The Big Picture: How Networks and Space Efficiency Create a Better Philly for Everyone

And how a more livable Philly is better for its bottom line

TL;DR: Philly faces two transportation realities: we can't fit more cars, and disconnected bike/transit infrastructure doesn't work. The solution? Commit to complete networks of space-efficient transportation that create a virtuous cycle of less congestion, easier parking, and better mobility for all.

Over the past couple weeks, I've written about two fundamental transportation truths:

1. Philly's spatial geometry means we physically can't accommodate more cars

2. Disconnected, piecemeal bike/transit infrastructure fails to create meaningful alternatives

These aren't separate issues – they're two sides of the same coin. Today, I want to connect these dots and paint the bigger picture of what a sensible transportation future looks like for our city.

Where We Are: The Downward Spiral

Right now, we're caught in a vicious cycle:

• We design streets primarily for cars

• This makes alternatives unsafe/inconvenient

• So more people drive

• Creating more congestion

• Which makes buses slower and less reliable

• So even more people drive

• Rinse and repeat

Each year, we try to squeeze more cars into the same limited space, like trying to stuff another Angelo’s pizza box into the only trash can for 6 blocks around. Continuing like this, you’ll have to wade through a load of garbage to get anywhere.

Meanwhile, we build the occasional bike lane that ends abruptly at a dangerous intersection. We run buses that sit in the same traffic as cars. We create pedestrian plazas that are surrounded by hostile roadways.

And then we wonder why these half-measures don't magically transform our transportation system or spark joy for our residents.

The Vision: A Virtuous Cycle

Now imagine a different approach – one where we acknowledge both spatial reality and network effects:

Step 1: Identify key transportation corridors

• Where do people need to go and where are they coming from?

• What routes connect major destinations?

• Which streets have the width to accommodate multiple modes?

Step 2: Design complete networks, not isolated projects

• Continuous, protected bicycle routes that connect neighborhoods

• Dedicated bus lanes on major corridors

• Safe, comfortable pedestrian paths throughout

Step 3: Implement systematically, not piecemeal

• Build connected segments that create usable routes from day one

• Measure success by network performance, not individual project metrics

• Don't stop halfway – commit to completing connections

This approach creates a virtuous cycle:

• Complete networks make alternatives viable

• More people choose alternatives for some trips

• This all reduces congestion for those who need to drive

• Which makes the entire system more efficient

Real-World Examples of Success

This isn't theoretical – cities similar to Philly have already proven it works:

Seville, Spain

• Built an 80km connected bike network in just 36 months

• Cycling mode share jumped from 0.5% to 7% almost immediately

• Traffic congestion dropped 15% citywide

Paris, France

• Implemented "15-minute city" concept with connected bike/pedestrian networks

• Removed 70,000 parking spaces to create protected bike lanes

• Traffic decreased 45% since 2000 while mobility improved

Boston, Massachusetts

• Created connected bus priority corridors

• Bus travel times improved 25-40% on these routes

• Ridership increased 30% on improved routes

Each of these cities committed to complete networks of space-efficient transportation, and each saw dramatic improvements not just for cyclists and transit users, but for drivers too.

What This Means for Philly's Streets

Let's get specific about what this could look like here:

East-West Connections We need at least 3 continuous, protected crosstown routes in Center City – not just Spruce and Pine with their faded paint and constant delivery truck blockages. Real, physical separation from traffic that maintains continuity through intersections.

North-South Connections Instead of sharrows on 13th Street (which are just passive-aggressive reminders that cyclists exist), we need physically protected lanes connecting South Philly to North Philly neighborhoods.

Transit Priority Dedicated bus lanes on major arterials like Broad, Market, Roosevelt Boulevard, and Frankford Ave. Not just during rush hour – all day. With camera enforcement to keep them clear.

Neighborhood Slow Zones Traffic calming that makes residential streets safe for walking and biking without needing dedicated infrastructure. Things like raised crosswalks really are the stuff of paradise once you experience it.

The Benefits for Everyone

Here's where it gets good – this approach actually helps everyone:

For Drivers:

• Less congestion from unnecessary car trips

• More available parking when short trips shift to other modes

• Clearer designation of where driving is prioritized

• Less time wasted in traffic

For Transit Riders:

• Faster, more reliable service

• Better connections between modes

• More frequency as ridership increases

• Less crowding as service improves

For Cyclists:

• Safe, connected routes to more destinations

• Less stress from navigating dangerous gaps

• More company on the roads (safety in numbers)

• Better infrastructure maintenance as usage increases

For Pedestrians:

• Shorter crossing distances

• More sidewalk space

• Less traffic noise and pollution

• More vibrant street life

For Businesses:

• More customer capacity (bikes and transit bring more people using less space)

• More pass-by visibility as people move at human speeds

• More disposable income as transportation costs decrease

• More attractive streets that draw visitors

The Path Forward: Breaking the Deadlock

Getting from here to there won't be easy. The politics of street space are contentious, and change is hard. But we can start by:

1. Changing how we measure success

   • Person throughput, not vehicle throughput

   • Network connectivity, not miles of infrastructure

   • Access to opportunities, not travel speed

2. Committing to complete networks

   • No more bike lanes to nowhere

   • No more bus improvements that end at district boundaries

   • No more pedestrian improvements surrounded by dangerous roads

3. Focusing resources strategically

   • Better to have five great, connected corridors than 20 incomplete ones

   • Target investments where network effects are strongest

   • Build on existing assets and complete missing links first

4. Being honest about space constraints

   • We cannot accommodate more cars – full stop

   • Every transportation decision is a space allocation decision

   • The most efficient uses of space should be prioritized

The Bottom Line

Philadelphia doesn't have a congestion problem – it has a space allocation problem. We're using our limited street space inefficiently, and no amount of traffic engineering magic can overcome basic geometry.

At the same time, we're squandering opportunities to create viable alternatives by building disconnected fragments instead of functional networks.

The solution is to bring these insights together: build complete networks of space-efficient transportation options. This isn't about being anti-car – it's about being pro-math and pro-reality.

For those who genuinely need to drive, nothing would improve their experience more than having other viable options for those who don't. For everyone else, having real choices beyond driving would transform daily life.

Let's stop the piecemeal planning and commit to a transportation system that works within Philly's spatial reality – one that creates complete networks of efficient options. Our streets can work better for everyone, but not if we keep pretending we can fit unlimited cars into limited space.

Let's make getting around Philly suck less – by working with our city's reality, not against it.

P.S.: Pro tip for our esteemed Mayor and Council: Make Philly great to live in, and you won’t have to worry about businesses, residents, and investment leaving the city. Make it possible for residents to get around, then you can figure out the suburbanites’ conundrum. When people want to be here, businesses do, too.