Kenney to Philly: Let’s end traffic-related deaths by 2030

In Philadelphia, 50 percent of all traffic crashes occur on 12 percent of the city’s roads.

So, the city might be able to knock down traffic accidents just by focusing redesign and safety efforts on just over one-eight of the city’s streets.

That is one of the observations gleaned by Philly’s Vision Zero Task force launched by Mayor Jim Kenney.

On Thursday, the task force released its three-year action plan, the result of research the city has been conducting in traffic studies and public outreach for months. Mayor Jim Kenney said the report offers a “a series of realistic and affordable recommendations.”

“The Task Force took the time to listen to Philadelphians from every neighborhood and background,” Kenney said in a statement. “There is no excuse not to act to prevent future tragedies.  Philadelphians deserve better.”

Philly is one of several big cities that has a “Vision Zero” plan in place, aiming to eliminate all traffic-related fatalities through road redesign.

From March to July, the city conducted more than 40 community meetings, met with transportation experts and obtained hundreds of public comments to prepare the report.

Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis, chair of the Vision Zero task force, said the three-year action plan would help Philly ensure that “traffic safety takes priority over traffic convenience.”

Youth traffic-safety education and prioritizing street improvements on what the city has labeled the High Injury Network – “a comprehensive mapping system identifying and targeting the most dangerous streets“ – are part of the actions proposed in the city’s new plan.

Philly is also seeking legislative solutions to let the city its own speed limits, use radar guns for enforcement, and potentially develop “automated speed enforcement.”

Plans remain in development. Focusing on the High Injury network may truly revolutionize street safety in Philly, the city said.

“By focusing engineering, education and enforcement on the highest-risk streets, we can begin to make real progress towards zero deaths,” said Kelley Yemen, director of the city’s Complete Streets program.

Learn more about the High Injury Network and the Vision Zero plan at visionzerophl.com.