Streetsblog NYC analyses one of the street design standards in place in New York City that will make it impossible to achieve zero pedestrian fatalities under Vision Zero.
Brad Aaron provides detailed analysis of one particular design standard that negatively impacts the safety of pedestrians in crosswalks around New York City. The risk comes from street designs that allow drivers to park "right at the edge of this crosswalk, blocking sight lines for pedestrians as well as drivers turning right…"
According to Aaron, "[parking] right up against the crosswalk is dangerous enough that some states and cities, including New Jersey and Portland, forbid it. Drivers hurt and kill thousands of people in New York City crosswalks every year, and most victims are crossing with the signal. Poor visibility at intersections contributes to the problem, but NYC law makes it perfectly legal to obstruct sight lines with parked cars."
Aaron goes on to suggest a solution that would allow the daylighting of intersections around the city, citing the example of the flex-post protected corners implemented by Hoboken, New Jersey.
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UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
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