Won asks DOT for decision tree and curb extension acceleration
Won asks DOT to provide a process map or decision tree for choosing intersection treatments and asks how the plan will speed up concrete curb extensions. Flynn says curb extensions are valuable but challenging due to drainage and catch basin relocations, and more details will come in the streets plan.
So could DOT provide us with a process map or a decision tree on how you determine what is better and what should be treated per intersection?
For this new Vision Zero plan?
I'm happy to talk to the team.
Okay, great.
Concrete curb extensions are one of the most effective tools to reduce pedestrian crashes, slowing turns, daylighting corners, and shortening crossing distances.
They're extremely common in most cities, yet in New York City, installation has been extremely slow.
How does the Vision Zero Reimagine plan intend to speed up these vital concrete curb extensions?
That's a great question.
Thank you, Councilmember.
We love curb extensions as well because they really do deliver multiple benefits from safety to public space, potentially for greening and trees.
And you're right that they're more challenging, right?
When we talk about our quick build toolkit, it often doesn't include that.
And that's because by the nature of being at the curb, they affect drainage along the gutter and often the catch basins would need to be relocated.
So something that I've talked about, and I think we'll have more to say about it in the forthcoming streets plan, is that we want to be able to do more, both quantity and quality.
And part of that is how do we do more permanent type infrastructure with our in-house resources?
And that's something we're examining closely.
We're having great conversations with DEP.
And it's, yeah, that's an area of focus for us.