The Hub 3/26/2021: Clean Air Council’s Weekly Roundup of Transportation News

“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important

The Inquirer: Philadelphia should fund sidewalks like it funds streets. Read our op-ed from Clean Air Council’s Executive Director and Chief Counsel Joseph Minott, and Feet First Philly Steering Committee member Fran Fulton on why the city needs to fund sidewalks in the next budget and prioritize fixing the 230+ miles of unsafe city sidewalks.

Next City: New road policies in two states put people, not cars, first. Massachusetts wants highway engineers to incorporate facilities for pedestrians, wheelchair users, and transit patrons in all new projects, and Virginia is considering a law that allows cities and counties to set speed limits as low as 15 mph.

The New York Times: Due to the pandemic New York’s transit ridership hits an all-time low, placing the transit agency into its worst financial emergency. Federal aid was able to keep the agency afloat for now, but its long-term survival just like SEPTA depends on riders returning. 

Forbes: U.S Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg wants the country to move away from the 50s mentality that roads are just for cars by developing infrastructure to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety. Bike lanes and modern pedestrian infrastructure will protect all road users. 

Streetsblog: A coalition of transportation advocates wants a fundamental reframing of the new traffic-control manual. The old manual prioritizes cars and advocates say it’s time for updated guidelines that protect vulnerable road users.

Image Source: The Inquirer