Brooklyn Bridge Park Transportation Study, 3/2008

SAm SChwARTz PLLC hDR-DANIEL FRANkFURT
III. Pedestrian Access
Visitors to the Park will arrive using every mode of transportation, but all will eventually
experience the Park from the pedestrian point of view. Major pedestrian access points,
or gateways to the Park, are examined in this section for their potential to provide safe
and convenient pedestrian access to the Park. Two major gateways to the Park include
the Old Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue entrances because of their proximity to
transit and nearby attractions and because Park access points between these locations
are limited. In addition, the Park’s design includes designated gateways at these two
locations.
The pedestrian corridor along Old Fulton Street provides access to the north-central
gateway to the Park and is within a 10- to 15-minute walk from the Brooklyn Bridge;
the Promenade; the York Street (F), High Street (A,C), and Clark Street (2,3) subway
stations, as well as the neighborhoods of DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights (shown in
Figure III-1). The pedestrian corridor along Atlantic Avenue provides access to the
southern-most gateway to the Park and is within a 10- to 15-minute walk from the
Promenade, the Borough Hall (2,3,4,5) and Court Street (M,R) subway stations, as well
as the neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, and Cobble Hill (also
shown in Figure III-1).
Both Old Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue are expected to be well-traveled pedestrian
routes to the Park and should be as clear, safe, and as well-defined as possible for a
wide range of Park visitors. In the existing condition, both the Old Fulton Street and
the Atlantic Avenue pedestrian corridors have numerous pedestrian-vehicle conflict
points, many of which can be eliminated or made safer, as described in the following
sections.
The planned reconstruction of the cantilevered segment of the Brooklyn-Queens
Expressway (BQE) presents a unique opportunity to reconfigure the approaches to the
highway to significantly improve the pedestrian experience. In general, to improve
the pedestrian environment, conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles should be
eliminated wherever possible. Where pedestrian-vehicle conflicts cannot be avoided
(for example, turning vehicles conflicting with pedestrians crossing at intersections),
crossings should be made as safe and clear as possible by shortening crossing lengths
to minimize pedestrian time in the roadway. Reclaiming excessive vehicle space for
pedestrians (for instance, narrowing roadways and/or widening sidewalks) can promote
slower vehicle travel speeds and provide more pedestrian comfort. In addition, any
irregularly shaped intersections or crossings that may confuse pedestrians regarding
the directions vehicles will be approaching (for example, more than four approaches
to an intersection) or that may promote higher vehicle speeds at pedestrian crossings
(for example, channelized right turn lanes) should be normalized wherever possible.
In other words, street geometries should be reconfigured to normal, right-angled,
four-approach intersections to promote pedestrian safety and driver awareness. The
principles described above were applied when suggesting improvements to Old Fulton
Street and Atlantic Avenue near the Park.
BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESS STUDY 1
Community Comments
Pedestrian access improvements were addressed at the community meetings held on
October 4, 2006, and March 20, 2007, and the community charrette held on December
5, 2006. Comments and suggestions raised by the community at these events were
generally consistent with the general pedestrian improvements described above. For
example, it was suggested that the pedestrian experience be improved along Old
Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue by minimizing the number, length, and complexity
of crossings. It was suggested that a particular focus be given to pedestrian crossings at
the BQE on/off ramps because of the high vehicle volumes and speeds near Old Fulton
Street and Atlantic Avenue and the danger presented to pedestrians. In addition, the
community suggested improvements such as widening sidewalks and adding street
trees, parking, center medians, curb extensions, and other traffic calming measures to
slow vehicles and claim additional pedestrian space.
Other specific recommendations made by the community were as follows:
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Improve pedestrian access along the north side of Old Fulton Street to
Cadman Plaza, including additional crossings between Hicks Street and
Prospect Street
Improve pedestrian access from the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian entrance/
exit to Old Fulton Street
Extend Park-related improvements east of the BQE at Atlantic Avenue to
create a true Park gateway
Consider a roundabout or other improvements at the terminus of Atlantic Avenue
so that it feels like a Park entrance, not the end of a street
Old Fulton Street Pedestrian Corridor
Existing Conflicts and Safety Issues
Existing vehicle-pedestrian conflict points along Old Fulton Street are highlighted in red
in Figure III-2. Pedestrians on the northern side of Old Fulton Street heading westward
(toward the Park) encounter several dangerous conflicts with vehicles, particularly
those coming off the BQE. There are four consecutive conflict points within a short
distance at the BQE exit ramp and Front Street. These four pedestrian crossings, also
shown in Figure III-3, are meandering as a result of the channelized turn lanes, and have
poor visibility for both pedestrians and vehicles.