Philadelphia Magazine’s 2023 Best of Philly — Best City Agency
Nobody likes getting a parking ticket, but despite issuing over 1.5 million of them last year, the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) was just named the “Best” city agency for 2023 by Philadelphia Magazine. This selection is a testament to our Executive team’s hard work, dedication, and vision and our more than 1,000-strong workforce.
PPA in the News 2023
Wednesday, December 13th, 2023:
Monday, December 11th, 2023:
Thursday, November 9th, 2023:
Finally: The PPA made a map of Philly’s residential permit parking zones
One Man’s Quest To Change the PPA — City Cast Philly Podcast
Saturday October, 7th, 2023:
Rich Lazer Would Like You to Love the PPA. No, Seriously.
Thursday, October, 5th, 2023:
Beyond the Curb: How the PPA Enhances Public Safety & Quality of Life
Friday, September, 29th, 2023:
Q&A with PPA Executive Director Rich Lazer
Tuesday, September, 19th, 2023:
Traffic camera programs in Pa. are reducing fatalities and speeding, officials say
Wednesday, June 13th, 2023:
The Pa. legislature should make speed cameras permanent
Monday, May 1st, 2023:
Cars will now be ticketed for parking on street-sweeping routes and in bike lanes
PPA’s Bike Lane Enforcement Unit Hits the Streets
Friday, April 28th, 2023:
Philly will increase policing of bike lanes in effort to improve traffic safety
Join the PPA Bike Enforcement Patrol Launch on May 1
PPA To Start Cracking Down On Cars Parked In Bike Lanes
Thursday, April 27th, 2023:
PPA will soon launch cycling patrols to crack down on parking in bike lanes
PPA will start cracking down on parking in bike lanes next week
PPA to Start Issuing Bike Lane Tickets for Illegally Parked Cars
PPA to start cracking down on cars parked in bike lanes
Drivers beware: PPA is stepping up enforcement of Philly bike lanes
Stay in your lane: PPA to roll out new bike lane enforcement unit
Wednesday, March 29th, 2023:
Thursday, March 9th, 2023:
Major U.S. cities cracking down on missing and fake license plates
PPA Launches Tool To Tackle ‘Ghost Cars’ on Philly Streets
Tuesday, March 7th, 2023:
Philadelphia Parking Authority cracking down on ‘ghost cars’
Monday, March 6th, 2023:
Ghost cars’: Philadelphia cracking down on cars missing license plates to avoid tickets, towing
Friday, March 3rd, 2023:
PPA gets rare Philly ” /> after it starts towing cars without license plates
Tuesday, February 28th, 2023:
Ghost Cars’: Blurred Plates, No Plates on Philly Streets, Beyond
Thursday, February 23rd, 2023:
City removes abandoned shipping container that was blocking drivers views
Thursday, January 12th, 2023:
Philadelphia receives $14.5M in speed-enforcement funding
Saturday, January 7th, 2023:
Crashes are down 36% on Roosevelt Blvd., thanks to speed cameras. Pa. is urged to approve more.
PPA in the News 2022
Tuesday, September 27th, 2022:
Ticketing blitz’ will target drivers double-parked in Center City bus lanes
Monday, September 26th, 2022:
Philly is cracking down on drivers who block bus lanes
Police in Center City ramp up enforcement against drivers blocking bus lanes
Tuesday, September 20th, 2022:
PPA to Increase Ticketing of Illegal Bus Lane Parking – NBC10 Philadelphia
Philly will increase enforcement of bus lane restrictions to help reduce traffic congestion
Ramped up bus lane enforcement coming to Center City – Metro Philadelphia
Saturday, September 17th, 2022:
Philadelphia Parking Authority to install several new red light cameras in the city
Friday, September 16th, 2022:
Philadelphia Parking Authority to drivers: Look for more red-light cameras in the next year
More red-light cameras are coming to Philly streets, including one by the Rocky statue
Sunday, July 31st, 2022:
Philadelphia Parking Authority starts de-escalation training after an uptick in assaults (Bridging Philly — KYW Podcast)
Wednesday, May 25th, 2022:
Philadelphia joins cities tackling bike lane violations
Monday, May 23rd, 2022:
Bike-mounted officers to keep Philadelphia cycle lanes clear
Thursday, May 19th, 2022:
Speed cameras are saving lives and should stay | Editorial
Wednesday, May 18th, 2022:
PPA is marshaling a cycle-mounted patrol of officers to ticket vehicles that block bike lanes
PPA to Crack Down on ‘Dangerous’ Drivers Parking in Philly Bike Lanes
After writing 26,000 tickets in 8 years for bike lane parking, PPA hires officers to crackdown
Philadelphia Parking Authority to introduce new initiative to improve safety for bicyclists
PPA Pledges Enforcement Officers on Bikes to Increase Enforcement of Illegal Bike Lane Parking
Parking Authority announces bike lane enforcement initiative
Wednesday, May 11th, 2022:
PPA: Roosevelt Boulevard Speeding Violations Decrease by 91% Since Cameras Installed
Speed cams on Roosevelt Boulevard are slowing drivers, and curbing violations, report says
With Speeding Down on Roosevelt Blvd., PPA Wants to Expand Speed Cam Program
A picture is worth $100: Speed cameras successfully slowing traffic on Roosevelt Blvd.
