Case Study: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Philadelphia, located in southeastern Pennsylvania, is the state’s largest city.
• It is renowned for its rich historical heritage, notably being the site where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed.
• The city’s transportation network is highly developed, featuring an extensive system of roads, highways, and public transit options.

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• Philadelphia experiences high fatality rates compared to their peer cities that adopted Vision Zero, especially in neighborhoods below the poverty line.  
• Speed is the number one contributing factor for fatal crashes.
• On average, 5 children are reported to be involved in crashes daily.
• Vulnerable road users such as pedestrians are disproportionately killed in Philadelphia streets.

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• Safe Speeds
• Safe Streets
• Safe People
• Vision Zero for Youth
• Equity
• Data-Driven Action Plans

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In the Vision Zero Action Plan, the City has a comprehensive list of Vision Zero projects and grants that will be used to fund each project.

• “Philadelphia Vision Zero Capital Plan” – Awarded in 2022
• “Complete & Safe Streets Philadelphia: Vision Zero High-Injury Network Corridors” – Awarded in 2023

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• In larger cities, having strong leadership from elected officials can help get Safe System efforts started and multi-disciplinary coalition formed.
• A comprehensive, data-driven plan provides a strong basis for grant applications.
• Detailed action items, responsible parties, and frequent coalition meetings are key for sustaining stakeholder collaborations. 

• Making community outreach and education part of the Vision Zero planning process can help address resistance to strategies such as automated enforcement programs.
• Providing electronic and printed resources in multiple languages is effective in providing equal participation opportunities for the entire community.

• Engaging the community during the development of a plan and after implementation can overcome resistance to change.

• Sharing accomplishments regularly, such as tools for visualization of improvements, in-person project showcases, and social media posts helps build community understanding and support of the Safe System approach.
• Working with media on messaging around traffic crashes has a measurable impact on public support to make roads safer for everyone.

• Understanding that commitment and recommitment to Vision Zero and the Safe System approach are necessary will help cities continue to make progress in the long term.

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