TESTIMONY
Margaret Forgione, First Deputy Commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation, on Intro 144 and the installation of bollards at sidewalks, curb extensions, and pedestrian ramps
0:36:48
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100 sec
Forgione explains the city's stance on a bill that would require installing bollards at reconstruction sites for sidewalks, curb extensions, and pedestrian ramps, and studying their efficacy in high pedestrian traffic areas.
- The city previously installed over 800 security-related bollards at locations chosen by security experts.
- Installing bollards can be complicated and expensive, potentially costing $1 million per location.
- It may involve moving underground infrastructure like water, sewer, power lines, and accommodating subways and building vaults.
- Bollards can also interfere with pedestrian ramps and block curb access for loading/unloading.
- While the city understands the intent, crashes on sidewalks cause a small percentage of pedestrian fatalities and are hard to predict.
- The city has concerns tying critical accessibility work to one specific, costly treatment.
Margaret Forgione
0:36:48
Next, intro 144, sponsored by Cherbrook's Powers.
0:36:52
This bill would require Dieto tea to install ballards as sidewalks, curb extensions, and pedestrian ramps being reconstructed to make them accessible.
0:37:01
And to study the efficacy of Ballard's in high pedestrian traffic areas throughout the city.
0:37:06
Ballard's are an important tool in the city's toolbox.
0:37:09
In partnership with NYPD, DOT previously installed over 800 security related ballards at locations chosen by SecurityX Burts, including in Times Square, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and Saint Patrick's Cathedral.
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These locations were chosen after careful analysis by security experts, which is critical because installing security ballards is often complicated and expensive.
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Potentially costing 1, 000, 000 of dollars at each location.
0:37:38
It may involve moving or accommodating underground infrastructure, water sewer, power, and telecommunications, subway tunnels, and building vaults.
0:37:47
It can also interfere with pedestrian ramps and block curve access for loading and unloading of goods and passengers.
0:37:54
DOT understands and supports the intent of wanting to use additional tools to keep pedestrians safe.
0:37:59
However, crashes that take place on sidewalks are horrific and shocking, but are responsible for a very small percentage of pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries.
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They're also hard to predict.
0:38:11
Given this and that DOT already considers this tool where appropriate, we do not think a larger study is necessary nor valuable at this time.
0:38:19
Moreover, we have concerns with this bill is drafted because it would tie critical safety and accessibility work to 1 specific treatment that is costly and complicated to install.
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Margaret Forgione, First Deputy Commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation, on Intro 104 and DOT's consultation with FDNY for open streets, bike lanes, and major transportation projects
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Margaret Forgione, First Deputy Commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation, on Intro 301 and the efficacy of solar-powered traffic control devices at crosswalks