WHEREAS, Pedestrian safety is a major concern nationally with over 5,000 fatalities occurring annually and an additional 80,000 pedestrians suffering injuries from traffic crashes; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the decade of the 1990’s, the City of Philadelphia averaged between 40-50 pedestrian fatalities per year. As of September 6, 2000 there have been 1,345 pedestrian accidents in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Pedestrian, school and bicycle safety can be improved through the use of new, durable, fluorescent reflective signs which are more noticeable to drivers during daylight, dusk, dawn and night-time hours; and
WHEREAS, Major East Coast cities such as New York and Washington D.C. have seen a significant reduction in collisions involving two or more motor vehicles and collisions involving cars striking pedestrians since replacing the standard yellow color signs with the fluorescent yellow-green reflective signs; and
WHEREAS, Fluorescent yellow green reflective signs are uniquely effective at dawn and dusk and also during inclement weather; and
WHEREAS, An initial study by the Federal Highway Administration demonstrated a dramatic reduction in pedestrian conflicts after the upgrade to this more visible material; and
WHEREAS, Fluorescent yellow-green reflective signs are an innovative solution for communities concerned with pedestrian, bicycle and school safety; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes City Council’s Committee on Streets and Services to hold hearings to examine a proposal for the placement of Fluorescent Yellow-Green Reflective Signs to improve motorist, pedestrian, school and bicycle safety at non-motorized crossings throughout the City of Philadelphia.
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