D. Alex Quistberg, Drexel University

Over 60 pedestrians and cyclists have been killed each year in Philadelphia in recent years.

Compared with other big cities, Philadelphia’s death rate for both pedestrians and cyclists is higher than New York and Chicago but lower than Los Angeles and Houston.

Across the U.S., more pedestrians and bicyclists are killed or seriously injured today than any time over the past 40 years. Over 7,500 pedestrians and over 1,100 bicyclists died in traffic collisions in 2022, the most recent year with available data, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

As an injury epidemiologist in Philadelphia who studies pedestrian and bicyclist injuries in the U.S. and Latin America, I want to share several evidence-based ways that Philadelphia can make walking, biking and getting around the city safer for everyone.

Protect bike lanes

Protected bike lanes have physical barriers that prevent drivers from entering the bike lane to park or pass other drivers.

They are particularly useful on high-volume cycling corridors and offer cyclists much more protection than lanes that are merely painted but have no physical barriers or lanes with flexible posts that can be driven over.

Flexible posts, for example, were unable to block the collision that killed Barbara Friedes, chief pediatric resident at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, in Center City in July 2024 when a drunk driver sped through the bike lane where Friedes was bicycling.

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Research suggests protected bike lanes can improve safety for pedestrians and drivers too. This is likely because they tend to cause drivers to slow down.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and other local bike safety advocacy groups have called for the city to replace unprotected lanes with protected lanes and also add protected bike lanes to more roadways that currently don’t have any.

In October 2024, the city announced it will install concrete barriers to protect the bike lanes on Spruce and Pine streets in Center City, including where Friedes was killed. That same month, the City Council unanimously passed a “Get Out the Bike Lane” bill that increases the fines for drivers who stop or park in a bike lane.

Slow drivers down

Traffic-calming measures are engineering and road design strategies that slow vehicles down, make pedestrians more visible to motorists and provide safer crossing areas.

They include speed humps, curb extensions and protected intersections, as well as 20 mph speed zones.

Automated speed enforcement, which involves cameras that capture the license plates of drivers who are speeding, has led to major reductions in speeding and serious collisions on Roosevelt Boulevard. The street, which runs through North and northeast Philadelphia, has been named one of most dangerous roads in the country in various analyses by news and transportation organizations. Due to this success, the city plans to expand automated speed enforcement to Broad Street in 2025 and potentially other locations in the future.

Traffic-calming measures can benefit all road users by reducing traffic congestion so drivers and public transit riders face fewer delays. They can also boost nearby businesses by increasing foot traffic and making business corridors more pleasant for shoppers.

Encourage fewer cars on the road

Philadelphia can adopt more policies that promote walking or biking over driving. These include open streets or ciclovías, where streets are closed down to motor vehicle traffic and opened to cyclists and pedestrians. Philadelphia occasionally does this on stretches of 18th Street and Walnut Street in Center City.

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Increasing parking fees can also reduce traffic congestion. Parking fees generally do not reflect the true cost of driving in cities, which includes maintaining parking spaces and infrastructure. The low cost of parking is essentially a subsidy to drivers. While there are fears that reduced parking hurts business owners, substantial evidence indicates businesses benefit from increased foot and bicycle traffic.

The city could also reduce the number of parking spaces and implement congestion pricing, which involves charging fees to drive in certain areas of a city to reduce traffic congestion.

This may be a challenge, considering the recent experience of New York City, which spent decades preparing for congestion pricing only to have it blocked by the governor, though it seems it now has a chance of being implemented. How much success New York has with congestion pricing will likely determine the feasibility in Philadelphia and other U.S. cities.

Improve public transportation

Expanding public transportation and lowering or eliminating fares can also help protect pedestrians and cyclists by reducing car use. I believe these measures could help ensure the other policies mentioned above are effective.

However, Philadelphia’s public transportation is currently in a critical state. Facing funding shortfalls due to years of declining ridership, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has proposed service cuts and significant fare increases beginning Jan. 1, 2025. Gov. Josh Shapiro has spared the system from these cuts for now by flexing federal highway funds, but long-term solutions are needed to ensure the survival and revival of public transportation in Philadelphia.

Addressing gun violence, drug use and other crimes may also make public transportation in Philadelphia safer and more attractive. While violent crimes on Philadelphia’s public transportation have dropped dramatically in 2024, four people have lost their lives on SEPTA vehicles so far this year.

Collect better data

Considering the increase in road traffic deaths in Philly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, substantial efforts are needed to reach the city’s Vision Zero goal of reducing road traffic deaths to zero by 2030.

In my view, this includes better data on transportation use and which interventions and policies are working and which are not.

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Road safety surveillance could be improved in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania by linking crash records to other data, such as hospital and clinical data of crash victims, as well as insurance costs to better understand the burden of road traffic injuries on the city and the state.

Data is also key to ensuring public policies are implemented equitably. The Vision Zero plan includes a focus on lower-income neighborhoods and those with higher proportions of racial and ethnic minorities. Those areas have three times as many serious injuries and deaths as other neighborhoods, and road traffic injury and deaths rates are 30% higher among people of color compared with white residents.

D. Alex Quistberg, Associate Research Professor, Urban Health Collaborative, Drexel University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.

