Sarah Lind, Open Plans, testifies in support of low-traffic neighborhoods
Sarah Lind, co-executive director of Open Plans, supports Intro 1070 to create low-traffic neighborhood pilots. She says LTNs use low-cost design like diverters and modal filters, preserve access, and reduce cut-through traffic; London evidence shows lower traffic, fatalities, pollution, crime, and more active transportation with no emergency response impact.
Good afternoon, dear.
I think you came to my house, my office house event.
Yes.
Nice to see you again.
Sarah?
Hi, yeah, my name is Sarah Lind.
I'm co-executive director of Open Plans, an organization advocating for a more livable city.
Making our streets more safe and livable for every New Yorker should be our guiding star.
Intro 1070, which would create low-traffic neighborhood pilots, or LTNs, would represent a significant step towards that goal.
LTNs use smart street design and
and low-cost interventions, things like diagonal diverters, modal filters, or one-way streets that oppose each other, to correct a concerning trend.
Every neighborhood street has become a cut-through to a final destination, no matter how small or residential that street might be.
LTNs do not forbid car use, nor do they require removing parking.
In an LTN, residents retain access to their homes by way of vehicles.
Similarly, LTNs preserve access for deliveries, sanitation, emergency vehicles, and other critical city services.
LTNs incentivize drivers who are not stopping in a neighborhood to use boundary roads, the roads around the LTN, to get to their destination rather than cutting through a quiet residential corridor.
Critically, evidence shows that boundary roads do not experience an increase in traffic as overall driving trends downward.
Evidence in London has shown that LTNs have so many benefits.
Significantly lowered traffic volumes, up to 50% fewer traffic fatalities, lower air pollution, lower crime rates, more active transportation use, and more local businesses, all with no impact on emergency response time.
Five community boards have already passed resolutions requesting an LTN in their neighborhood.
We can feel the excitement neighbors have for LTNs, and we're delighted that the council has the opportunity to deliver on this.
We've provided more data and details about why LTNs are right for New York City in our written testimony.
We look forward to continuing to work with the council on making our streets more livable for all users, and we support the other bills mentioned by Streets Path.
and transportation alternatives as well, and look forward to moving towards Vision Zero.
Well, the fact that we're hearing LTNs today is a true testament to the work that you're doing.
I first discovered LTNs through your report, and I immediately put it in for legislative request very, very quickly, and I'm glad that we're finally moving on it.
Next.