Safety Programs

Safety Engineering

DOT's School Safety Engineering program maintains a database of over 1,400 program schools citywide. The program includes public and private, elementary and middle schools with 250 or more students. Around each program school DOT installs and maintains safety engineering treatments that increase visibility and promote safety at intersections where students cross to and from school. In addition, DOT has created Traffic Safety Maps for over 1,400 programs schools to help students plan their safest routes to school.

All school intersections have...

Calming Traffic

In addition to the standard safety treatments shown above DOT may install devices to help lower the speed of motor vehicles around schools. One of the most common treatment is a speed reducer. Commonly called speed humps or speed bumps, a speed reducer is raised portion of the roadway accompanied by warning signage that is intended to help slow vehicle speeds.

In some cases, speed reducers aren't feasible due to the configuration of the road. DOT is piloting reduced speed zones around schools. Reduced speed zones include 20mph reduced speed limit signs accompanied by flashing beacons that operate during school hours.

Traffic Safety Maps

In addition to these physical improvements, the DOT also prepares Traffic Safety Maps for schools serving elementary and intermediate school students having an enrollment of 250 students or more. The maps show the roadway network, signals, and school crosswalks surrounding over 1,400 schools. The maps can be used by teachers, parents, and students to plan a safe route to walk to school.

Safety Programs

Learn more about these related, ongoing, citywide programs to improve safety throughout the five boroughs
Safe Routes to Schools
Safe Streets for Seniors
Bicycle Program