Traffic s Human Toll How Cars and Trucks Affect New Yorkers Quality of Life

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Hortense Boyd
5 years ago
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1 How Cars and Trucks Affect New Yorkers Quality of Life

2 Livable Streets Study Donald Appleyard, San Francisco

impacts on the residents living on a street.

3 Transportation Alternatives, New York City 1970 s - Donald Appleyard s Livable Streets study showed that high levels of vehicular traffic have negative social impacts on the residents living on a street The study Traffic s Human Toll tests to see if these conclusions are still relevant in modern day New York City.

4 The Neighborhoods A S T O R I A C H I N A T O W N B H R E O I O G K H L T Y S N H I G H B R I D G E

5 Process and Methodology 4 neighborhoods, 4 boroughs 13 streets 3 per neighborhood and 4 in Brooklyn Heights (2 light streets) 150 residents per neighborhood Light, medium and high-traffic volume streets 50 resident interviews per street category Door-to-door interviews

6 Preliminary Results Residents Perceptions If we were to reconstruct these streets based on the residents perceptions. heavy-traffic streets would look more like this.

7 Preliminary Results Residents Perceptions If we were to reconstruct these streets based on the residents perceptions. light-traffic streets would look more like this.

8 Preliminary Results Residents Outdoor Activities On light-traffic streets residents reported high degrees of both outdoor living in their spare time.

9 Preliminary Results Residents Outdoor Activities.as traffic volumes increase.

10 Preliminary Results Residents Outdoor Activities the amount of outdoor living decreases and the amount of indoor living increases.

11 Preliminary Results What are some things that you like about your block? (Common likes) All Streets: community, friendly neighbors and proximity to transit, shopping areas and other urban amenities Light-traffic Streets: friendly neighbors and community, quiet and pleasant street Medium-traffic Streets: friendly neighbors and community, quiet and pleasant street and convenience of access to other areas Heavy-traffic Streets: friendly neighbors and community, quiet and pleasant street and convenience of access to other areas

12 Preliminary Results What are some things that you dislike about your block? (Common dislikes) High Bridge: crime and loitering on street Brooklyn Heights: not enough parking for residents, impacts of traffic Astoria:diverse issues Light-traffic Streets: not enough parking, people not cleaning up after their dogs Medium-traffic Streets: cold, unfriendly neighbors, general noise, high traffic Heavy-traffic Streets: too much traffic, too much through traffic, speeding traffic

13 Preliminary Results Astoria, Brooklyn Heights and High Bridge How often does the traffic on your street bother you when you are doing the following: (%Often/Sometimes), N=300 45% 40% 35% 33% 40% 37% Light-traffic Streets Medium-traffic Streets Heavy-traffic Streets 31% 30% 29% 25% 25% 24% 25% 27% 20% 15% 10% 19% 15% 17% 15% 16% 8% 8% 12% 10% 20% 15% 5% 5% 0% Watching TV Walking in Neighborhood Sleeping Talking at Home Working at Home Eating Playing with your Children Outside

14 Preliminary Results Astoria and Brooklyn Heights Do you do any of the following because of traffic? (% yes), N=205 80% 70% 60% 50% 49% Light-traffic Streets Medium-traffic Streets Heavy-traffic Streets 69% 51% 40% 37% 40% 35% 31% 30% 20% 10% 14% 8% 17% 3% 20% 18% 9% 21% 22% 1% 8% 22% 5% 14% 5% 19% 17% 4% 1% 7% 4% 1% 12% 0% Keep your windows shut Live more in the back of the house Forbid children to play on the street Tell children not to cross certain streets Go out on the street less often Close curtains, blinds or drapes Accompany children to school Fenced or Walled in Yard Planted Trees or Shrubs Traffic does not bother me when indoors or outdoors

15 Preliminary Results Relationships between Residents Astoria/Brooklyn Heights Light-traffic Streets: 18 friends & acquaintances per person Medium-traffic Streets: 11 friends & acquaintances per person Heavy-traffic Streets: 8 friends & acquaintances per person

16 Preliminary Results Residents Expectations What do you think will happen to traffic on your street in the next 5 years? (N=300) 80% 70% 60% 52% 67% Light-traffic Streets Medium-traffic Streets Heavy-traffic Streets 50% 43% 40% 34% 30% 25% 28% 20% 10% 0% 13% 12% 8% 5% 4% 3% 2% 2% 3% Improve Stay the Same Get Worse Don't Know No Response

streets: Smoother sidewalk surfaces (58%) Lower speed limits (52%) More enforcement / police presence (52%)

17 Preliminary Results Residents Expectations In all neighborhoods, more than a third of the residents interviewed feel that the following physical and regulatory measures would improve the quality of their streets: Smoother sidewalk surfaces (58%) Lower speed limits (52%) More enforcement / police presence (52%) More trees/greenery (52%) Improved street lighting (49%) Regulations that would prohibit trucks to access their street (47%)

Preliminary Results Residents Expectations In all neighborhoods, more than a third of the residents interviewed feel that the following physical and

18 Preliminary Results Residents Expectations In all neighborhoods, more than a third of the residents interviewed feel that the following physical and regulatory measures would improve the quality of their streets: Less cars (44%) Smoother street surfaces (44%) Bicycle lanes (39%) Speed humps (37%)

Borough of Danville, PA Traffic Calming Program Guidelines

Borough of Danville, PA Traffic Calming Program Guidelines Adopted by Borough Council on 1 INTRODUCTION Speeding Traffic is a major concern in the Borough of Danville because of its detrimental impacts