This document discusses a proposed safety and bicycle project for 9th Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The project aims to make 9th Street safer and more comfortable for all users by converting it from a 4-lane road to a 3-lane road with a center turn lane and bicycle lanes. This is expected to improve safety by reducing speeds, simplifying traffic flow, and separating bicyclists from vehicles. It will also connect the bicycle network to nearby greenways and neighborhoods. If approved, the changes could be quickly implemented by July 2007 through an operational redesign of the existing 3-lane configuration. The goal is a safer street environment for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers.

1. 9th Street Safety & Bicycle Project
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Division of Street Management & Safety
Traffic Operations Bureau
Presentation to CB 6, Brooklyn
March, 2007

2. DOT 3-Year Bicycle Network
Expansion Plan
• 200 mile expansion of on-street network
• Targeted to:
– Increase connectivity
– Areas with high demand
– Citywide backbone of routes

3. 9th Street: Bicycle Network Link

4. Corridor Crashes
2004-2006 Crashes
Injured: 3rd Ave 4th Ave 5th Ave 6th Ave 7th Ave 8th Ave PPW
Pedestrian 6 14% 9 12% 14 21% 5 14% 3 16% 7 23% 1 17%
Bicyclist 3 7% 2 3% 3 5% 3 8% 1 5% 1 3% 0 0%
Passenger 6 14% 13 18% 3 5% 8 22% 3 16% 10 33% 0 0%
No Injury 29 67% 50 68% 46 70% 20 56% 12 63% 12 40% 5 83%
Total Crashes 43 74 66 36 19 30 6

5. Primary 9th Street Issues
1. Uncomfortable Cycling Route
2. Pedestrian Safety Concerns
3. High Speeds
4. Interrupted Thru Movements
5. Challenging Left Turns
Project Goal: A Safer and More Comfortable 9th
Street Corridor for ALL Street Users

6. Proposal Summary
• 4 Lane to 3 Lane “Road Diet”
– Left Turn Bays
– Bike Lanes
Carries existing 3 lane configuration at 4th Ave to Prospect Park
•
• Fast Implementation: July 2007
Existing
Proposed

7. Issue 1: Uncomfortable Cycling
Environment
• Cyclist squeezes b/w • Cyclist separated from
moving lane and parked travel lanes
cars, or
• “Takes” moving lane
CENTER
CENTER
SIDEWALK
SIDEWALK
9’ 10’ 10’ 8’ 5’ 11’ Flush
Parking Moving Moving Parking Bike Lane w/ Moving Median
Lane Lane Lane Lane 3’ buffer Lane (4’ / 2)
Proposed Condition
Existing Condition Proposed Condition
Existing Condition

8. Issue 2: Pedestrian Safety Concerns
• 3rd & 9th Fatality
• Dizzy’s Crash (8th Ave)
• CB 6 Complaints

9. Issue 2: Pedestrian Safety Concerns
• Lane Assignments, Speed
Reduction & Simplified Operations
• Potential Refuge Islands at
Crossings with One Way Avenues

10. Issue 3: Speeds
• Excess Capacity
– Atlantic Ave (at Clinton): 26,000 vehicles per day (vpd)
– Vanderbilt Ave (at Atlantic): 19,000 vpd
– 9th St (at 6th Ave): 11,500 vpd
• Thru Lane Removal
– 1 Lane: lead vehicle sets pace
– Successful “4 to 3” reductions:
• Vanderbilt Ave
• Gerritsen Ave

11. Issue 4: Interrupted Thru Movement
Existing Condition
Existing Condition
Double-parked auto
Double-parked auto Autos moving thru
Autos moving thru
or bicyclist
or bicyclist
Left-turning vehicle
Left-turning vehicle
Right lane vehicles
Right lane vehicles
waiting for gap
waiting for gap
change lanes twice
change lanes twice

12. Issue 4: Interrupted Thru Movement
Proposed Condition
Proposed Condition
Bicyclist Double-parked auto
Bicyclist Double-parked auto
Left-turning vehicle No lane changes
Left-turning vehicle No lane changes
waiting for gap
waiting for gap

13. Issue 5: Challenging Left Turns
Left Turning Motorist Have
Existing Condition
Existing Condition
4 Concerns
1) Vehicles Approaching
1) Vehicles Approaching
from Behind
from Behind
2) Identifying Gap in Left Lane
2) Identifying Gap in Left Lane
3) ID’ing Gap in Right
3) ID’ing Gap in Right
Lane
Lane
4) ID’ing Pedestrians in
4) ID’ing Pedestrians in
(VISIBILITY HINDERED)
(VISIBILITY HINDERED)
Crosswalk
Crosswalk

14. Issue 5: Challenging Left Turns
Only 2 Points of Focus and
No Visibility Problem
Proposed Condition
Proposed Condition
Vehicles from behind in
Vehicles from behind in
different lane
different lane
Driver only needs ONE gap to
Driver only needs ONE gap to
turn; can then look at crosswalk
turn; can then look at crosswalk

15. Bicycle Network Benefits

16. Implemented with Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway
Connection to Columbia Street Promenade
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17. • July 2007 – Center of Brooklyn Connected to
Prospect Park and Red Hook Waterfront on a
Continuous Bike Route

18. Summary
Project Goal: A Safer and More Comfortable 9th
Street Corridor for ALL Street Users
• Cyclists –
– Dramatically improved experience
– Connections to major attractors
• Pedestrians –
– More Comfortable and Safe with Potential for Capital
Improvements
• Motorists –
– Simplified and Safer Operations
– Center median reduces head on crash risk
• New Street in July
– “Operational” Design Allows for Rapid Implementation

19. End of Presentation