PHILADELPHIA- Mayor Kenney today released for public comment an initial draft of the Vision Zero Three-Year Action Plan, a document that will guide Philadelphia’s efforts to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and reduce injuries.
“When I took office, I pledged my commitment to making Philadelphia streets safe for everyone, regardless of age, physical ability, or choice of transportation,” Mayor Kenney said. “In this city, 100 people are killed each year in traffic crashes. Philadelphians deserve better. There is no excuse not to act to prevent future tragedies.”
On November 7, 2016, Mayor Kenney signed Executive Order 11-16, creating the Vision Zero Task Force, charged with developing an action plan to achieve the goal of zero traffic-related deaths by 2030. By doing so, the City of Philadelphia joins cities around the world in declaring that traffic crashes are not accidents; they are preventable incidents that can be systematically addressed.
“Vision Zero seeks to reverse the prevailing sentiment that traffic crashes are inevitable. The airline industry and the railroads have a zero tolerance policy.” said the Director of the Office of Complete Streets, Kelley Yemen. “It is time for Philadelphia to adopt a zero tolerance for traffic deaths. Through road design, education, and traffic safety enforcement, it is possible to eliminate or dramatically reduce traffic deaths.”
The Vision Zero Task Force is comprised of City agencies, external partners like PennDOT and SEPTA, as well as community-based organizations including the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations (PACDC), Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha, Inc.(APM), People’s Emergency Center (PEC), and the African American Chamber of Commerce.
Together, they are proud to submit the Vision Zero Draft Three-Year Action Plan for public comment. Based on this feedback–from residents, commuters, and stakeholders–a final Three-Year Action Plan will be released in Fall 2017. The draft Action Plan is available here. To learn more and to provide your feedback, visit the Vision Zero website (www.visionzeroPHL.com).
The Vision Zero Task Force is chaired by the Managing Director’s Office of Transportation & Infrastructure Systems (oTIS). “Vision Zero is about preserving human life,” said Managing Director, Michael DiBerardinis. “Philadelphia’s transportation system should be safe for everyone–whether they walk, drive, ride, or bike. Vision Zero will focus on the system-wide changes to our transportation systems that saves lives and promotes healthy neighborhoods.”
Every year in Philadelphia, residents are involved in more than 10,600 traffic crashes. These crashes take the lives of, or seriously injure, around 400 people each year. “Vision Zero builds on the City’s recent successes towards making the streets safer,” said Deputy Managing Director Mike Carroll of oTIS. “These include the establishment of the Office of Complete Streets, the launch of the Roosevelt Boulevard “Route for Change” program, and the installation of the City’s first protected bike lane. That’s a great start, and much more is to come.”
The Vision Zero Task Force is tasked with:
- Establishing short-term and long-term data-driven strategies with measurable goals for achieving zero traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries;
- Determining best practices, identifying gaps, and supporting the development and implementation of a Vision Zero Action Plan;
- Engaging and educating the public around the issue of traffic safety.
Philadelphia’s Vision Zero program will be data-driven, making investments in places with the most need for traffic safety improvements. The Action Plan will be updated every three years.