Vision Zero Conference 2026 Puts Focus on a Community-First Approach to Traffic Safety

Last week, the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) and the Office of Multimodal Planning (OMP) participated in the Vision Zero Conference PHL 2026. The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia (BCGP) hosted this all-day conference. This year, the conference took place at Temple University. It featured local and nationally-recognized speakers and panelists.

The conference focused on the theme of "Putting Community First." Conference panelists and attendees explored the role of community in advancing Vision Zero goals. Discussion panels at the conference covered many topics related to this theme, including:

• The morning plenary was "Shifting Culture, Changing Minds: How Communities Put Vision Zero First". This panel explored how the Vision Zero Action Plan applies a Safety Culture framework to behavioral change. Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives Christopher Puchalsky moderated the panel. The panel explored different approaches to culture change around traffic safety. These approaches focused on the role of the legislature. Emphasizing its role in driving and following public support for safer rules of the road.

• Another timely panel was "Walking & Biking Through Philadelphia: 1776 to 2026". This year, Philadelphia will host visitors from around the world for America250. This panel discussed the transformative transportation projects underway in support of these events. The panel featured Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Jeannette Brugger. She shared about the improvements both on Market Street in Old City and on access to Lemon Hill.

• The afternoon plenary was "Looking Back, Looking Ahead: How Vision Zero Puts Communities First". This panel dove into specific actions from the Vision Zero Action Plan. Panelists were champions for advancing these action items. Kelley Yemen, Director of Multimodal Planning, shared the City's efforts. This includes its efforts to install Safe System Design Hierarchy in roadway projects.

Lead Sponsor, the Philadelphia Parking Authority, Shares Speed Camera Success

Corinne O'Connor, Deputy Director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, kicked off the conference. O'Connor gave remarks detailing PPA's efforts in support of Vision Zero. PPA's history with Vision Zero goes back to 2005. That year was the launch of the Automated Red Light Enforcement program. PPA's participation in Vision Zero expanded significantly in 2020. That year, the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program on Roosevelt Boulevard launched.

Speed cameras work. Since installation on Roosevelt Boulevard, speeding violations have fallen 95%. Fatal and serious injury crashes have fallen by over 20%. In 2025, PPA expanded the ASE program to Broad Street. Broad Street surpassed Roosevelt Boulevard as the most dangerous roadway in Philadelphia. Speed cameras enforce a consistent 25 mph speed limit along the majority of Broad Street. The stretch between I-76 and I-95 has a speed limit of 35 mph. This is also where the road widens, and there are no adjacent neighborhoods. Speed cameras are continuing to expand to select school zones and State Route 13 later this year.

Conversation "Between the Michael Carrolls" Reveals City and State Priorities

PennDOT Secretary Michael B. Carroll delivered the conference's afternoon keynote address. He focused on the department's priorities. Especially its alignment with Philadelphia's Vision Zero goals. One of the primary goals is to fully fund public transportation across the state. Secretary Carroll also strongly endorsed passage of the so-called "curb bill". This state bill would permit parking-separated bike lanes on state routes.

Following his address, the Secretary held a conversation with the City's Deputy Managing Director, Michael A. Carroll. Din Abazi, PennDOT District 6 Executive, moderated this discussion. They discussed the adoption of Federal standards for new traffic safety measures. These traffic safety measures include safe speed limit setting. The conversation often returned to the value of intergovernmental cooperation. That between the City and State. This cooperation leads to delivering transformative projects like the Chinatown Stitch.

Vision Zero Action Plan Will Guide Efforts Through 2030

The City released the five-year Vision Zero Action Plan 2030 in November 2025. The plan organizes action to advance the City's traffic safety goals around the Safe System approach. Key goals from the plan include:

1. Programming safety on every mile of the High Injury Network,
2. Developing Complete Streets checklists for all roadway projects,
3. Fostering a safety culture citywide,
4. Implementing Safe Routes Philadelphia programming citywide, and
5. Advancing the ultimate goal of zero traffic deaths.

Several panels touched on important actions from the plan. The panel "Quick Fixes & the Long Haul," featured Jasmine Hoffman. Hoffman, a member of Families for Safe Streets,touched on her efforts to pass "Jay Alert."

For the second year, the City's Vision Zero team held Ambassador Training at the conference. This annual training is open to all attendees. It's intended for those wanting to learn how to advocate in their community for Vision Zero.