The Downtown Brooklyn Transportation Blueprint is a transportation planning study being conducted by the New York City Department of Transportation. It intends to establish a policy framework and provide a comprehensive set of multi-modal transportation treatments and innovations that can be implemented as needed over time to address existing congestion and future growth. See a map of the study area.
The study was initiated largely in response to the City's 2004 rezoning of downtown Brooklyn, which is already facilitating significant new development, and which could eventually result in a near doubling of the size of the core area in terms of employment and visitors. Future major developments such as Atlantic Yards and Brooklyn Bridge Park will generate even more trips. A major reason for the Downtown Brooklyn's bright future is its nearly unparalleled mass transit access that includes numerous bus and subway lines as well as commuter rail service. Despite this, the area suffers from significant roadway congestion as a result of its own activity as well as regional travel using the BQE, and Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. Concerns of congestion on the mass transit system are prevalent as well. The success of future projects and the continued revitalization and livability of surrounding “Brownstone” Brooklyn depends on maintaining access and mobility and continuing to improve safety and health. Therefore a comprehensive strategy, or blueprint, is required to address existing issues and those that will be raised by growth.
The Downtown Brooklyn Transportation Blueprint was initiated in 2005. Since then the following has been accomplished:
- A steering committee of local stakeholders and regional experts was formed to guide the technical and policy aspects of the study.
- NYCDOT's study consultant assembled data related to existing and projected travel demands, identified key trends and issues, and established six broad transportation goals for Downtown Brooklyn. Download the key indicators. [link to key indicators .pdf] Download the Blueprint Technical Memorandum "Existing and Anticipated Issues" - Part I (pdf) and Blueprint Technical Memorandum "Existing and Anticipated Issues" - Part II (pdf)
- An interactive community participation program was initiated and included a major public Charette in June 2005.
- PlaNYC initiatives relevant to Downtown Brooklyn have been incorporated into the study.
- 60 potential transportation improvement actions that address study goals were developed in response to public input.
- Fact Sheets were created for 18 Priority Initiatives that will be the focus of the Blueprint Implementation effort in the short and medium term. Download the fact sheets.
- An Implementation Framework has been developed which will serve as a basis for evaluating the future progress of Blueprint actions. Download the implementation framework.
Next steps include:
- Development of final Blueprint report
- Formation of a Blueprint Transportation Stakeholder Group that will monitor progress of Blueprint recommended projects and track transportation trends in Downtown Brooklyn
Based on the existing and anticipated transportation issues facing Downtown Brooklyn, a set of six broad goals were developed including:
Goal 1 - Accommodate travel demand growth
Goal 2 - Manage congestion
Goal 3 - Address the balance of through vs. local travel
Goal 4 - Recognize physical and fiscal constraints
Goal 5 - Improve street management and safety
Goal 6 - Overcome institutional challenges
Urbitran Associates, Inc assisted in the development of the Blueprint. The study had four main steps:
| 1. |
Gathering & Reviewing of Data |
| 2. |
Identification of Existing and Anticipated Issues |
| 3. |
Identification of Possible Transportation Improvement Goals, Policies, Strategies, and Initiatives |
| 4. |
Formulating the Transportation Blueprint |
Relationship to the Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Project
The DBTCP report, its assessments, and its recommendations provide the foundation for the Blueprint as DOT seeks to outline a broader strategy for responding to concerns raised both during the DBTCP study process and development planning processes.
Other Information
Please check back to this webpage for periodic updates.
