Office of Multimodal Planning and Vision Zero Task Force directed to deliver roadway network that reflects the Mayor’s commitment to a clean, green and safe city 

PHILADELPHIA – Today, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker signed an executive order recommitting Philadelphia to the goal of reaching zero traffic deaths at a reception on the eve of Vision Zero PHL 2024, the program’s annual conference.

“Every Philadelphian deserves to be able to navigate the city – whether that be by foot, public transit, bicycle, or personal vehicle – and get home safely,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “We are making a commitment to all Philadelphians that this administration will improve road safety and save lives from being lost to senseless traffic violence.”

One of the first tasks for the Office of Multimodal Planning (formerly Office of Complete Streets) will be to update the High Injury Network (HIN). The HIN includes the 12 percent of streets that account for 80 percent of fatal and serious injury crashes.

The order directs the Office of Multimodal Planning to assist the Department of Streets in developing, reviewing, and publishing all checklists called for in the City’s Complete Streets ordinance from 2013. The order focuses on strategies that will eliminate fatal crashes as quickly as possible, in support of the Regional Vision Zero 2050 goal.

Other provisions include setting a goal of programming safety improvements to every mile of the HIN by 2030 and working with the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) to educate students about traffic safety.

“This executive order signals a recommitment and renewed focus for the City to execute on the values and goals of Vision Zero,” said Michael Carroll, Deputy Managing Director for the City’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure. “We are proud to stand with Mayor Parker as the administration takes a big step toward addressing traffic safety and therefore the general wellbeing of all Philadelphians, regardless of transportation mode. Together, we are making the changes needed to deliver on the Mayor’s vision for a cleaner, greener, and safer city, with economic opportunity for all.”

In 2023, 120 people lost their lives on Philadelphia’s streets. Speeding and aggressive driving rose after 2020 and continue to lead to far more fatalities each year than the pre-pandemic trend. People walking and biking are particularly vulnerable in a crash with a speeding driver and the growing share of these crashes is troubling.

Traffic safety is an equity issue. Longstanding disparities in traffic deaths are worsening. Before 2020, Black and Hispanic Philadelphians accounted for a disproportionate share of traffic deaths. Since then, this disparity has grown. Children are also at risk. Each week, five children are hit by a vehicle while walking in Philadelphia.

Addressing this trend will require directing large investments in safety to the communities that need them most.

The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) promises to invest billions in transportation, with a key focus on safety. Philadelphia has secured hundreds of millions of dollars from the BIL already. Some key examples include:

• $46.4 million from the first two rounds of the Safe Streets for All grant program,
• $78 million for the Roosevelt Boulevard Route for Change project from the Mega grant program,
• $25 million for North Philadelphia School Slow Zones from the RAISE grant program, and
• $159 million for the Chinatown Stitch project to cap the Vine Street Expressway from the Reconnecting Communities grant program.

The City won these funds by demonstrating a commitment to strategies that work.

This includes projects that calm driver speeds, make more space for people walking and biking, and encourage use of public transportation. Taken together, Complete Streets projects installed since 2017 have resulted in 20 percent less injury crashes and 34 percent less fatal and serious injury crashes compared to concurrent trends on similar roads. Speed safety cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard have resulted in 95 percent fewer speeding violations and saved 36 lives.

The BIL means that Philadelphia can continue to scale up investments in these types of solutions and program improvements to every mile of the High Injury Network.

“My administration is 100 percent committed to reversing the trend we’ve seen in fatal crashes and bringing our city down to zero,” said Mayor Parker. “I’ve been a long-time champion on this issue, and I will ensure that my administration invests in the strategies that work to make our roads safer for everyone.”

To learn more about Vision Zero, visit the Vision Zero website at www.visionzerophl.com.