Welcome to newly-inaugurated Mayor Cherelle Parker, City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, and the new and returning City Councilmembers! The Mayor’s 100-Day Action Plan prioritizes a safer, cleaner, and greener city with economic opportunity for all.
We also welcome Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, and all of the new members of the Vision Zero Task Force. Every Philadelphian deserves to get home safely, no matter how they choose to travel. The Vision Zero Task Force is committed to making this a reality.
Mayor Parker calls for visible actions at the neighborhood level. When we make our roads safer, we are delivering Philadelphians the services they demand. A key initiative for 2024 is expanding speed cameras, which were reauthorized on Roosevelt Boulevard and up to five additional corridors and five school zones. Vision Zero is studying the speed camera legislation, and will share more updates soon.
With Winter Driving Awareness Week this month, read PennDOT’s tips on traveling in winter weather. Tell your family, friends, and neighbors to apply to become an Indego Community Ambassador by February 2. Learn more about the Clean Air Council’s mini-grant recipients. And finally, a warm welcome to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia’s new Executive Director, Chris Gale. His team is organizing the Vision Zero Conference on March 22 at Temple University – make sure to save the date!
Program Updates
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.
Pennsylvania Renews and Expands Speed Cameras in Philadelphia
Vision Zero applauds Pennsylvania permanently renewing automated speed enforcement, better known as speed cameras, on Roosevelt Boulevard. Speed cameras are also set to expand to up to five corridors in Philadelphia and as a pilot program in five school zones. The corridor selection process will include speeding and crash data analysis, coordination with PennDOT and the Philadelphia Parking Authority, and community engagement.
Moving the Chinatown Stitch Project Forward with Our Vision Report and Design Selection
In December 2023, OTIS’ Chinatown Stitch study team shared the community vision and released the final Vision Report. The two-block cap (Concept 1) of the Vine Street Expressway was the highest ranked of three alternatives. The preliminary design and engineering will take place in 2024-2025. The City will apply for federal funding for the remaining engineering and construction funds under a new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) program, the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant. If funding is received, the City anticipates that construction could start as early as 2027. Read more in the blog and follow the project page.
Get Involved
Apply to be a 2024 Indego Community Ambassador by February 2
OTIS seeks ambassadors to connect diverse communities to the benefits of bike share. Ambassadors dedicate at least 6-10 hours/month and receive a $2,500 stipend. Apply by February 2.
Apply to DVRPC’s TCDI Grant Program by March 27
DVRPC’s Transportation & Community Development Initiative (TCDI) grant opportunity funds local planning initiatives that advance the goals of the region’s long-range plan, Connections 2050, and enhance the multimodal transportation network. Up to $1.2 million may be available this round. Apply by March 27. Direct any questions or concerns to Spencer Gober at sgober@dvrpc.org.
Upcoming Events
January 22–26: PennDOT/NHTSA’s Winter Driving Awareness Week
January 29: Stop the Bleed workshop at the Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library.
*Save the date!* March 22: Bicycle Coalition’s Vision Zero PHL Conference 2024: Vision Zero at a Crossroads.
Partner Updates
Bicycle Coalition: Philadelphia’s Speed Limit Pilot- And what it means for the City in the future. Over 100 Kids participated in Play Ambassador programming at Lil’ Philly Safety Village in 2023. Successful Season at the Bartram’s Bike Hub.
Clean Air Council: Feet First Philly Funds 21 Public Space Enhancement Mini-grant Projects in 2023-2024.
DVRPC: New Sidewalk and Street Tree Screening Tool for the 9-County Region.
Indego: Businesses can now purchase bulk monthly or annual Indego passes through jawnt! Read tips on how to navigate the cold on two wheels. New stations: 57th & Westminster and 23rd & Master. Also, the Indego station at 13th & Locust is back.
NHTSA: New Safe System Roadway Design Hierarchy for engineering and infrastructure-based countermeasures and strategies.
OTIS: Wrapping Up 2023: Our Major Infrastructure Grants, Millions in Awards, and Plans for the Future.
PennDOT: Winter Driving Tips. Make sure you and your vehicle are ready for ice and snow. You can check the Winter Operations Page and download the Winter Driving Guide (PDF).
SEPTA: New Regional Rail Schedules Effective Sunday, Jan. 7, Bus Stop and Routing Changes for I-95 Cap & Market Street Work Begin Jan. 14.
Streets Department: Streets Department: 2023 Year in Review.
Vision Zero in the News
- ‘This is Definitely a Crisis’: Will Adding More Speed Cameras Make Philly’s Streets Safer? (WHYY)
- Chinatown Stitch Design Selection and Vision Report (6 ABC, CBS 3, NBC 10, Philadelphia Inquirer)
- Why Are American Drivers So Deadly? (The New York Times) and The Rise in Deadly Driving in America (WHYY)
Job Opportunities
- DVRPC Careers: Financial Reporting Senior Specialist, Planning Data Specialist, Transportation Planner, Senior Procurement & Contracts Specialist, Staff Accountant
- DVRPC Internships: Capital Programs Intern, Data Analyst Intern, Transportation Modeling Intern, Transportation Planner Intern.
- Free Library of Philadelphia: Data Analyst, Data Engineer, LEAP After-School Leader, and Library Facility Guard.
- Indego: Field Technician.
- SEPTA: Numerous transportation, skilled trades, entry level, professional, and support jobs.
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.
This is Stephen Baron’s final Vision Zero newsletter, as he transitions to a different role with the City. Tyler Ray, Complete Streets Community Coordinator, will be the interim newsletter manager.
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, February 7 to Tyler Ray at tyler.ray@phila.gov.