Downtown Brooklyn Surface Transit Circulation Study
Overview
Downtown Brooklyn's roadways are congested and likely to become more so given development slated for the area. The neighborhood has a dense transit network, but bus circulation is threatened by roadway congestion. Careful planning is needed to ensure that surface transit continues to improve accessibility, congestion and economic development.
The Downtown Brooklyn Surface Transit Circulation Study (DBSTCS) evaluated existing surface transit routes in Downtown Brooklyn and the potential for new or modified services. A set of guiding principles were established for the DBSTCS through a series of internal scoping meetings with the project's steering committee, based on the committee's knowledge of the study area and issues related to surface transit within the study area. These principles were used to refine the project's scope of work and are linked to the project's goals and objectives.
The study:
- identified existing and potential unmet surface transit needs using data collection, survey and focus groups
- developed short term surface transit circulation improvements that do not involve intensive capital expenditures and that can be implemented upon completion of the study
- explored the need for new circulator routes that complement and expand upon existing bus network
- determined ways to improve circulation, attractiveness and utility of key transit layover points, heavily used bus corridors, interconnecting points with other modes and new development nodes
- improved connectivity between buses and other transportation modes
- worked to develop consensus with stakeholders on appropriate short-term and long-term solutions for surface transit in Downtown Brooklyn.
Goals and Objectives
Goal: Maximize effectiveness of Downtown Brooklyn's surface transit network to move people.
Objectives:
- Reduce travel times and improve schedule reliability for customers using buses.
- Improve connections between buses and intermodal connections between buses and other modes.
- Make bus service more comfortable and user-friendly.
Goal: Provide transit connectivity throughout Downtown Brooklyn.
Objective: Increase transit connectivity to all significant trip generators.
Goal: Support the economic health of Downtown Brooklyn
Objective: Increase economic attractiveness of commercial- and tourism-based land uses.
Project Documents
Final Report
In keeping with the study’s stated goals of improving transit reliability, service coverage, and the overall passenger experience, this final report recommends several short- and long-term solutions. In the near future, bus-only lanes and a wider rollout of off-board fare collection could help speed up buses, while additional bus shelters and transit information kiosks direct riders to their destinations. Further into the future, a Downtown Brooklyn Bus shuttle system or a dedicated loop route could be introduced, while certain routes could be extended to reach the area’s fastest-growing trip generators. In order to advance these and other affiliated recommendations, the Study Steering committee, led by DOT, will continue to meet on a regular basis and work towards improving the surface transit conditions in rapidly-growing Downtown Brooklyn. Download the final report
Existing and Future Conditions Report
This report examines Downtown Brooklyn's overall surface transit environment. The results are based on extensive data analysis as well as the nearly 1000 focus group and user/non-user surveys indicating how the surface transit system is perceived by those who live, work, shop and spend time there on a daily basis. The primary focus is on bus transit service efficiency and effectiveness. What are the impacts of existing traffic congestion on quality of bus service within the downtown area? How do current bus riders perceive service in the downtown area? How will Downtown Brooklyn’s projected growth and development potentially affect bus service and ridership? Are all areas adequately served by buses? This report documents existing and future conditions that directly or indirectly impact Downtown Brooklyn’s surface transit. The goal of this report is to create a framework that can be used to determine the best ways to improve overall surface transit circulation in the Study Area for both the short and long term. Executive Summary and Table of Contents Introduction Existing Land Use Transit Services Existing Surface Transit Conditions Problem Identification and Conclusions
Presentations at Public Meetings
- Stakeholders Committee Meeting March 2009
- Stakeholders Committee Meeting June 2009
- Public Meeting November 2009
- Future Conditions Report
Related Projects
Brooklyn Bridge Gateway Reconstruction Project
The gateway to Brooklyn, from the historic Brooklyn Bridge, will soon be redesigned as part of a capital reconstruction project, anticipated to take place in 2012 with a budget of $12 million, encompassing all of Tillary Street and portions of Adams Street. Learn more about the Brooklyn Bridge Gateway Reconstruction Project
Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Project
The Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Project was a cooperative project between DOT, local elected officials and community groups. The project's goal is to make all types of streets function better for all users of the public space. The area includes the communities of Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, Park Slope, Gowanus, Red Hook, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Columbia Terrace, Brooklyn Heights, Fulton Landing, Downtown Brooklyn and Vinegar Hill. Learn more about the Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Project
Red Hook Streetcar Feasibility Study
DOT conducted a five-month study to determine the feasibility of a running a streetcar route in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Red Hook. Learn more about the Red Hook Streetcar Feasibility Study