ped-safety-action-plan-queens

Most
pedestrian and
cyclist fatalities
and severe
injuries occur
in the same
areas of NYC
Pedestrian focus improves safety for all users
Street design based around pedestrian safety is also proven to make travel
safer for other street users, including bicyclists and motor vehicle occupants.
Slower vehicle speeds, less chaotic, better organized traffic, and narrower
vehicle lanes make streets safer (and easier to use) for cyclists. A pedestrian
oriented project on Delancey Street in Manhattan contributed to a 20%
reduction in injuries to cyclists. Similarly, projects and programs aimed
at improving safety for pedestrians often improve motor vehicle safety as
well. The pedestrian focused re-design of the Madison Square/Flatiron area
contributed to a 46% reduction in injuries among motor vehicle occupants.
The areas of New York City that accounted for 71% of pedestrians killed
or severely injured (KSI) also accounted for 66% of cyclist KSI. Safety
interventions at these locations can address safety concerns for both groups
of street users.
A comprehensive strategy addressing all modes
Since 2007,
fatalities of
vulnerable road
users increased
by 1%, while
fatalities of
motor vehicle
occupants fell
by 37%
New York City will need to go beyond the actions in this plan to address
all traffic fatalities, particularly for vulnerable road users: the pedestrians,
bicyclists, and motorcyclists that use the streets without the protection of
a closed vehicle. These vulnerable road users account for the vast majority
(78%) of New York City’s traffic fatalities. Again, comparing 2005-2007 to
2011-2013, vulnerable road user fatalities increased by 1%, while fatalities
of motor vehicles occupants fell by 37%. In other words, the entire decline in
traffic fatalities between 2007 and 2013 came from reductions in fatalities of
drivers and passengers inside motor vehicles. Furthermore, there is significant
overlap between the high-crash locations for pedestrian and cyclists.
For bicyclists, DOT will work with the New York City Department of Health
and NYPD in 2015 to develop a comprehensive update to its 2006 Bicyclist
Fatality and Serious Injuries study, highlighting current issues in cyclist safety
in New York City and developing new recommendations. DOT is aggressively
seeking to increase the amount of cycling in the city by expanding the bike
network where it can generate the most ridership and expanding its Citi Bike
bike sharing program. More cyclists using city streets has been shown to have
a “safety in numbers” effect; while cycling in New York City has approximately
quadrupled since 2000, serious injuries have remained low, representing a
75% decrease in the average risk of a serious injury. Also, DOT will release
their first motorcyclist safety study in 2015, which will analyze New York City
motorcycle crashes and will also put forward a safety action plan. Finally, New
Yorkers with disabilities are also pedestrians. As DOT designs safer streets for
all vulnerable users, the agency will continue to work with advocacy groups
and members of the disabled community to ensure that the City continues
to address the needs of New Yorkers with disabilities. A safer city is a more
accessible City.
Queens Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
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