FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #14-56
Scott Gastel/Nicholas Mosquera, (212) 839-4850
NYC DOT Continues Vision Zero Public Outreach With Ongoing Series of Public Workshops and Interactive Web Portal, the Next Steps in the City’s Street Safety Action Plan
Ongoing series of public workshops provides for extensive community input and safety planning as DOT and the NYPD pursue the Vision Zero initiatives announced earlier this year
Interactive online portal has drawn nearly 11,000 comments, allows all New Yorkers to take an active role in shaping safety projects on New York City streets
New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Polly Trottenberg today thanked all New Yorkers for their contributions to the Vision Zero initiative, and provided details on the continuing series of public workshops. Building on the success of the earlier workshops Brooklyn and the Bronx, as well as the ongoing series of Vision Zero town halls held in coordination with the City Council and other stakeholders, the upcoming workshops allow for extensive community input and collaboration as DOT and the New York City Police Department develop pedestrian safety plans for each borough. The Commissioner also announced that New Yorkers have made more than 10,000 contributions to the administration’s Vision Zero online portal.
The workshops are designed for members of the public to learn more about the Vision Zero blueprint, provide input on conditions in neighborhoods where they live, work and visit, and to aid in the prioritization of the 50 street safety initiatives that will be implemented each year. During the events, New Yorkers will have the opportunity to contribute specific suggestions or concerns, participate in mapping activities to pinpoint issues, and participate in small discussion groups moderated by DOT and NYPD staff, allowing community members to collaborate with their neighbors. The workshops kick off at 6:30 p.m. but the rolling start allows participants to arrive as late at 8 p.m. and still take part in a facilitated discussion which last approximately 45 minutes.
“Making Vision Zero a reality means more than just engineering, education and enforcement: it’s a collaborative effort that will require every New Yorker to play their part,” said DOT Commissioner Trottenberg. “These workshops are an open call for all citizens looking to shape the future of their neighborhoods. Building on a city’s worth of local insight, they will lay the groundwork for streets that work better for everyone.”
Workshop details are as follows:
Queens
Wednesday, May 21
Bohemian Hall
29-19 24th Avenue
Doors open at 6:30; Last session starts at 8:00pm
Queens
Thursday, May 29
Jamaica Performing Arts Center
153-10 Jamaica Ave
Doors open at 6:30; Last session starts at 8:00pm
Manhattan
Wednesday, June 11
Our Lady of Pompeii, 25 Carmine Street
(Father Demo Hall: Enter on Bleecker St)
Doors open at 6:30; Last session starts at 8:00pm
Manhattan
Monday, June 16
Alhambra Ballroom
2116 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard
Doors open at 6:30; Last session starts at 8:00pm
Staten Island
Thursday, June 26
Curtis High School (Cafeteria)
105 Hamilton Avenue
Doors open at 6:30; Last session starts at 8:00pm
The Vision Zero web portal allows New Yorkers to actively participate in the discussion of street safety even if their schedules prevent them from attending a workshop. Visitors to the website visionzero.herokuapp.com can interact with a map of the five boroughs and identify specific locations where they observe dangerous driver behavior like red light running, speeding and failure to yield to pedestrians, or areas where pedestrians face long crossing distances, poor visibility or other challenges. Visitors can also post descriptions of these conditions, while other users can contribute comments or note their agreement. In just three weeks since launch, New Yorkers have made 10,860 contributions, including 4,460 suggestions and 6,400 comments.
For more information on the public workshops and all of DOT’s Vision Zero efforts, please visit nyc.gov/dot and nyc.gov/visionzero.
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