Press Releases

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2023
Contact: (212) 839-4850, press@dot.nyc.gov

Vision Zero: DOT Releases Update to Borough Pedestrian Safety Action Plans, With Targeted Analysis of Priority Corridors and Intersections

Since the 2019 study period, pedestrian fatalities dropped sharply on Vision Zero Priority Corridors: the Bronx has seen a 40% decline in pedestrian fatalities; Brooklyn, 38%; Manhattan, 45%; Queens, 25%; and Staten Island, 38%

Data-driven analysis adds 349 Priority Corridors and Intersections going forward; DOT ranked and choose corridors based on fatalities and severe injuries (KSI) per mile, and prioritized the intersections with the highest number of KSI

NEW YORK — NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the release of the updated Vision Zero Borough Pedestrian Action Plans, a detailed report with data on safety progress made at intersections, corridors and areas first identified in 2019's version of the report. Covering the past four years since the last update, the report highlights significant safety improvements and results as NYC's pedestrian fatalities declined. Each borough saw dramatic decreases in pedestrian fatalities since the 2019 study period, with a 40% decline in the Bronx, 38% in Brooklyn, 45% in Manhattan, 25% in Queens and 38% on Staten Island. The update also identifies 349 new Vision Zero Priority Corridors and Intersections in all five boroughs.

The update shows significant safety improvements were made at previously identified locations as NYC's overall citywide pedestrian fatalities declined by 10% between 2014-2021, bucking national trends in which pedestrian fatalities have risen in the same period by over 50% -- to a four-decade high. Under the Administration of Mayor Eric Adams, DOT exceeded its commitment to bring safety improvements to 1,400 intersections in 2022, when pedestrian fatalities declined 4.8% and overall traffic fatalities declined for the first time in three years.

"Our streets are getting safer for pedestrians across the entire city, with pedestrian deaths dropping last year for the first time in three years — even as the rest of the country moves in the wrong direction," said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. "But our work is far from done, and with these pedestrian safety action plans, we have identified the key locations we will target to continue improving safety for everyone on our streets. Our administration is following the data and prioritizing equity as we continue to deliver safer streets for all New Yorkers."

"Under Vision Zero, we are constantly taking a fresh look at Priority Locations so we can dedicate the necessary resources to the communities, corridors and intersections where fatalities and serious injuries occur," said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "As we complete that work and follow the data, our list of priority locations changes. Last year, under Mayor Eric Adams, we exceeded our commitments for addressing intersections -- and with his leadership and dedication to Vision Zero, we will work every single day to keep pedestrian fatalities on the decline."

Borough Pedestrian Action Plans: With the agency looking forward to building upon its 2022 output in 2023, the updated report issued today highlights the life-saving improvements DOT made during the first nine years of Vision Zero (2014-2022):

  • Nearly 800 Safety Engineering Projects completed
  • Over 5,500 Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) installed
  • Over 20 million automated speed camera violations issued
  • Nearly 900 Vision Zero Priority locations visited by Vision Zero Street Teams
  • Over 3,600 school and senior center visits for safety education in Priority Locations

DOT continues to focus its resources on Vision Zero Priority Locations (which include corridors, intersections and overall areas) where pedestrian KSI (killed or severely injured) crashes are concentrated. Pedestrian fatalities in NYC decreased at an even higher rate at Vision Zero Priority Locations with 2022 figures showing a 23% decline from the 2014-2017 early Vision Zero period and being very similar to the 2019-2021 period. For Priority Corridors specifically, the number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured declined 28% between 2012-2016 and 2017-2021.

When looking at the 2019 locations between the two observed periods, DOT found that fatalities dropped sharply at the Vision Zero Priority Corridors, a promising sign given the safety efforts focused at these locations. Compared with the 2019 report study period, the Vision Zero Priority Corridors in the Bronx experienced a 40% decline in pedestrians killed, as well as declines in the other boroughs; Brooklyn, 38%, Manhattan, 45%, Queens, 25% and Staten Island, 38%.

