College sophomore Masamba Sinclair broke his skull in two places, chipped his elbow, and suffered a concussion along with several other minor injuries last March.
Sinclair was hit at 40 mph while crossing 38th Street just as the light was about to turn red. A truck turning left failed to notice him.
"Everyone knew the intersection was dangerous," Sinclair said. "It was just a matter of time before something happened.
In order to combat the ongoing problems on 38th Street -- particularly at Walnut and Chestnut streets -- the Undergraduate Assembly is planning to work with University and city officials to improve traffic safety conditions this semester.
The high level of pedestrian and vehicular traffic as well as the lack of pedestrian crossing signals and protected left turn signals are the main causes for danger.
"When the light turns red, there's almost no time because the opposite light [immediately] turns green," Sinclair said.
These four-lane thoroughfares have been the site of several accidents and have provoked student complaints.
His accident was so bad, he was hospitalized for three days and went home for the remainder of the semester.
"It's not at all pedestrian friendly," Levine said.
The UA and the administration would like to see pedestrian crossing signs and a protected left turn lane added.
Levine said he hopes the changes will be made over the summer, but Senior Facilities Planner Dan Garofalo estimated they may not be implemented until the end of 2005 or even 2006.
Walnut and Spruce Streets have long been a source of high volume because they are main exits from Center City, Garofalo said.
However, the city has made several changes to improve traffic safety around campus.
Several "No U-turn" signs were added along 38th Street at the end of 2004, Garofalo said.
Police have also increased their involvement in monitoring traffic and enforcing the policy forbidding U-turns, Garofalo added.
Additionally, police have begun directing traffic at the 34th and 36th Street intersections on Walnut.
Because only the city has the power to make the changes, the UA plans to appeal to city officials in order to expedite plans of improvement.
"It seems like [improving the traffic situation is] in their plans. We just want to make sure it happens sooner than later," Levine said.