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The Goodyear Rubber Company, situated at 6701 South Central Avenue in Los Angeles, played a pivotal role in shaping the West Coast’s tire manufacturing industry. As the first tire company in the region, Goodyear paved the way for other manufacturers to establish their presence, leading to the growth of a thriving rubber industry in Los Angeles.

Historical Significance
Goodyear Rubber Company’s establishment on the West Coast marked a significant milestone in the region’s industrial development. By the mid-1920s, the company’s success inspired other tire manufacturers to set up facilities in the area. This, in turn, led to the emergence of support industries and plants, creating a robust ecosystem that provided materials, services, and equipment. By 1928, Los Angeles became the second-largest rubber manufacturing center in the United States, thanks to Goodyear and three other major rubber companies.

Goodyear-California’s Growth
Despite occasional economic setbacks, Goodyear-California continued to expand and meet the expectations of its parent company in Akron. By 1941, the Goodyear-California plant was supplying 11 western states, Alaska, and Hawaii with a remarkable daily production of 15,000 tires. The plant employed between 1,500 to 2,500 workers, contributing significantly to the local economy. Its success not only manifested Goodyear’s commitment to innovation and quality but also solidified Los Angeles’ position as a vital hub for rubber manufacturing.

End of an Era
Sadly, in February 1979, after facing financial difficulties, the Goodyear-California Complex was forced to close its doors. However, the impact of this pioneering company remains etched in the memories of those who witnessed its existence. The facility went on to serve as a filming location for movies and TV shows until it was eventually demolished in the mid-1980s.

The Goodyear Rubber Company’s legacy in Los Angeles is one of innovation, growth, and economic significance. As the first tire manufacturer on the West Coast, it laid the foundation for the thriving rubber industry that followed. The Goodyear-California plant’s contributions to both the local and national economy will long be remembered and celebrated.

Link to info about Goodyear Los Angeles referenced in this article:  https://www.loc.gov/item/ca1293/

The science section of our news blog STM Daily News provides readers with captivating and up-to-date information on the latest scientific discoveries, breakthroughs, and innovations across various fields. We offer engaging and accessible content, ensuring that readers with different levels of scientific knowledge can stay informed. Whether it’s exploring advancements in medicine, astronomy, technology, or environmental sciences, our science section strives to shed light on the intriguing world of scientific exploration and its profound impact on our daily lives. From thought-provoking articles to informative interviews with experts in the field, STM Daily News Science offers a harmonious blend of factual reporting, analysis, and exploration, making it a go-to source for science enthusiasts and curious minds alike. https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/

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The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is a remarkable addition to the vibrant cultural landscape of Los Angeles, California. Established by acclaimed filmmaker George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson, the museum is poised to become a pivotal hub for visual storytelling across diverse artistic forms.

Lucas Museum

Nestled in Exposition Park, the museum features an extensive collection encompassing myriad artistic mediums. From striking paintings and evocative photography to intricate sculptures and compelling illustrations, the Lucas Museum is dedicated to celebrating the transformative power of narrative art, engaging audiences, and conveying profound messages through its exhibitions. As the museum evolves, it continues to enrich the conversation around art and storytelling, inviting visitors to experience narratives that resonate on multiple levels.

One of the standout features of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is its unwavering commitment to inclusivity and diversity. The museum aims to celebrate art from a multitude of cultures and backgrounds, giving voice to underrepresented narratives and perspectives. This focus on inclusivity is not only manifested in the museum’s eclectic collection but is also vividly reflected in its thoughtfully crafted programming and community outreach initiatives. By engaging with local communities and diverse artists, the museum fosters a rich dialogue that honors different traditions and storytelling techniques.

Designed by the acclaimed architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, the museum’s stunning building is a work of art in itself. Its unique and innovative architecture seamlessly integrates with the surrounding environment, creating a harmonious space that invites visitors to immerse themselves in the diverse world of storytelling. The dynamic design features flowing forms and open spaces, allowing natural light to play a crucial role in enhancing the overall aesthetic experience. This architectural masterpiece not only serves as a physical shelter for art but also symbolizes the fluid nature of narrative.

The museum’s website, lucasmuseum.org, offers a captivating glimpse into its vision and future exhibits, generating palpable excitement among art enthusiasts and fans of George Lucas’s cinematic legacy alike. It serves as a vital platform for engaging with the museum’s mission and provides ongoing updates about various programs and events that aim to foster a sense of community and anticipation leading up to its grand opening.

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art stands as a testament to the profound power of storytelling to inspire, educate, and unite people from all walks of life. It embodies George Lucas’s passion for narrative and creativity, creating a space where art can be experienced, appreciated, and understood in its many forms. The museum will not only display art but also offer educational workshops, lectures, and events that will enrich the visitor experience and promote a deeper understanding of narrative as a vital component of human experience.

As the museum prepares to open its doors, the anticipation continues to build, with Los Angeles eagerly awaiting the opportunity to explore the rich world of narrative art. The Lucas Museum promises to become a cultural landmark—an inspiring venue where imagination and creativity converge. It aims to be a place where the stories that shape our lives are not just preserved, but celebrated and explored, ensuring that the legacy of narrative art endures for generations to come.

The museum is set to open in 2025…

For more information please visit: https://lucasmuseum.org/

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