TESTIMONY
Margaret Forgione, First Deputy Commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation on Intro 79 Requiring Study and Installation of Pedestrian Lighting on Commercial Corridors
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179 sec
Forgione explains DOT's position on Intro 79, which would require studying lighting levels and installing pedestrian lighting on 500 commercial corridors per year.
- DOT recognizes the importance of street lighting for safety, accessibility, and security
- DOT already evaluates and enhances lighting levels across the city using standards and guidelines
- In 2023, DOT enhanced lighting at over 480 locations across the five boroughs
- DOT has concerns with the bill's extremely high sidewalk lighting standard and mandated installation pace
- Installing new poles requires extensive work to avoid obstructions and underground infrastructure
Margaret Forgione
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Turning to the legislation before the council today.
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1st, intro 79 sponsored by council member wrestler.
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This bill would require DOT to study lighting levels and install pedestrian lighting fixtures at 500 commercial corridors each year, until every commercial corridor has sufficient lighting as defined in the bill.
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DOT recognizes the importance of street lighting and enhancing both street safety and accessibility, as well as the feeling of security, and we are committed to ensuring streets are well lit for vehicle traffic as well as pedestrians in both roadway and on the sidewalk.
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In many cases, DOT street lights provide sufficient lighting for both roadways and sidewalks.
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And separate lighting for each is not necessary.
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But DOT evaluates street lighting levels throughout the city on a regular basis.
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In locations that need more light on sidewalks, we often install additional lights in the back of existing poles over the sidewalk at a lower height or even new standalone poles.
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We are also continuously enhancing lighting levels and intersections.
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Since the start of Vision 0, we have installed 3000 additional lights to illuminate sidewalk corners and crosswalks at over 22100 intersections across the city.
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Enhancing lighting to improve the pedestrian experience is a core part of the agency's work.
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We conduct lighting studies based on DOT standards, including recommended practices and guidelines published by the Illuminating Engineers Society, the internationally recognized entity that sets recommended practices for lighting levels in various applications.
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If a study finds that lighting is needed in the location, DOT will install it which requires extensive coordination with contractors and utilities.
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To install it, we often reduce the distance in between street lights or add secondary lighting to street light poles.
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We routinely make these types of upgrades in any street reconstruction project in addition to locations where we receive lighting requests from the public.
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In 2023 alone, we enhanced lighting at over 150 locations in Brooklyn, over 130 locations in both Staten Island and Queens, and over 100 locations in both Manhattan and the Bronx.
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DOT has concerns about this bill as written.
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The bill proposes an extremely high and uncomfortable side sidewalk lighting standard that would be too bright even for an expressway.
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The bill also mandates a significant number of lighting installations without considering the challenges to installing new lighting.
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Installing new light poles requires working around obstructions caused by trees and hydrants and existing below ground infrastructure such as gas mains and electric docks.
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Which requires extensive survey and design work.
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Installation also often require time consuming and disruptive street excavations to lay new electrical conduit and cables.
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We would be happy to discuss with the council how we can enhance lighting in your districts, and welcome feedback if there are particular locations of concern.
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Margaret Forgione, First Deputy Commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation, Opens Her Testimony on New York City's Work to Enhance Intersections, Sidewalks, and Pedestrian Safety
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Margaret Forgione, First Deputy Commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation on Intro 95 and the feasibility of installing raised crosswalks, raised intersections, and speed reducers near schools