The March Special Presentation highlighted the City of Lancaster’s Vision Zero initiative—adopted in 2020—with the goal of eliminating all fatal and serious injury crashes by 2030. With 600–800 crashes annually, the need for safer, more thoughtfully designed streets is clear.

City representatives Ms. Hamme and Ms. McCormick outlined key challenges, including high-crash one-way streets, state-owned corridors, and heavily trafficked commercial districts. They emphasized that meaningful safety improvements require complex, multi-year infrastructure projects involving roadway redesign, utility coordination, and updated curbside management.

Design priorities focus on accessibility, preservation of historic character, stormwater management, emergency access, lighting, materials, and balancing the many demands placed on Lancaster’s streets.

Participants raised concerns about speeding (particularly on Orange Street), cyclist behavior on sidewalks, double parking, limited visibility, and delivery-related congestion. The City is addressing these issues through strategies such as increased daylighting, improved loading zones, and exploration of new technologies. Delivery traffic remains a significant factor, with services like DoorDash accounting for a substantial share of downtown activity.

Traffic-calming measures—including stop signs, red-light enforcement, and speed hump pilots—are under consideration, with enforcement expected to expand through a contracted provider. Existing tools, such as Rectangular Flashing Beacons (RFBs), have proven effective.

A key focus of Vision Zero is evaluating two-way street conversions, which can reduce crashes, improve access for businesses, and create more balanced traffic patterns. Current analysis is prioritizing King and Orange Streets due to their lower projected impact on the broader network.

The discussion also explored the future of Penn Square, a high-traffic pedestrian area, with audience suggestions ranging from enhanced signage and all-pedestrian crossings to more transformative options such as a roundabout or skybridge.