Application Deadline Extended to February 15th!
To learn more and submit your community’s application please visit our Neighborhood Slow Zone Website. If you have any questions about the application you can reach us by email at otis@phila.gov or by phone at (215) 436-9886.
The Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (OTIS) is accepting applications for the Neighborhood Slow Zone Program, connecting community members and engineers to design and build traffic calming safety improvements on residential streets.
About the Neighborhood Slow Zone Program
The Neighborhood Slow Zone Program offers residents the opportunity to work with the City to reduce vehicle speeds and improve visibility on neighborhood streets. Local knowledge from residents is essential for identifying and designing improvements that make neighborhood streets safer for all residents, no matter how they choose to travel. OTIS is now accepting applications through January 15th, 2023.
How Slow Zone Improvements Reduce Speeds
Posted speed limits in neighborhoods selected for the Slow Zone Program will be reduced to 20MPH. Traffic calming measures, such as speed cushions and corner clearances, will be installed to help enforce the lower speed limit. Depending on the specific challenges that neighbors and the City identify, traffic calming measures may include:
- Gateway treatments
- Corner clearances
- Speed cushions
- Chicanes
- Neighborhood traffic circles
- Diverters
- Raised crosswalks
- Street murals
- Changes to street directions
- Pavement markings and signs
How a Slow Zone is Designed
Selected neighborhoods will participate in a co-design process with city staff and engineers to address their challenges and needs. The City will work closely with the primary applicant to plan and hold an initial design meeting for community members and stakeholders. Based on that input, the City will then develop conceptual plans. These plans will be reviewed at a second meeting where community members will ask questions, provide feedback, make suggestions, and help further refine the design. The community will review these revised plans at a final meeting prior to construction.
2019 Applicants Looking to Re-Apply
Applicants from 2019 are welcome and encouraged to apply again. Prior applicants do not have to submit all materials again, but they must submit the following to have their prior application be considered in the new round:
- An updated letter of support from the primary applicant
- An updated letter of support from district City Councilmember (or district office in the case the position is vacant)
- Prior applicants may also send additional letters of community support, as the scoring criteria will include 5 points for this criterion.
How to Apply
Applicants may use an online application option, or, may apply by email or mail.
- First, visit the How to Apply page to view application instructions, evaluation criteria, and a checklist of required materials.
- If using the online application, please Apply Online.
- If applying by email or mail, download a pdf of the application, including all instructions of where to submit.
- To request that a paper copy of the application be mailed to you, contact otis@phila.gov or call (215) 436-9886.
- All applications must be received by January 15, 2023.
OTIS expects to announce Slow Zone selections in Spring 2023.
