Amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," by amending Section 12-102, entitled "Definitions," and amending Section 12-1201 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Authority To Install Traffic-Control Devices," to provide for the installation of variable speed limit signs and pedestrian traffic control signals designed to meet the needs of the disabled and senior citizens; all under certain terms and conditions.

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHIILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. Section 12-102 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Definitions”, is hereby amended to add the following definitions, the existing definitions to be renumbered accordingly:

TITLE 12. TRAFFIC CODE.

§12-102. Definitions.

In this Title the following definitions apply:

( ) “Pedestrian Traffic Control Signals Designed to Meet the Needs of the Disabled and Senior Citizens.” A traffic signal that has been designed and/or modified to extend the WALK phase of traffic lights to allow the disabled and senior citizens sufficient time to safely cross through an intersection.

( ) ”Variable Speed Limit Sign.” The term shall include, but is not limited to, a blank-out message, a variable message, or a message in effect during the operation of flashing beacons.

SECTION 2. Section 12-1201 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “

Authority To Install Traffic-Control Devices

”, is hereby amended as follows:

§12-1201. Authority To Install Traffic-Control Devices.

Upon the written request of five disabled residents who reside within 500 feet of the intersection in question or the chief administrator or designee of a specialty nursing care facility, a senior citizen center or a disability care/rehabilitation facility located within 500 feet of the intersection in question to the Streets Commissioner, the Department shall install and maintain a variable speed limit sign subject to the approval of the Streets Commissioner. The written request shall specify the times of day, days of the week and months of the year when the flashing sign shall operate and such other information as may be required by the Department. The criteria for approval by the Streets Commissioner shall include, but are not limited to: the volume and speed of vehicular traffic, existing pedestrian paths of travel, existing traffic signage and other appropriate traffic engineering factors, consistent with PennDOT regulations.

Upon the written request of five disabled residents who reside within 500 feet of the intersection in question or the chief administrator or designee of a specialty nursing care facility, a senior citizen center or a disability care/rehabilitation facility located within 500 feet of the intersection in question to the Streets Commissioner, the Department shall install and maintain pedestrian traffic control signals designed to meet the needs of the disabled and senior citizens where one of the following conditions exist, and in a manner consistent with PennDOT regulations:

a) For any street with a speed limit of up to 30 miles per hour, there must be a minimum of 50 disabled or senior citizen pedestrians attempting to cross during an eight hour period and, during the hour pedestrian volume is highest, there must be fewer than 60 adequate gaps in the vehicular traffic. A gap is defined as the time between vehicles moving on the street that is equal to the walking time required for a pedestrian to cross the street, plus some reaction time.

b) For any street with a speed limit greater than 30 miles per hour, there must be a minimum of 37 disabled or senior citizen pedestrians attempting to cross during an eight hour period. The gap requirement shall be the same as set forth in the preceding paragraph (a).

c) The surveyed disabled or senior citizen pedestrian volumes may be increased if available information indicates that an immediate increase in actual volume can be anticipated.

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Explanation:

Italics

indicate new matter added.

End