The Hub 8/11/2023: 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.
Feet First Philly launched the 4th round of their Public Space Enhancement Mini-grant Program. Applications open now through October 9th.
The Inquirer: South Philly parking solutions exist. What’s missing is the political will to implement them – Illegal parking in South Philadelphia is a big problem which has even included violence and threats of violence in the past. With increased car ownership the parking problem has only gotten worse. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission had proposed reforming the city’s permit parking system to help address South Philly parking issues but city officials have worked in opposite directions. City Council needs to implement effective measures to address illegal parking in the city.
Planetizen: Completing Sidewalk Networks: Benefits and Costs – According to a study, many communities in the United States have incomplete sidewalk networks. In many cities not much has been done to improve sidewalks. Improving sidewalks can result in various benefits such as improved accessibility, higher property value, reduced air pollution, and improved public health and fitness. A typical US community spends about $30 to $60 annually per capita to fix, install, or replace sidewalks. But to fill in the gaps and complete sidewalk networks there needs to be a lot more investments.
The Inquirer: Federal Transit Administration may step in to oversee SEPTA safety operations following spate of bus and trolley crashes – After multiple crashes involving SEPTA buses and trolleys, the transit agency is “facing intensifying scrutiny from state and federal safety regulators.” SEPTA is conducting their own investigation into the multiple crashes and increasing safety training. It is also possible that the FTA could step in to directly supervise the transit agency’s safety practices.
Other Stories
WHYY: Newark replaces Unicity with DART Connect’s on-demand transportation for better accessibility
Streetsblog USA: New Federal Report Finds Most U.S Communities Are Clueless About Their Transport Emission
BillyPenn: Starting with a ‘secret’ debut 100 years ago, the trackless trolley is the most Philly way to travel
The Inquirer: Philly will replace every streetlight over the next two years, starting with high-crime neighborhoods
