NYMTC Regional Pedestrian Safety Study - New York Metropolitan ...

and funding has been secured to advance some of them. The Department of City Planning, the
New York City Department of Transportation and the Department of Parks and Recreation have
comprehensive programs to refine the preliminary plan, examine the feasibility of some of its
components, create master plans to guide development, and implement portions of the greenway
system. Although this plan is one of the older plans listed in this section, it identified the need
for design standards and developed a public awareness program including safety information.
NYCDOT also publishes an annual report on safety improvements, which includes crash
statistics and safety projects throughout the city. NYCDOT has accelerated its efforts to improve
pedestrian and traffic safety at locations that have repeatedly been the site of traffic or
pedestrian-related accidents. These efforts have sharply reduced the number of traffic-related
accidents and fatalities. The most recent report, Safe Streets NYC, is available at:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/safety/safety.html.
Bronx
Grand Concourse Pedestrian Safety Demonstration Project (NYCDOT): The width of the
service roads was decreased in order to slow down vehicle traffic, reduce pedestrian crossing
distances, and increase refuge areas. Pedestrian accidents have decreased from 26 in 1998 to 14
in 2001.
Brooklyn
Pedestrian/Traffic Safety Mitigation Project (Urbitran for Borough of Brooklyn, 2002): Three of
the top accident-prone intersections were analyzed. Recommendations included reconfiguration
of lanes, changes to signal timing, high visibility crosswalks, curb extensions, new signage, and
safety education.
Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Study (Arup for NYCDOT, 2004): A comprehensive
areawide Traffic Management Plan was developed, which included pedestrian safety
improvements. The improvements including neckdowns (sidewalk extensions at corners),
leading pedestrian intervals, and the reclamation of space for pedestrians have been
implemented. Other improvement measures are being advanced through the City’s Capital
Program (http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/dntnbklyntraf.html).
Manhattan
Lower Manhattan Pedestrianization Study (NYCDOT and NYC Department of City Planning,
1997): Although this project was completed in 1997, it is still referred to as a model project.
The recommendations included neckdowns, signalization changes, removal of obstructions.
These improvements to the pedestrian circulation system are complemented by the redesign of
downtowns streets developed by the area’s Business Improvement District.
Safe Routes for Seniors (Transportation Alternatives and NYS Department of Health): The goal
of the project is to encourage seniors to walk. One of the results is recommendations for changes
in design standards to make the streets safer for older pedestrians.
NYMTC Pedestrian Safety Study 29