Philadelphia’s High Injury Network 

In Philadelphia, 80% of traffic fatalities and serious injuries happen on only 12% of the city’s streets. This is called a “high injury network,” a grouping of roads that result in the highest concentration of accidents within the vicinity. High injury networks indicate where the most fatal and serious accidents occur within a city. These networks are great indicators of where change or updating may be necessary. Unsafe and outdated roadways typically result in more accidents, injuries, and fatalities. In Philadelphia, the high injury network is comprised of Lincoln Drive, Kelly Drive, Broad Street, Passyunk Ave, Market Street, Chestnut Street, Locust Street, just to name a few. Within the 12 miles that make up the high injury network in Philadelphia, there is a large variation in road conditions. 

Changes Can Make Roads Safer

It is no surprise that a road like Lincoln Drive, narrow, old, bumpy, windy, and congested would result in frequent accidents. The same goes for the crowded and congested, but well-kept streets of Center City – Locust, Market, Chestnut, etc. While these two examples are both within the same high injury network, they are different. Looking at the accidents that occur on these streets indicates changes need to happen. Changes could help remove these specific roads from the high injury network. Keeping roads updated, clean and safe is essential to Philadelphians’ safety and the wellbeing of our community. By keeping track of the high injury network it is easier to identify where resources should be allocated to improve the streets. 

Vision Zero 

Vision Zero is a global initiative aimed at eliminating all traffic-related deaths and severe injuries. The initiative claims that we may never achieve zero accidents – just no more fatal or serious ones. By mirroring the zero tolerance for death stance that airlines have, Vision Zero aims to prioritize human lives and alter transportation to protect lives. 

Safer Streets

Rather than telling people to change their behavior, Vision Zero wants to alter the way transportation gets us places. Demanding slower speeds, safer vehicles and equipment, safer precautions, and safe streets is how this initiative plans on lowering the number of traffic-related deaths. 

Small Network Of Dangerous Roads In Philadelphia

For Vision Zero, the high injury network map can be very informative in determining where to focus attention. If the majority of deaths and serious injuries are occurring in these 12 miles, Vision Zero will see what in those 12 miles can be changed and altered to become safer.