After 2 Nearby Pedestrian Fatalities
In a small victory for local activists, the City of Philadelphia recently installed traffic calming measures at 3 intersections in Queen Village along Carpenter Street: at Front, Moyamensing, and 2nd.
I cross each one multiple times per day walking the dog and have almost been hit many times, particularly at Front street (photo above).
Last year, on July 25, 2024, I wrote several city planning and transportation officials to demand that they install traffic calming (stop sign, cross walk, and speed bumps – see letter below).
I was amazed when I immediately received replies from city officials.
Mason C. Austin, Director, Transportation Planning wrote twice, the same day and with a followup:
Hi Mr. Wolfe,
The Streets Department is chiefly responsible for implementing the types of changes to the street bed to which you refer in e-mail. The first step would be to make a formal request for these changes through that department’s Traffic Calming Request form here: https://www.phila.gov/services/streets-sidewalks-alleys/request-traffic-calming-for-a-residential-street/
I checked and the 100 block of Carpenter is indeed eligible for review (it exceeds the minimum width by 4 feet and the minimum length by approximately 50 feet) through that interface.
After you enter your request there, the Streets Department will review your request, score it, and contact you for further information if it’s selected for traffic calming. Additional information about that process can be found at the link above. Unfortunately, as staff members of the Planning Commission, neither Kyle nor I are involved in the selection process, so we’re unable to provide assistance beyond directing you to this resource. Nonetheless, I hope this is helpful.
-Mason
He followed up a few day later with additional guidance (which I followed and can be used by others to make more things happen):
Apologies for the delay, it took me some time to get an answer to this. The suggestion I received was that you contact the district traffic engineer for Center City/South, Harry Hua: harry.hua@phila.gov. It was also suggested that, if possible, you have someone who lives on the affected block submit the request.
I hope that helps!
-Mason
I thought that I must have written a kick ass letter, but when I mentioned it to dog friends at Old Swedes, I learned that a month earlier, a man had been killed on June 25, 2024, just one block away at the intersection of Front and Washington.
So, the city’s response was likely in response to that fatality.
Then, on January 3, 2025, another man was killed and his wife injured at the same intersection!
People shouldn’t have to get killed before obvious safety issues are addressed.
Letter below. This is how its done.
———- Original Message ———-
From: Bill WOLFE <>
Cc: fkummer@inquirer.com, bruce.bohri@phila.gov, terrell.brown@phila.gov, mason.austin@phila.gov, jada.ackley@phila.gov, , sonja@bicyclecoalition.org
Date: 07/25/2024 8:51 AM EDT
Subject: Pedestrian crosswalk questions
Mr. Brown – Good day. I am a resident at […] Street, Philadelphia, 19147.
As you are a Transportation Planner, I am writing to inquire about the process, standards, and criteria for the City to create a pedestrian crosswalk, with traffic calming (speed bump), and signage.
The location is the intersection of Carpenter and Front Street.
The location is adjacent to Shot Tower Recreation Area, which receives heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic, particularly children and moms in strollers. That location is also used by many dog walkers and pedestrians traveling to and from Old Swedes Historic Site.
A pedestrian crosswalk would provide safety improvements for the pedestrians and cyclists crossing Front Street.
Front Street is one way and has parking on both sides. Parked cars make the visual sight lines required to safely cross the intersection very difficult. I believe that the posted speed limit is 25 mph, but that limit is exceeded by the large majority of vehicles in my experience (I cross 6 times a day, every day, at approximately 7:30 am; 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm). Drivers use Front after either crossing or turning off Washington Avenue and tend to retain prior excessive speeds. I have never observed police enforcing speed limits there.
There are handicapped accessible curb cuts on both sides of Front Street at this intersection.
I have anecdotal support of users of Shot Tower and Old Swedes. I’m sure I could generate considerable public support.
Accordingly, a designated pedestrian cross walk, signage, and traffic calming measures are justified, given:
1) the proximity and adjacency of special uses (Shot Tower and Old Swedes);
2) the volume of pedestrian and cyclist traffic at this location;
3) the special vulnerability of the population of users (e.g. young children, busy mothers, distracted tourist unfamiliar with city streets, and seniors);
4) the limited sight lines;
5) the volume and speed of the traffic (sorry, I do not have traffic count or accident data, which I assume your office has);
6) the lack of police enforcement of the speed limits; and
7) strong local public support.
Additionally, although I just became aware of it and have yet to read it, I’m confident that this would be consistent with the recently adopted pedestrian and bicycle plan, see:
https://www.phila.gov/media/20230901072757/PCPC.Pedestrian-and-Bicycle-Plan-Progress-Report-2021.pdf
I appreciate your timely and favorable response that outlines the specific next steps to make this happen.
Respectfully,
Bill Wolfe