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Borough updates Vision Zero work and schedules active‑transportation stakeholder meetings starting March 11
Summary
The borough’s Director of Transportation, Jeff Bergton, reported crash data showing an average of about 182 reportable crashes per year (2020–2024), a higher share of crashes on state roads, and a rise in bicycle crashes from 8 (2024) to 20 (2025). Staff outlined completed safety changes and three upcoming stakeholder meetings beginning March 11 to gather public input.
Councilor Charles introduced a Vision Zero update at the March 4 workshop. Jeff Bergton, the borough’s director of transportation and waste management, told council staff reviewed two data sets — PennDOT reportable‑crash records and the borough’s bicycle/pedestrian data — and presented trends, recent improvements and outreach plans.
Bergton summarized five years of PennDOT crash data (2020–2024), saying the borough sees about 150–200 reportable crashes annually with an average of 182. “State roads make up only about 15% of the borough’s boundary roadway miles, but have roughly 60% of the crashes,” he said, attributing the disparity to higher traffic volumes on state routes.
On vulnerable users, Bergton said the borough’s bike/ped tracking (started in 2023) shows pedestrian crashes clustered downtown near signalized intersections and bicycle crashes more dispersed at stop‑controlled or midblock locations. He reported bicycle crashes rose from 8 in 2024 to 20 in 2025 and that serious‑injury/fatal bike‑ped incidents were none in 2024 and two serious injuries plus one fatality in 2025. Bergton identified the fatality site as South Hanover and Pumpfort and said it involved a motorist driving under the influence.
Bergton reviewed recent safety measures: ladder‑style crosswalks and roadside pedestrian signs at South Hanover and Ridge, new lead‑pedestrian intervals (LPIs) at signalized intersections, pedestrian signage approvals with PennDOT (pavement markings scheduled for late spring), bollards and warning signs near the skate spot, and traffic‑calming line and lane adjustments. He said the borough applied for and received a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant to develop a comprehensive safety action plan that will support future SS4A implementation grants for construction work.
Jared described a three‑part stakeholder series to engage the public: March 11 (crash‑data analysis) at Carlisle Alliance Church (237 East North St.), a second meeting at Dickinson College (Stern Hall, 208 West North St.), and an interactive third session at Burl Hall (53 West Street) with small‑group mapping exercises to gather community input. Jared said the third session will be in‑person only to facilitate small‑group mapping.
Council members asked staff to disaggregate e‑bikes from conventional bicycles and said they wanted clarity on how multi‑party incidents (for example, two scooters colliding) are counted; staff said they will pursue deeper analysis and follow up with details on counting conventions and post‑crash injury reporting.
Next steps: staff will analyze trends further, pursue clarifications on crash‑reporting conventions and proceed with public‑engagement meetings beginning March 11.
