2013-dot-sustainable-streets-lowres

SAFETYDOT created a robust set of opportunitiesfor public participation in Jackson HeightsJACKSON HEIGHTSIn 2011, DOT carried out acomprehensive set of improvementsin the heart of Jackson Heights,the culmination of a community–driven planning process thatstarted in 2009. Local residents,business owners and elected andcivic leaders had expressed arange of pressing transportationconcerns and worked with DOTto guide the development ofsolutions. DOT created a robustset of opportunities for publicparticipation, including communityworkshops, neighborhood walk–throughs, an innovative web portalthat allowed DOT staff to receiveand respond to comments at anytime, and a Community AdvisoryCommittee to facilitate ongoinginvolvement of key stakeholders.The project addressed trafficsafety, as well as sidewalkcrowding, vehicle congestion,parking availability, slow busservice and a lack of publicopen space. Focused on thearea where 73rd Street, 37thRoad, Broadway and RooseveltAvenue converge, the coreimprovements were carriedout in the second half of 2011.Updated curb regulations wereintroduced in spring 2012,offering a better use of space fordeliveries and customer parking.Further parking improvementswere implemented in 2013 withthe introduction of the variable–rate PARK Smart program.There are fewer injury–causing crashes; problematictraffic bottlenecks have beeneliminated; buses are faster andmore efficient; and the 37thRoad plaza is a popular gatheringspot year–round, home tofrequent public events and aboon to adjacent businesses.Safety performance in the areahas improved markedly sinceimplementation—total crasheswith injuries have declinedby 26%.Online portal for participation in Jackson HeightsOnline portal for participation in Jackson HeightsSustainable Streets: 2013 and Beyond49