Q&A
Progress on implementing Streets Plan mandates
0:55:35
ยท
5 min
Council Member Brooks-Powers inquires about DOT's progress in implementing various Streets Plan mandates, including protected bus lanes, transit signal priority, and accessible pedestrian signals. DOT officials provide updates on their progress and challenges.
- DOT is still compiling final numbers for 2024 implementations
- Approximately 750 intersections received transit signal priority in 2023
- DOT reports exceeding goals for accessible pedestrian signal installations
- Discussion of additional initiatives like outdoor dining and Open Streets programs impacting DOT's resources
Margaret Forgione
0:55:35
Okay.
0:55:36
Let me start by saying that, you know, at any point throughout the year, with any communities, with yourself in any communities, if people are interested in an update on what, you know, we're thinking of in that community and we would like their feedback of what is being planned, we are always ready to do that.
0:55:53
So, you know, I know commissioner Rodriguez was not trying to imply, like, we shut the door and we we only talk about this once a year.
0:56:01
The the current February time frame for the report works well because that is the off season of our construction season, so our planners can really focus on developing, these numbers and making sure that they're correct.
0:56:14
So that's what we're doing right now, chair.
0:56:16
We're putting together all of those numbers, and as you know, next month, we will be providing those.
0:56:23
So we don't currently have those numbers for you.
0:56:25
I don't want to give you any numbers today that are gonna be read you know, readjusted.
0:56:30
We have, so many projects out there, and sometimes they're in final states of being completed.
0:56:37
So as I mentioned, we're we're tabulating that right now, and we'll have that information for you next month.
Selvena Brooks-Powers
0:56:45
Well, I will just say this is case in point.
0:56:47
When we try to get information, we're unable to get it at any other point, which indicates why we need this bill.
0:56:56
And in in how many intersections did DOT implement transit signal priority out of the 1,000 mandated by the streets plan?
Margaret Forgione
0:57:06
Okay.
0:57:07
Okay.
0:57:07
I'm gonna turn to the MMR where I know I think we have that there, but if any of my colleagues find it first.
0:57:14
Oh, go ahead, Eric.
Eric Beaton
0:57:17
Yes.
0:57:17
So, last year, or in the in 2023, we did about 750 intersections.
0:57:24
We're we're still getting the final number for 2024 as as commissioner Ford Gionne said, but we expect it to be in that in that same range.
Selvena Brooks-Powers
0:57:42
Thank you.
0:57:44
How many accessible pedestrian signals were installed out of the mandated 500?
Margaret Forgione
0:58:01
So we will have the number for you, but I can tell you you know, we'll have the number for for you in the next several weeks, and I will tell you that we're probably exceeding the goal.
0:58:11
We've been doing very well on accessible pedestrian signals, and last year in, 23, we completed 866, which, well exceeded our goal.
0:58:24
And the way we have an agreement, with the court, we're also allowed to bank the additional, accessible pedestrian signals that we have completed.
0:58:33
So we're looking very good in this area.
Selvena Brooks-Powers
0:58:40
Thank you for that.
0:58:43
So it's no secret that DOT has consistently failed to meet the requirements of the streets plan and has fallen further and further behind the aggregate 5 year target.
0:58:56
Is DOT treating this with the urgency that it demands?
Margaret Forgione
0:59:01
Yes, chair.
0:59:02
We are working extremely hard in this area.
0:59:05
We have, constant dialogue with, you know, you, your colleagues, the community boards, the public in order to identify, and get their input on projects.
0:59:15
We're also, as you know, a very data driven agency, and we're constantly looking at where we would like to do projects and, where we should focus our resources.
0:59:24
One thing I do wanna mention, and then commissioner Beaton can elaborate a little bit on this.
0:59:29
One thing the streets plan does not take into account is a lot of recent initiatives, fairly recent initiatives that have taken our time and attention and produced amazing results for the city of New York.
0:59:40
One of those is the dining out program.
0:59:43
We're now in the middle you know, we we stepped that up during COVID, and now we're in the middle of implementing the permanent program.
Selvena Brooks-Powers
0:59:49
To be clear, that was a program that DOT supported and fought very tirelessly to have that within its agency.
0:59:57
And when there was hesitation of it being within DOT and instead going to DWCP, DOT affirmed that they had the capacity and bandwidth knowing that they have to meet the goals of The Streets plan to be able to fulfill that requirement with that program.
Margaret Forgione
1:00:14
So we have received and you're right.
1:00:17
We love the dining out program.
1:00:19
We're we believe we're doing a very good job with that program, and we also did get additional resources to help us continue and and step up that program.
1:00:29
I'm pointing out also that, yes, you're right, that it's 2 separate things.
1:00:33
There are other programs that sort of are all part of similar buckets.
1:00:38
For example, our Open Streets program, which is very well loved in many communities.
Selvena Brooks-Powers
1:00:42
Also, a DOT requested Brings a lot.
1:00:44
Program.
Margaret Forgione
1:00:45
Right.
1:00:45
But these are also still new initiatives that are really contributing to how we use our public space and how, the lives of New Yorkers can be made better for them.
1:00:55
So I'm just pointing out that these are additional programs that are happening now.