For the Vision Zero Conference we host three morning breakout sessions that attendees get to choose from. This year our breakout sessions will focus on pedestrian safety at Broad & Cecil B. Moore, opportunities in Camden, and neighbor-driven traffic safety projects.
Breakout #1a: Walk Audit of Broad and Cecil B. Moore
As part of our commitment to advocating for safer, more accessible communities for people of all ages, AARP PA and the Clean Air Council will lead a walk audit panel discussion that will bring together local leaders, advocates, and community members to assess the walkability and safety of Cecil B. Moore Avenue and Broad Street through Temple University, just outside the conference venue. Please meet at the registration table for this session, and plan to walk up to four blocks round trip. In the event of inclement weather, this session will instead be held in breakout room.
Participants will collaborate to identify areas for improvement and develop actionable solutions that enhance pedestrian safety, accessibility, and create more vibrant, livable spaces. The goal is to learn to identify opportunities for enhancement to advocate for age-friendly, walkable environments that foster healthier, more connected communities and support long-term sustainability. Your insights play a critical role in shaping solutions that create safer, more vibrant communities for all Philadelphians. This breakout will be moderated by Yocasta Lora from AARP, Titania Markland from Clean Air Council and joined by Caroline Burkholder from Temple Sustainability, Matt Ludwig from NV5, and community member, Jalon Alexander. If you are planning on attending this panel please watch the following video to prepare: AARP teaches you how to conduct a ‘walk audit’
Breakout #1b: The Future of Camden
Safe street initiatives continue to build momentum in Camden. With the recent completion of an Active Transportation Vision Plan, a $19 million grant to complete the Camden County LINK Trail through the city, an SS4A Action Plan grant award, and a new Walter Rand Transportation Center coming, things are trending in the right direction. These improvements will give Camden residents safer streets with improved multimodal options and save residents time and money.
This panel will discuss these initiatives and how grassroots engagement helped mobilize residents and the local business community to make a stronger push for safe and multimodal streets. The panel will be moderated by Joe Meyers from Camden Community Partnerships and joined by Joe Rink from PATCO, a representative from St. Joseph’s Carpentry, and more to be confirmed.
Breakout #1c: Case Study – When Neighbor’s Take the Wheel
In the 20th century, transportation projects frequently discriminated against minority communities. The construction of highways, among other urban renewal projects, tore minority neighborhoods apart and undermined social and economic stability. Community input, if received, was often ignored. This legacy of intentional harm has fostered a deep-seated distrust of government-led projects, even if the projects are expected to improve residents’ quality of life. Empowering communities to make decisions for their neighborhoods can foster trust in transportation planning, with the government acting as a facilitator of the community-led process.
This Case Study will dive into 47th, 48th and Allegheny Avenue, community-led VZ projects in West and North Philadelphia. The panelists will discuss how the project idea was developed, how residents introducing the project impacted the total project cost and timeline, and what the outcome has been. This panel will be moderated by a Vision Zero Ambassador and joined by neighbors Jonas Maciunas, Mark Green, and others.
Stay tuned for an announcement about our keynote speakers! More information, including sponsorships and a link to purchase sliding-scale tickets, can be found here.
Many thanks to our Vision Zero PHL 2025 sponsors: The Philadelphia Parking Authority, Jacobs Engineering, Curaleaf, jawnt, CHOP, HNTB, WSP (Phila Office), Michael Baker International, AECOM, Hayden AI, Urban Engineers, Emily Fredricks Foundation, Boles, Smyth Associates, INC., RK&K, STV Incorporated, Kittelson & Associates, Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, NV5, Inc., CDM Smith, Greenman-Pedersen, Inc., TYLin International, BTS, Econsult Solutions, Pennoni Associates, AARP Pennsylvania, Kimley-Horn, Bowman, Judd P. Greenbery Agency State Farm Insurance, Remington & Vernick Engineers, Gannett Fleming, DVRPC, PA