Intuitive Intersection Design Case Study: Broadway & 96th Street

1

Intuitive Intersection Design Case Study: Broadway & 96th Street

Joshua Benson, AICP, NYC Department of Transportation

NACTO Designing Cities Conference, San Francisco, October 24, 2014

2

Hallmarks of Intuitive Design?

• Vision zero – Mayoral Initiative: Eliminate all traffic fatalities

in NYC by 2020

– 270 traffic fatalities/year average last 3 years

– NYC has committed to focused enforcement,

education, policy & street design changes

• Street Design Projects – 70 intersection & corridor projects/year, 50 VZ

– Case Study: Broadway at 96th Street

– Leveraging Geometric & Signalization

changes 3

Street Improvement Projects in NYC

Broadway at W. 96th Street Intersection Design Case Study

• 2007: Subway reconstruction begins

• 2010: Subway reconstruction completed

• 2014:

– January 10 & 19: Pedestrian fatalities

– January 30: DOT Presents proposal to

Community Board 7

– March 25: Intersection project begins

– May 20: Intersection project completed

6

Project Timeline

7

Context

• Major subway station: 3 lines, express & local service

• Heavy bus to subway transfer point

• High density housing, retail corridors, high pedestrian activity

• Regional motor vehicle traffic accessing highway interchange two

blocks away

• Multiyear capital project to overhaul subway station & reconfigure

intersection (2007-2010)

8

Vast improvement for transit rider experience in station

9

Access on surface level became more challenging

10

Delays, multiple crossings

11

Fatalities • Alexander Shear, Jan 10, 2014

• Samantha Lee, Jan 19, 2014

Injuries (2008-2012)

• Zero severe injuries

• 52 total injuries, 20 pedestrian

Recent pedestrian fatalities

12

Site Conditions

Su

bw

ay

13

Legal trip from NW corner to Subway

may have initial delay of 47 seconds

Trip may take as long

as 1 minute 45 seconds

Phase A:

15 secs

Phase B:

28 secs

Phase C:

15 secs

Phase D:

32 secs

Pedestrian must cross

south first, then east-west

Signal Timing Multiphase Signal Prioritizes Left Turn Movements

14

Observed Issues Rampant Crossing against signal

Pedestrians crossing median to median without crosswalk or

signal during perceived gaps

Not strong indicators of intuitive intersection design

15

3. New mall to

mall crosswalk

1. Two left turns

banned: SB Broadway to EB W96th and

WB W96th St to SB Broadway

2. Expanded

pedestrian space on

north mall

Proposed Plan

4. New flush

median & lane

designations for

W. 96th St

N 5. Simpler

signal

phasing…

16

Proposed Signal Phasing

Phase A:

43 secs

Legal trip from NW corner to Subway has zero initial delay

Phase B:

15 secs Phase C:

32 secs

58 seconds maximum trip time

Pedestrian has route flexibility/control

17

Pedestrian Crossing Time (Seconds) Proposed

32

43 0 43

32

47

32

58 43 43

+15

+15 +43

Increase

Existing

N

18

Before and After

19

Before and After

20

Before and After

21

Before and After

22

Before and After (W 95th St)

Web: nyc.gov/dot

Email: [email protected]

• Captures flow of actual usage

• Creates direct pedestrian routes

• Offers more choice/control for pedestrians

• Eliminates excess delay

• Emphasizes Turn restrictions

• Zero pedestrian injuries since

implementation

Thank

You

Intuitive Design at Broadway & 96th

Project Area

Project

Site

24

25

Existing Conditions

Pedestrians

cross

median to

median

when they

think there is

a gap

1. Fewer pedestrian/vehicular conflicts

2. Less confusion and more natural compliance with signals

3. Significant pedestrian and modest vehicular travel time

improvements

Anticipated Benefits

26