SW PA Regional Safety Action Plan’s goal: Zero traffic deaths or serious injuries

Also: Take this air quality survey and get involved in measuring, understanding and advocating against air pollution

By Hazelwood Initiative Director of Engagement and Sustainability Lauren Coursey and Managing Editor Juliet Martinez The Feb. 11 Greater Hazelwood community meeting drew a good crowd of in-person attendees and close to 20 people online. The discussion was lively as presenters talked about traffic safety and a new project looking at air pollution.

Regional Safety Action Plan

Nancy Hirsch, a planner in the Transportation Operations and Safety Division of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, presented the 2025 update for the Regional Safety Action Plan, which will be adopted in June of this year.

The plan is currently in its 30-day public comment period before it goes before the Planning Commission. Ms. Hirsch said the goal is to achieve “Vision Zero,” which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Two of the cities that have achieved this goal are Hoboken, New Jersey, and Helsinki, Finland.

Residents play a major role in developing the Regional Safety Action Plan. The commission invites them to share their stories. The planning process involves gathering data and assessing the effectiveness of safety programs and infrastructure improvements.

Ms. Hirsch said children and older people, pedestrians, and bicyclists are most vulnerable on the road. Speed, vehicle design, size and weight determine how serious a crash may be. She also shared local data on fatal and serious crashes in the region using data from PennDOT.

Meeting participants asked Ms. Hirsch about different types of traffic-calming tools. She gave several examples.

Chicanes are serpentine curves that slow traffic. Speed tables are raised mid-block structures that a vehicle has to slow down to go over. Boulders can be placed to protect pedestrian areas. Daylighting removes parking spaces near an intersection to improve sightlines for drivers and pedestrians.

The commission is working on a dedicated page for community engagement, but if you would like to share your input on the Regional Safety Action Plan before it is presented to the Planning Commission, you can fill out the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/G5NFGL7.

Air quality project

Rosta Farzan, a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, presented a project aimed at improving air quality in Hazelwood. The possible project would involve partnering with Hazelwood Initiative and Center of Life. Researchers would place air monitoring sensors around the neighborhood and collect and make sense of the data. Then they would looking at the data with residents to decide what steps to take next.  

Residents who participate in the project will be compensated for their time. There will also be an air purifier giveaway as a thank you to the community.  

A meeting participant asked what they can do about poor air quality. Ms. Farzan said the burden of fixing poor air quality should not fall on individuals because it is the result of public policy decisions. She suggested using indoor air purifiers when the outdoor air quality makes opening doors or windows for ventilation unsafe. She also suggested growing house plants indoors as a low-tech, low-cost way to purify the air.  

Ms. Farzan encouraged attendees to use the survey to share their questions, comments and concerns about a project coming to Hazelwood. Interested? Take a survey at tinyurl.com/hzwd-air-quality-project.  

Hazelwood Initiative updates 

Hazelwood Initiative Executive Director Sonya Tilghman said Gladstone Residences are close to being ready for tenants to move in. See the ad below to find out how to apply to live there.

Real Estate Director Nancy Noszka announced the planned construction of five new homes and a home buyer workshop in late March or early April.  

Ms. Noszka also said the URA’s Homeowner Assistance Program has reopened. It offers grants of up to $35,000 to eligible homeowners for essential repairs. Anyone who is interested should see the ad below and contact Action Housing for more information.

News from the mayor’s office 

Hazelwood Initiative Director of Engagement and Sustainability Lauren Coursey shared announcements from the office of Mayor Ed Gainey. The mayor has nominated Acting Chief Ragland for the permanent chief position with support from Allegheny County and Public Safety officials. The City of Pittsburgh has launched a new 311 intake system and a Pgh311 mobile app, replacing the MyBurgh app.