Beyond the Curb

When one typically thinks of a parking authority, thoughts of enforcing parking regulations, towing vehicles, and managing garages come to mind. But for the PPA, our endeavors extend far beyond those conventional tasks.

We play a critical role in regulating the transportation-for-hire industry in the city, ensuring safe and reliable service by taxis and transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft. We administer Philadelphia’s red light and speed camera programs, utilizing cutting-edge technology to enhance road safety; and recent emphasis on more public safety and innovative neighborhood-centric initiatives has yielded welcomed outcomes from community members and stakeholders alike.

Slowing Down: It Saves Lives

The 2020 launch of our automated speed camera enforcement program along Roosevelt Boulevard—a main transportation artery that bisects the city—was widely praised. It highlighted the agency’s shift to utilizing the latest technology and innovations to tackle the public safety dangers posed by speeding vehicles along what was once dubbed the “Boulevard of Death.”

Supplemented by an extensive communications and education campaign, the automated speed camera program is saving lives by reducing speeding violations by a staggering 95% since the cameras went live. This is a significant accomplishment considering Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability found that Roosevelt Boulevard accounted for 14% of all citywide crashes and 62 fatalities from 2014 to 2017.

Additionally, fatal and serious-injury crashes have dropped by 27%, with a 29% decrease in speeding-related crashes compared to other areas of the city. A particularly notable aspect of this initiative is the recognition that the risk of pedestrian fatality soars to an alarming 90% when vehicles exceed a speed of 58 miles per hour.

While our speed camera enforcement program was initially established as a pilot program, it needs final legislative approval to continue. Additionally, there are discussions of adding speed cameras in school zones to any future legislation—thus adding an extra layer of safety for children arriving and leaving school.

Stopping on Red: Another Lifesaver

Initially installed in 2005 at critical intersections along Roosevelt Boulevard, the PPA’s automated red light camera enforcement program has significantly curbed red light running by 43% at numerous intersections throughout the city. The PPA continues to engage with local and state transportation partners to install additional cameras at dangerous intersections around the city as needed.

Bike Lanes: They’re for Bikes. Period.

Like many American cities, cyclists are a significant part of our urban transportation ecosystem. Though the PPA has issued over 25,000 tickets for bike lane violations since 2014, sadly—45 cyclists have been killed, and over 135 have sustained injuries since 2011.

While these enforcement actions were strategically aimed at changing dangerous parking behaviors and fostering greater compliance with Philadelphia’s bike lane regulations, the sheer volume of violations underscored the need to establish a dedicated enforcement unit for enforcing bike lane regulations. As the only such bike lane enforcement unit in the country, this new PPA public safety initiative was widely praised—and over 1,100 bike lane violations have been issued since our bike lane enforcement unit hit the streets in May of this year.

Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia Executive Director Sarah Stuart said, “We are very excited and relieved to see the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s program get underway. Many of Philadelphia’s unprotected bike lanes are chronically encroached upon by drivers who park or stand with impunity.”

“The Bicycle Coalition welcomes this team of enforcement officers on bikes to be able to efficiently and sustainably keep bike lanes clear and safe for the bicyclists they were designed and built for,” she said.

No License Plate? That’s a Problem

Nothing better highlighted the PPA’s challenge to help improve the quality of life in local neighborhoods than the fight to remove “ghost cars”—vehicles oftentimes parked illegally with no license plate or plates that have been purposely obscured to evade parking enforcement—from city streets. In response, the PPA launched a crackdown accompanied by wide media coverage, where within a short period of time, we ticketed, towed, and impounded over 200 “ghost cars.” With the support of residents throughout the city, this sent a clear message that when it comes to quality-of-life issues in our neighborhoods, the PPA means business.

Tractor-Trailers & Abandoned Vehicles: Get Out of Neighborhoods

Another challenge faced by the PPA was the widespread illegal parking of tractor-trailers in residential city neighborhoods—further reducing already limited parking options for residents. Working with local council people and the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), the PPA embarked on a concentrated enforcement effort that resulted in over 350 tractor-trailers being towed from city neighborhoods—freeing up much-needed parking spaces for local residents. Word of the PPA’s highly praised and successful tractor-trailer enforcement effort has resulted in fewer tractor-trailers illegally parking in local neighborhoods.

Furthering its emphasis on neighborhood quality of life issues, the PPA has teamed up with the PPD to address the ongoing problem of removing abandoned vehicles from city streets. Since December of last year, more than 530 abandoned vehicles have been removed from Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.

Clearing the Curb

Looking to the future, the PPA will be partnering with Philadelphia’s ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) community to address parking issues impacting persons with physical disabilities and mobility constraints. While these types of “curb and safety” violations affect all pedestrians to some degree, they can be insurmountable obstacles that impede the daily ability of disabled individuals to navigate city sidewalks and crosswalks freely and safely.

In partnership with the ADA community, the PPA will implement a public education and awareness campaign. Through utilizing both media and social media platforms, we aim to highlight the hazards curb and sidewalk parking particularly has on those with physical disabilities. By enhancing public understanding of the importance of equitable access to the curb, those with mobility challenges can navigate their surroundings with greater ease and inclusivity.

Getting Social

One of the principles of our mission is harnessing the use of technology wherever possible to enhance the quality of life for our city’s residents and visitors– and we’ve done just that through the power of social media. Through platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, we navigate the digital landscape and promptly address customer queries, concerns, and complaints. By leveraging the accessibility of social media, we have streamlined our customer service efforts, enhanced user experience, and provided a vital resource for information dissemination. In fact, in the past eighteen months alone, our team has provided direct assistance to over 8,500 customers through our social media channels. Additionally, by using video PSAs on a regular basis, we have created an effective strategy to convey important messages in a more captivating and engaging manner.

Recognition for our efforts has been frequent as we proudly earned the International Parking & Mobility Institute’s marketing and communications award on four occasions since 2016. These recognitions underscore our commitment to excellence in utilizing social media as a tool for effective customer service and communication. They also reflect our dedication to adapting to modern communication trends, staying responsive, and being proactive in addressing the needs of our customers.

In Conclusion

The PPA’s versatile efforts, spanning public safety and quality-of-life initiatives, demonstrate our dedication to enhancing the welfare of Philadelphia’s residents and visitors. From pioneering speed enforcement programs driven by cutting-edge technology to forging relationships with transportation stakeholders, the PPA is moving forward on an innovative path in urban management. As Philadelphia’s landscape continues to evolve, the PPA’s initiatives are a testament to our commitment to cultivating a city that thrives through efficient management and flourishes with unparalleled quality of life for all. This ongoing journey reinforces our dedication to creating an environment that reflects the unique spirit of Philadelphia — and our approach will ensure these efforts resonate deeply within our vibrant and diverse community, forging a stronger bond between the PPA and the people we serve. As we embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, we remain steadfast in our mission to propel Philadelphia toward a bright future marked by progress and a sense of pride in the City of Brotherly Love. ◆