Using data as a vehicle to better connect communities and enhance equity was one powerful theme repeated throughout the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia Spring Vision Zero PHL Conference 2023. Safety remains core to Vision Zero’s mission—recognizing that 125 Philadelphians perished in motor vehicle collisions throughout 2022.
A Safe and Equitable Vision
Focused on “Creating An Equitable Future With Zero Traffic Fatalities,” the Temple University-hosted Vision Zero PHL Conference was well-attended by policymakers and Coalition supporters—featuring more than 40 speakers and 15 poster presentations.
Philadelphia representatives from academia, the engineering community, and SEPTA—the fifth largest US transit system—joined federal highway and transit administration keynote speakers and local advocacy groups who came together and discussed ways to make Philadelphia streets safer and more multimodal accessible for everyone, including bicyclists and pedestrians.
Part of a global initiative to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all—the Philadelphia Vision Zero program five guiding principles are articulated on the Bicycle Coalition’s website:
- Respect Human Dignity
- Public Participation Comes First
- Use Data to Advance Safety and Equity
- Set Target Goals and Dates
- Fund Vision Zero Program
Diverse Leadership Perspectives
The event featured a keynote address from Federal Transit Administration Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool and Q&A session with SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie Richards.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney also spoke on the merits of the region’s Vision Zero program that he created by executive order in 2016, with the goal of zero traffic fatalities by 2030.
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia Executive Director Sarah Clark Stuart was interviewed by KYW Newsradio, where she emphasized the need “to prioritize the traffic fatality epidemic and that Vision Zero is the key to bringing it down.” [read/listen to the full KYW Newsradio article]
Community Call-To-Action
Throughout the conference, attendees participated in panel discussions, workshops, and presentations focused on topics ranging from federal infrastructure funding and racial and transit equity impacts on Vision Zero to automated speed enforcement.
Overall, the conference afforded the opportunity to learn, network, and collaborate on efforts to create safer streets for all. The event highlighted the importance of Vision Zero in promoting a more sustainable and equitable city, and equipped attendees with the tools and inspiration to make a difference in their own communities. [view Vision Zero Resources including the Philadelphia High Injury Network map and Traffic Safety Fact Sheets]
Dawood Engineering supported and sponsored Vision Zero PHL Conference 2023. Surf our site here to learn more about how we help make a difference in communities where we work, live and play while delivering equitable and safe transportation engineering and planning solutions.
Contact Traffic Services Manager Lori Ware, PE, PTOE; or Marketing Director Ricardo Duarte for more information.