Our streets are emptier, and more dangerous, than ever
Pittsburgh’s roads are emptier and deadlier than ever before. The Gainey administration recently recommitted itself to “Vision Zero,” a Peduto-era initiative aiming for zero traffic deaths, but it needs to do more.
One place to start: implementing Automated Red Light Enforcement, or ARLE, a successful PennDOT traffic light camera program that has been operational in Philadelphia since 2010. Its revenue has been successfully supporting traffic safety programs across the commonwealth — the city keeps part and the state gets the rest — to the tune of $141.15 million over 14 years. Allegheny County received $2 million just this year.
Bringing ARLE to Pittsburgh would enter the city into the program at the perfect time: the city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure released its biennial report last week, giving a birds’ eye view of a traffic safety problem outrunning city funding at a massive clip.
The report also revealed startling behavior changes in residents. Since the pandemic, Pittsburghers have become more sedentary. In 2023, residents decreased their total car miles traveled by 8%, and pedestrian trips fell by 34%.
Yet fatal crashes in the city have risen by 71%, and bicycle collisions by 110%.
Luckily, there is ample evidence that interventions like ARLE work. The ARLE program used in Philadelphia has successfully reduced the number of people speeding and running red lights at over 30 intersections.
Plus, revenue from the program is recycled into other safety programs. In Pittsburgh these include replacing and updating traffic signals (which cut accidents by a third) or traffic calming measures (which halve the number of people speeding).
Participation in PennDOT’s program could also open up communication between the city and the state agency responsible for many of Pittsburgh’s most dangerous streets. Though state-owned roads only make up 12% of mileage in the city, nearly half of all crashes happen along these stretches. And while DOMI is in charge of signals and signage along these roads, more intensive interventions, like speed humps, must first be approved by PennDOT.
It’s time for the city to join the statewide traffic safety network, before our streets become even more hostile. Reckless drivers should rightly be the ones helping fund safety improvements for everyone they put at risk.