Clean Air Council


The Hub 6/16/2023: 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.

A view of the collapsed portion of I-95 near the Cottman Avenue exit in Northeast Philadelphia on Sunday. David Maialetti / Staff Photographer. Image: The Inquirer

The Inquirer: I-95 Bridge Collapse: What Happened, the Detours, and What Happens next. – On Sunday morning a tanker truck caught fire underneath a portion of I-95 bridge. The fire caused the bridge to collapse which resulted in a closure in both directions of I-95 between Exits 30 and 32. Multiple detours are in place in both directions. SEPTA also increased service and capacity on the Trenton, West Trenton, and Fox Chase lines. A disaster declaration was signed by Gov. Shapiro. This allowed $7million of  state funds to be available for the reconstruction, which could take several months to complete.

Vehicles are captured on an AI camera blocking a bus lane on Chestnut Street. SEPTA is testing the system, which is used in New York. Courtesy of Hayden AI. Image: The Inquirer

The Inquirer: SEPTA found more than 20,000 violations in a study on blocking bus-only lanes and bus stops – Since late April, SEPTA has been using AI-driven cameras on seven buses to study illegal parking in bus-only lanes and bus stops along two Center City routes. This study recorded that an average of 4,000 blockages occur weekly. Illegal parking not only slows the buses, but increases congestion and reduces safety for transit riders. No tickets were issued during the study but at the end SEPTA will assess the data and compare it with the experiences of other cities that use AI-driven cameras to decide whether or not they should establish an enforcement program to keep bus-only lanes and bus stops clear.

Image: Transportation Today

Transportation Today: FTA awards $11.6M to six transit projects – The Federal Transit Administration announced funds for six transit bus automation research projects in six different states. These research projects and technology involved aim to help create a safer and more efficient transit system. Project awards range from $800,000 to over $4.5million.

Other Stories

  1. The PA legislators should make speed cameras permanent
  2. Pittsbugh’s BRT is fully funded and sporting a new name
  3. No car, no problem: Philly is one of the best US cities to live in without a personal vehicle
  4. How to watch the I-95 construction livestream at Philadelphia collapse site
  5. Philly’s other big I95 project to start: A cap with an 11.5 acre waterfront park, South St. pedestrian bridge
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