The report highlighted several case studies in each of the boroughs where a location was identified for Vision Zero safety treatments based on KSI numbers and was subsequently improved:

  • Bronx: White Plains Road from East 243rd Street to Sunset Boulevard was a 2019 Priority Corridor with six pedestrian fatalities overall, and 7 pedestrians killed or severely injured per mile from 2012-2016. Pedestrian KSI figures dropped 25% in 2017-21. DOT is completing a project on the corridor from Burke Avenue to East 241st Street adding pedestrian crossings, refuge islands, bus boarding islands, protected bike lanes and turn bans.
  • Brooklyn: Linden Boulevard from Sapphire Street to Flatbush Avenue saw 6 pedestrian fatalities overall and 7.4 pedestrians killed or severely injured per mile from 2012-2016. KSI figures dropped 33% in 2017-2121 with 5 pedestrian fatalities and 5 pedestrians killed or severely injured per mile. DOT added concrete median tip extensions and marking upgrades along the corridor from Ashford Street to Schenck Avenue in 2020.
  • Manhattan: 8th Avenue from Hudson Street to Columbus Circle had 2 pedestrian fatalities and 20.9 pedestrians killed or severely injured per mile from 2012-2016. Pedestrian KSI dropped 38% overall in the 2017-2021 period. DOT greatly improved the corridor from West 31st Street to West 51st Street between 2019-2022 with its project featuring painted sidewalk widening and curb extensions, a protected bike lane, turn bans, signal timing changes and turn bays.
  • Queens: Queens Boulevard from Queens Plaza to Jamaica Avenue, also a 2019 Priority Corridor, had 10 pedestrian fatalities and 6.4 pedestrians killed or severely injured per mile from 2012-2016. The KSI figure declined 36% in 2017-2021 with 4 pedestrians killed and 4.1 pedestrians killed or severely injured. DOT made significant upgrades to the corridor in 2021, with a protected bike lane, painted pedestrian path, new pedestrian crossings and new traffic controls, along with traffic lane removal.
  • Staten Island: Hylan Boulevard from Satterlee Street to Narrows Road South, a 2019 Priority Corridor, had 7 pedestrian fatalities and 2.8 pedestrians killed or severely injured per mile from 2012-2016. KSI numbers dropped 28% in the 2017-2021 period, with 4 pedestrian fatalities and 2.0 pedestrians killed or severely injured. DOT addressed Hylan Boulevard from Satterlee Street to Page Ave in 2022 with a road diet, implementing conventional bike lanes and left turn bays.

In 2022 DOT made significant gains on the traffic safety front, implemented through safety upgrades, mobility improvements and public safety enhancement. This year the Agency will continue this great work and look to address the newest intersections, corridors and areas added to the action plans.

NYC Streets Plan Update: DOT today also released its annual update to the NYC Streets Plan, the agency's guiding vision for planning and designing the city's streets. Passed by the City Council in 2019, Local Law 195 directs DOT to issue and implement a transportation plan every five years, with updates on progress annually. The Adams Administration remains committed to the goals of the NYC Streets Plan and in 2022, DOT met several Streets Plan benchmarks with record-setting numbers while also running new and widely beloved citywide programs developed since the inception of the Streets Plan benchmarks: Open Restaurants and Open Streets. This includes the continued reimagination of DOT's Streets with the addition of two miles to Summer Streets in 2022, the expansion of the Open Streets program and the introduction of a Holiday Season-specific to Fifth Avenue from 48th to 57th Street. In addition, the Agency expanded its e-scooter pilot in the East Bronx and announced intention to pursue permanent e-mobility programs throughout the city, and the agency continues its planned expansion of Citi Bike further into the outer boroughs, including additional stations in Brooklyn in 2022.

Some highlights of DOT's recent work from the Streets Plan Update benchmarks and beyond include:

  • Transit Signal Priority implemented at a record 781 intersections to reduce the time buses spend stuck at red lights
  • Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) installed at a record 494 intersections citywide as the agency ramps up efforts each year
  • Annual APS installations are expected to exceed benchmarks during the span of the Streets Plan implementation
  • Agency is 42% of its way towards reaching the 1,000,000 square foot benchmark for new pedestrian space by the end of 2023.
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