Madison Avenue Traffic Calming

1. Madison Avenue Traffic Calming Who We Are: Consortium of 17 neighborhood associations, churches, schools, hospital, and businesses concerned about economic health and public safety. What We Seek: Common Council support for Madison Avenue Traffic calming project

2. -Traffic Calming Concept

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4. Traffic Calming Concept

5. Benefits - Fewer Traffic Lanes Mean Fewer Accidents

6. 4-Lane Madison Ave. Traffic Accidents 2000-2009 14,000 AADT (Volume of Traffic) Total Traffic Accidents: 2,252 • Bicycle: 26 • Pedestrian: 96 • Other vehicles: 2,067 • Other: 63

7. 2- Lane Western Avenue Traffic Accidents, 2000-2009 19,000 AADT (Volume of Traffic) Total Traffic Accidents: 900 • Bicycle: 12 • Pedestrian: 40 • Other vehicles: 824 • Other: 24

8. Madison Avenue Traffic Infractions 2000-2009 3950 Traffic Infractions • 109 Failure to obey traffic signaling • 1246 speed violations (includes school zone, construction zone, road condition, maximum limit violations) • 2571 traffic device violations Benefit: Traffic Calming Leads to Fewer Traffic Infractions

9. Traffic Calming Reduces Speeding – Makes Street Safer for All

10. Benefit: Improved Access for Emergency Vehicles • Bypass congestion • Space for vehicles to pull to side of the road Courtesy of Thomas Welch, Director, Office of Transportation Safety, IDOT.

11. Benefit - Economic Improvement – Case Study - West Palm Beach Florida • “… our city was dead 10 years ago”. • In downtown… [a] street was converted from a one-way, four-lane street to two lane, two-way traffic. • Property values have risen from $10-$40 per square foot to $50-$100 per square foot. • Commercial rents have risen from $6 per square foot to $30 per square foot in downtown areas that have been traffic calmed. • Once half-occupied, commercial buildings now have no vacancies. City of West Palm Beach (1998). "Traffic Calming Reference Materials." Ian Lockwood and Timothy Stillings. October.

12. Benefit: NYS Municipalities Using Traffic Calming as Part of Economic Revitalization • Syracuse • Buffalo • Saratoga • Schenectady • Glens Falls

13. Citywide Benefits • Safer streets create sense of community – neighbors get to know each other – crime is reduced. • Fewer accidents and crime frees up fire and police resources for rest of city. • More taxes for city through increased sales and property taxes – worth the investment. • Best practice model is an asset to entire city. • Reduces pollution citywide. • Prolongs pavement life & reduces maintenance costs.

14. And More Benefits • Business increases due to greater visibility, more foot traffic, ease of parking & safer street to cross. • Easier to exit driveways (improved sight distance) • Quieter street enhances quality of life. Courtesy of Michael Ronkin, Oregon DOT.

15. Summary- Traffic Calming is Good for Everyone Drivers • Steady ride – saves gas and wear & tear. • Total travel time is less; speed limit maintained. • Safer ride, fewer accidents, lower insurance. • Left turn lane means less waiting/frustration. Pedestrians • Streets are safer to cross. • Walking more pleasant.

16. Traffic Calming is Good for Everyone Cyclists • Wider traffic lanes make riding more pleasant • Less speeding makes street safer • Great visibility for drivers make riding safer Bus Riders • Smoother traffic flow – fewer delays • Allows curbside stops outside of travel lane • Safer to cross street from/to bus

17. Madison Avenue Traffic Calming • Benefits all residents, commuters, and visitors – whether they drive, walk, cycle, or bus. • Enriches the neighborhood and a key gateway to our city. • Enhances the aesthetic and monetary value of our parks, businesses, and homes. • We need the support of the Albany Common Council and City officials to make this happen for our citizens and businesses.

18. For Further Traffic Calming Info: http://www.livablestreets.com/streetswiki/road-diet http://www.walkable.org/assets/downloads/roaddiets.pdf http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/hsis/pubs/04082/index.htm