TPD designed safety improvements for the Erie Avenue Safety Improvement Project in the City of Philadelphia (S.R. 1004 Section SIP). The project area extended along from its intersection with Old York Road at the western project limit to its intersection with I Street at the eastern limit. The project was planned in close coordination with stakeholders, including residents, business owners, institutions, utility companies, SEPTA, the City, and PennDOT. Modes of transportation that were accommodated and improved through the project include pedestrian, bicycle, and motorized vehicles (cars, buses, trucks). There are SEPTA trolley tracks along Erie Avenue throughout the project limits. However, the trolley is currently inactive, and for purposes of this project, it was assumed that the trolley will remain inactive.
The project improvements included upgrades to traffic signal supports, signal heads, vehicle detection equipment, signage, and pavement markings. New traffic signals are located on mast arms over the Erie Avenue travel lanes, rather than on poles along the side of the street. In addition, the upgraded signalization include Light Emitting Diode (LED) signal heads (brighter and more cost efficient) and optimized signal timings and coordination. Pedestrian improvements include new crosswalks, upgraded ADA ramps, and countdown hand/man pedestrian signals. Curb extensions were implemented for the existing signalized pedestrian crossing near the Roberto Clemente Middle School, which is on the southern side of Erie Avenue between 2nd Street and Front Street. Rapid flashing beacons were proposed to alert Erie Avenue traffic in the vicinity of 6th Street, which is an unsignalized intersection in close proximity to the Bayard Taylor Elementary School.
In addition to the improvements at the signalized intersections, fiber optic cable was installed along Erie Avenue from Broad Street to Kensington Avenue, by attaching cable to existing utility poles. The fiber optic cable will allow for interconnection of the traffic signals, which in turn will allow better synchronization of signals. Also, fiber optic cable was installed along G Street, from Erie Avenue northward to Ramona Avenue. This will allow the interconnected signals along Erie Avenue to be monitored from the City’s facility at the intersection of G Street & Ramona Avenue.
