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Queens

Boulevard. Queens. A New York City Success Story. Presentation to Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals Chicago, Illinois October 10, 2005 Presented by Ann Marie Doherty Director, Research Safety and Implementation Division of Traffic Planning. New York City

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Queens

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  1. Boulevard Queens A New York City Success Story Presentation toAssociation of Pedestrian and Bicycle ProfessionalsChicago, IllinoisOctober 10, 2005Presented byAnn Marie DohertyDirector, Research Safety and ImplementationDivision of Traffic Planning New York City Department of Transportation Iris Weinshall, Commissioner City of New York Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor

  2. Project Goals Balance needs of all street users: • Emphasis on protecting pedestrians • Maintain traffic flow

  3. Queens Boulevard Corridor

  4. Primary Challenges • Roadway Characteristics • Wide Intersections (Up to 200 feet at some locations) • Main Line and Service Road (Up to 12 Lanes of Traffic) • High Speeds • High Volume of Vehicles and Pedestrians • 5,000 total vehicles in the peak hour • 1,200 pedestrians in the peak hour in one crosswalk • 2,000 pedestrians exiting/entering 33rd Street Subway stop

  5. Primary Challenges • Land Use • High Density Residential Development • Medium to High Density Commercial Activity • High Pedestrian Activity • Multi-modal connections • High-Volume subway stations and numerous bus lines • Demographics • High % of elderly residents

  6. Primary Challenges • High incidence of fatalities

  7. Saving Lives Re-engineering Queens Boulevard

  8. Re-engineering Queens Boulevard • Beginning in 1997, NYCDOT has been proactive in improving safety on Queens Boulevard • Several initiatives focused on improving the overall safety environment, with a primary focus on pedestrians. • Comprehensive Consultant-led Studies • NYCDOT Initiated Projects • Wide range of improvements

  9. Study Process • Community input and participation • Addressed needs and interests of stakeholders TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Comprised of various NYCDOT Divisions and other relevant city agencies COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Comprised of community organizations and elected officials Community Board Walk-throughs Public Comment Forms and use of DOT website Project Team Public Meetings and Presentations Ongoing meetings with Elected Officials, Community Boards and Civic Groups

  10. Pedestrian Safety StudyPhase 1 • Consultant-led studies were first initiated in 1997 on a 2 ½ mile stretch of the boulevard. • Starting in 1999 and continuing through 2003, implemented improvements included: • Installation of signalized mid-block crosswalks and high visibility crosswalks • Narrowing of service roads • Installation of pedestrian fencing, extended pedestrian refuge areas, widened medians and other pedestrian amenities • Improved signal operation to reduce speed and upgrade of traffic control devices • Installation of additional red light cameras and unique pedestrian crossing signs

  11. Pedestrian Safety Study Phase 2 • Study began in November 2001 on remaining two segments • Early action recommendations were implemented in Winter 2003/Spring 2004: • Leading Pedestrian Intervals • 150-second cycle length at all intersections • Full closure of the cross street at 33rd Street • Continued installation of pedestrian fencing • Total of 46,000 linear feet of pedestrian fencing installed • Construction began in summer 2005 to advance capital improvements

  12. Concept to Construction • A Preliminary Design Investigation (PDI) was conducted shortly after the completion of the consultant study • Some of the feasible recommendations went from PDI  Final Design  Construction within one year • Two Phase Capital Construction Program • Phase I • Intersection improvements at 33rd Street and 39th Street Subway Stations (Completed) • Median Extensions/Protection at 52nd and 54th Streets • Phase II • Construction next Spring/Summer

  13. Before

  14. Making a Difference:Early Action Phase II Impacts • Upon completion of Phase II projects, a study was conducted comparing 9 months “before” implementation vs. 9 months “after” • 14% reduction in total accidents • 50% reduction in fatalities • 53% reduction in pedestrian accidents • 26% reduction in accidents resulting in an injury • Speeds stabilized within the 30 mph speed limit • Volume did not change significantly

  15. Queens Boulevard Today • Together with the Police Department, NYCDOT has made the Queens Boulevard corridor a significantly safer environment for all users • From inception of the Pedestrian Safety Program, the fatality rate has fallen to 5.3 per year, significantly less than the 11.5 fatalities per year for the previous 7 ½ years • Total yearly accidents have fallen 32% since 1993 • Pedestrian accidents remain at record lows, down 34% since 1993 • NYCDOT will remain committed to safety along the corridor • Accident tracking • Maintenance of Safety Mitigation measures

  16. For Additional Information Contact: Ann Marie Doherty Deputy Director, Traffic Planning New York City Department of Transportation 40 Worth Street, Room 928 New York, NY 10013 Tel: 212-676-1682 Email: adoherty@dot.nyc.gov Web Site: www.nyc.gov/dot

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