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WORLD CLASS STREETSSurveys indicated clear supportamong New Yorkers and local businessesfor changes in Times SquareKey findings of the six–month evaluation were:– The number of pedestrians in Times Square increased by 11%and in Herald Square by 6% following implementation.– 80% fewer pedestrians were walking in the street in TimesSquare following implementation Injuries to motorists andvehicle passengers in the project area declined by 63%– Pedestrian injuries were down 35%– Travel times improved by 15% on 6th Avenue and by 4% on 7thAvenue the project was implemented.Herald SquareEVALUATION– Injuries to motorists and vehicle passengers in the project areadeclined by 63%– Pedestrian injuries were down 35%The Green Light for Midtownchanges were made with an explicitpublic declaration that they werepilots, with a definite six–monthevaluation window and subsequentdecision–making about theirpermanence. In December 2009,NYCDOT reported results of theevaluation to Mayor Bloomberg.Mayor Bloomberg announced inFebruary 2010 that these resultswarranted making the Green Lightfor Midtown changes permanent.The Mayor noted the project’sdramatic safety improvements andsaid that “Surveys indicate clearsupport among New Yorkers andlocal businesses for the project,and the increased foot traffic hasbeen good for business.”– Taxi GPS data showed a greater improvement in northboundtravel speeds in West Midtown than in East Midtown—17%vs 8%—from Fall 2008 to Fall 2009. Southbound speedsdeclined by 2% in West Midtown vs. a 3% improvement inEast Midtown.Sustainable Streets: 2013 and Beyond139