Improving auto risk mitigation on dangerous roads
Kyle Langan, 2025
Auto risk mitigation in the birthplace of America
Will Philadelphia innovate? The city’s incomplete Litter Index survey for 6 years in a row does not seem like innovation (credit to a story I read,
Dangerous conditions for pedestrians
Broad St at Cherry St in Philadelphia looked like a dangerous game of real-life Frogger the last time I saw. Center city Philadelphia seemed practically dangerous for pedestrians; roughly 20,000 may attend the PA Convention Center, which hosts an annual concert on the Friday and Saturday after Christmas. And no closed streets or police direction on Friday night with 20,000 marginal pedestrians? Then, police overreacted on Saturday, to their missing presence on Friday. That’s OK – we can overcompensate, overreact to errors, and that is commonly how innovation is made.
Tactical vs. Strategic mitigation
Last summer, Aaron Moselle coined Broad Street “Philly’s most dangerous roadway.” [2] It has 6-lanes: 3 going north, 3 going south, with a 25 MPH speed limit. Many drivers go 30 MPH and higher. A walking pedestrian can witness these speeds practically while on a visit to City Hall.
At half-way point of 2024: Philadelphia was on pace for 102 deaths resulting from traffic crashes, nearly half of them were pedestrians. [3]
Frequency ~ 51 pedestrian accident deaths per year in Philadelphia
How might pedestrian victims’ families feel afterward? Imagine the last time parents see their child is Christmas day, and before the New Year arrives, their child is killed by an auto collision. The occurrence of an auto collision is quite easy to envision with 20,000 additional pedestrians in a highly concentrated circumference around the PA Convention Center. A lack of vigilance from convention center attendees can also bring concerns. Finally, an event may bring even more indirect pedestrians, e.g. individuals selling merchandise to the attendees.
The best outcome in a hypothetical auto accident results in a simple fender bender handled by two properly-insured parties, to repair their damaged autos. The worst outcome is one of the 51 annual pedestrians struck and killed by an auto in Philadelphia.
Tactically, Philadelphia may respond to the hazard with more police cars the next day. However, a strategic mitigation plan would have the surrounding area of the Convention Center proactively shut down for the entire duration of the event.
Broad Street should implement the following strategic mechanisms
Recommendations for the Broad St at Cherry St Area during large events at the PA Convention Center:
- Lower speed limits;
- Recommendation: 20 MPH (20% reduction)
- More police cars focused on traffic stops for speed, reckless driving and DUI concerns;
- Recommendation: Pinal County, AZ sets a great example for this, and documents it publicly on YouTube
- Full streets or certain blocks get shut down for the duration of the event bringing increased pedestrians;
- Recommendation: Downtown Miami, FL has practical experience successfully organizing this during “Miami Music Week”
The Most Important Risk Transfer?
The pace for over 100 auto-related deaths in one city per year shows why Auto Insurance remains the most important kind to purchase. Autos move, and humans operate them. This is why any owner of autos should partner with an expert to confirm adequacy of Auto Insurance, especially for a commercial fleet. For an owner of a $30 million dollar property in Malibu, they may think property insurance is most vital. But they should ask, “what if someone sues me for $100 million claiming I killed a pedestrian with my SUV?”
Conclusion: Strategic mitigation is critical
Strategic risk mitigation: Close immediately surrounding streets of a large concert venue proactively, for a defined time; communicate in advance of the event. Street signs should make drivers aware. A temporary street sign may read “SOME STREETS CLOSED; CAUTION: SLOW FOR INCREASED PEDESTRIANS.”
Example of successful risk mitigation, where pedestrians benefit from strategic efforts to reduce likelihood, consequences of accidents: Ultra Music Festival in Downtown Miami, FL
Edited January 6, 2025 by Kyle Langan
References
[1] Bradley, R. (2023, September 20). Universa’s Mark Spitznagel on making money while markets crash. Worth. https://worth.com/universas-mark-spitznagel-on-making-money-while-markets-crash/
[2, 3] Moselle, A. (2024, July 8). PPA is getting ready to install speed cameras along Philly’s most dangerous roadway. WHYY. https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-speed-cameras-broad-street-traffic-safety/