safety
Department of Planning and Development (DPD)
The City is currently developing a new Trail Master Plan to guide the future of trail planning in Philadelphia. To help develop this new plan, the City seeks public feedback through the Citywide Trails Survey and is recruiting Philadelphia Trail Ambassadors.
Get engaged! The City is looking for Philadelphia Trail Ambassadors to engage with communities that have had less access to trails, have not been fully included in past planning efforts, and who stand to benefit most from the opportunities that trails provide. No prior experience is necessary: training will be provided! The application will close on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 11:59pm. Selected applicants will be notified by May 1 and expected to attend a paid in-person training session with details to be announced. A $600 stipend will be provided. Apply via the Trail Ambassador online form.
Do you use Philadelphia’s trail system? Would you like to use our trail system but there are barriers keeping you from it? Knowing how folks currently use trails, what they want from trails and how they think the existing network should be improved will be very helpful to trail planners, and to the new Trail Master Plan. The Citywide Trails Survey collects this information. The survey is available in 13 languages to allow for the broadest possible participation. Participants who complete the survey will be entered into a random drawing to win one of five $25 gift cards. The drawing will close on Monday, August 31, 2026 at 11:59pm.
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Have an idea for Market East? Share it with the City! From City Hall to the Delaware River, Market East has a grand history, and many Philadelphians have important connections to it. The success of this corridor is important for the city and its future, and public input is essential to our process. The City wants to hear ideas about Market East’s future. Add your idea to the effort by filling out this survey: Market East Revival | Programs and initiatives | City of Philadelphia
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), the Highway Safety Network, and the State of New Jersey launched a multi-state aggressive driving enforcement wave running through April 26. The goal of this targeted enforcement is to reduce the number of aggressive-driving-related crashes, injuries, and deaths in both states. “This enforcement campaign is not about issuing citations — it’s about preventing tragedies,” said Highway Safety Network Executive Director Chris Lengle. “Proactive enforcement by police reduces crashes, injuries, and fatalities. Every stop made by an officer is an opportunity to correct dangerous behavior before it becomes a life-changing event for someone. We urge every driver to do their part: slow down, stay patient, and share the road responsibly. Together, with the support of our law enforcement partners and public commitment, we can make our roads safer for everyone.” The public can join the discussion on social media using the hashtags #BeSafePA and #AggressiveDriving. For more information on safe driving in Pennsylvania, visit pa.gov/dotsafety.
Vision Zero in the News
Philadelphia 
DVRPC Board Approves $17.5 Million for Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Other Projects (DVRPC)
Coming Soon: SEPTA’s New Bus Network (SEPTA)
Open Streets has drawn more than 170,000 visitors and delivered measurable benefits (Center City District)
West Philly’s 52nd Street corridor: city explores safety, transit upgrades (Fox 29 Philadelphia)
New efforts are underway to slow down drivers on Lincoln Drive in Philadelphia (6abc)
Red Light Camera Enforcement Begins at 58th Street & Baltimore Avenue (6abc)
PennDOT to Invest $13 Million to Support Six Traffic Safety Projects Across Philadelphia (Philadelphia Today)
SEPTA Launches Pilot Program to Bring More Real-Time Information to Riders (SEPTA)
Thinking of riding an e-bike in Pennsylvania? Here are the rules first (NBC10 Philadelphia)
The seasonal MLK Drive closures for vehicles start this weekend (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
What We’re Reading 
Mayor Mamdani Announces 15 MPH Slow Zones at All Eligible NYC Schools (nyc.gov)
“Robotaxis Aren’t Coming, They’re Here” helps cities prepare for the future that’s already on their streets (NACTO)
Tesla faces wider probe of self-driving feature as it prepares to sell cars without steering wheels (AP News)
Vision Zero Jobs
School Crossing Guard, Streets Department
Multimodal Community Coordinator, Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems
Join the Conversation
Vision Zero aims to eliminate all traffic deaths and severe injuries on Philadelphia streets www.visionzerophl.com. Follow OTIS on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and help us 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, subcommittees, and community? Send your updates for next month’s newsletter by Friday, April 10 to Virginia Lynn at virginia.lynn@phila.gov.