The Hub 8/7/2020: Clean Air Council’s Weekly Round-Up 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.

 

Billy Penn: SEPTA trains and buses have great airflow — which means less coronavirus risk for riders – SEPTA’s busses, subways, Regional Rail trains, and trolleys are all equipped with high frequency ventilation systems. The frequent circulation of air in enclosed spaces is an important part of reducing COVID-19 spread. The air on SEPTA vehicles is completely circulated every 2-3 minutes.

 

PlanPhilly: 4 ways SEPTA can reduce COVID-19 risks on transit – SEPTA is an essential service for many Philadelphians, this opinion piece from PlanPhilly illustrates further ways SEPTA can keep riders safe. 

 

The Inquirer: Rethinking SEPTA’s Regional Rail could benefit Philly’s neighborhoods – The Regional Rail network in the Philadelphia area serves suburban counties, but all lines come through Center City and other neighborhoods. If SEPTA shifted the focus of Regional Rail service from serving white collar suburban office workers to being an accessible heavy rail option for all, the region could benefit greatly.

 

CityLab: The Forgotten History of How Accessible Design Reshaped the Streets – The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) passed in 1990, and is responsible for the shape of city sidewalks as we know them. Curb cuts at every corner may seem commonplace today, but these simple accessibility features are the result of a long fought and hard won battle to make our streets accessible to all.

Image Source: Billy Penn