Queens

1
Queens
Boulevard
A New York City Success Story

Presentation toAssociation of Pedestrian and
Bicycle ProfessionalsChicago, IllinoisOctober
10, 2005 Presented 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
(No Transcript)
12
(No Transcript)
13
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

14
(No Transcript)
15
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

16

• Before

17
Making a DifferenceEarly 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

18
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

19
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 [phone] Email
adoherty_at_dot.nyc.gov Web Site www.nyc.gov/dot