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ARLE intersection 1

Low-Cost, High-Impact Improvements for Philadelphia Intersections

Urban expedited preliminary through final design for each intersection at the City's request.

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Design
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Client
City of Philadelphia, Department of Streets
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ARLE Intersection Modifications, Philadelphia, PA

A $5 million grant from Pennsylvania’s Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) Program boosted the City of Philadelphia Department of Streets’ efforts to improve safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Under an on-call contract with the city, Urban designed improvements at seven locations:

  • S 10th Street and Passyunk Avenue
  • Frankford Avenue and Princeton Avenue
  • S 38th Street and Spruce Street
  • S 58th Street and Baltimore Avenue
  • Ridge Avenue and E Cathedral Road
  • Rising Sun Avenue and W Ontario Street; Rising Sun Avenue and Germantown Avenue; Rising Sun Avenue and Old York Road
  • N 33rd Street and Girard Avenue

 

Fast-Track Schedule 

Philadelphia was under a tight deadline to allocate grant funds. We had to expedite preliminary through final design for each intersection, which included signing and striping; signal design/timing; and a plans, specification, and estimates package.  

 

ARLE intersection 3

Face-to-Face Communication Expedites Work 

We facilitated prompt design reviews —by hand-delivering materials to city offices and impromptu face-to-face meetings — and fostered coordination between the City Department of Streets, Philadelphia Water Department, SEPTA, and PennDOT. As a result, improvements at four locations were designed and constructed in only one year. 

 

State-Funded Intersection Improvements Delivered in Record Time

The improvements include the addition of bumpouts, LED street lights, and much-needed ADA-compliant curb ramps; signal upgrades; and drainage improvements. Bumpouts are a tool to make intersections safer for pedestrians. Signal upgrades help improve vehicular flow and provide sufficient time for pedestrians through the use of countdown timers.