Tuesday, May 10th, 2022:
Speeding tickets and crashes fell after enforcement cameras came to Roosevelt Blvd.
Wednesday, April 6th, 2022:
More than 1 million have downloaded mobile pay-parking app, PPA says
How the Roosevelt Blvd Speed Cameras Save Lives and Need to Be Renewed & Expanded
The Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard have saved lives by reducing excessive speeds, which cause fatal and serious injury crashes. However, speed cameras are set to expire at the end of 2023. Speed cameras should be renewed and expanded to additional corridors in the city.
The City and many activist groups have advocated for the Commonwealth to take action. The Pennsylvania General Assembly and Senate are debating three bills about speed cameras:
- House Bill 1284 is the most expansive. The House version of this bill removes the expiration date. The bill also allows the City and PennDOT to coordinate on expanding speed cameras to additional Philadelphia corridors where speeding-related crashes occur.
- The House Bill 1662 and Senate Bill 748, would make speed cameras permanent with tweaks. But these two bills would not allow for expansion of speed cameras.
- The Senate has and will amend HB 1284 further when it reconvenes in mid-December, but it is not clear which provisions will remain or change.
95% Fewer Speeding Violations on Roosevelt Boulevard
Every fatal and serious injury crash is tragic, impacting the lives of our family, friends, and valued community members.
Recently, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania analyzed the safety impacts of the automated speed enforcement (ASE) program on Roosevelt Boulevard. The researchers found that speed cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard have saved a just under 1 life per month.
Overall, about 36 lives have been saved on Roosevelt Boulevard since speed cameras went live.
Roosevelt Boulevard has become much safer. The 2023 Vision Zero Annual Report shows:
- 95% fewer speeding violations.
- 21% fewer fatal and serious injury crashes.
- 50% fewer crashes involving people walking.
Work Zones See Significant Safety Benefits
In work zones with speed cameras, PennDOT has seen 25% fewer fatal crashes. PennDOT has found that speed cameras lead to a 15%-50% reduction in total work zone crashes.
Since the start of enforcement in March 2020 through the end of 2021, PennDOT has also found that speeding in Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement (AWZSE) enforced work zones has reduced to 20% of all traffic. Excessive speeding, of at least 11 mph over the speed limit, has reduced to 3% of all traffic.
Why the Speed Cameras Were Installed
Roosevelt Boulevard has long been among the most dangerous roads in the state. The City is leading a transformation of the corridor through the Route for Change Program. The City received a $78 million Mega grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for traffic safety treatments on the Boulevard.
The speed cameras — more formally called automated speed enforcement (ASE) – were signed into law in 2018. The law allowed a 5-year pilot program of speed cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard and in work zones. The Philadelphia Parking Authority manages the speed cameras. The cameras went live with enforcement in August 2020, following a two-month warning period.
Expanding Speed Cameras to Additional Corridors in Philadelphia
Speeding continues to be the top contributing factor in fatal and serious injury crashes in Philadelphia — see speed-related crash map (via Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia). Since 2020, speeding has accounted for 20% for fatal and serious injury crashes, according to the 2023 Vision Zero Annual Report.
Roosevelt Boulevard is not the only corridor in Philadelphia where excessive speeds contribute to deaths and serious injuries. Speeding-related crashes have risen on corridors like Broad Street, Frankford Avenue, and Girard Avenue.
Since speed cameras were installed on Roosevelt Boulevard, speeding-related crashes have gone down, and traffic safety is trending in the right direction. The success on Roosevelt Boulevard shows the impact of speed cameras. Now, speed cameras need to be expanded to more corridors.
Throughout the year, the City has advocated for renewing and expanding speed cameras, including testimonial hearings in Harrisburg. This legislation is absolutely needed as part of the City’s overall efforts to change the driving culture of Philadelphia. We will continue our push as the sunset clause on this program nears in December.
December 2023: Regular Board Meeting
The Authority’s Regular Board Meeting scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 19, 2023, will be held in-person at PPA Headquarters and virtually via Microsoft Teams webinar. You may register to attend the Board meeting virtually HERE.
Anyone wishing to make comment at the Regular Board Meeting via the Webinar must contact Kelly Quinn at kquinn@philapark.org. All such emails and requests must be received by Ms. Quinn by December 18, 2023 to be considered for the meeting.
PPA Holiday Parking Specials
Garage Specials:
For a flat rate of only $14 on Saturdays, you can park at the following PPA garages between 11 a.m. and 12 midnight. This discounted rate will be in effect from Saturday, November 25th, 2023, until the new year.
Note: To receive the $14 flat-rate, please visit the garage management office for your discount validation ticket.
-
- AutoPark at Independence Mall (6th & Market Streets)
- AutoPark at Olde City (2nd & Chestnut Streets)
- Parkade on 8th (8th & Filbert Street)
- AutoPark at Jefferson (10th & Ludlow Streets)
- AutoPark at Fashion District (9th & Filbert Street)
- Family Courthouse Garage (15th & Arch Streets)