The city announced plans to target Manhattan’s most dangerous intersections, and expects to pay particular attention to Broadway on the Upper West Side. The Department of Transportation has been analyzing crash data in all five boroughs during Mayor de Blasio’s first year and laying out plans to make them safer. They also held town hall meetings and gathered data from an online form.
On the UWS, Broadway has been identified as a “priority corridor,” because it accounts for a disproportionate number of pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries. Priority intersections on the UWS include 71st street where Broadway and Amsterdam cross, 106th and Broadway, 86th and Broadway, and 72nd and Broadway. Of those, 106th and Broadway was the most dangerous from 2009 to 2013, with four serious pedestrian injuries and one fatality. The city has already made changes to the 71st street intersection, part of an area known as “the bowtie of death” (the bowtie refers tot he spot where Amsterdam and Broadway cross).
Oddly, the study did not include 96th and Broadway, where two pedestrians were killed in 2014 alone; it shows how “most dangerous” designations depend heavily on variables like time frame. Last year, the community board chose four different intersections as most dangerous (though it was considered a preliminary list).
Among the city’s top priorities to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety in 2015 is redesigning the Lincoln Square bowtie area between 66th and 63rd streets.
The city has released lots of fascinating data in the plan. Here are some highlights:
- “In Manhattan, pedestrian fatalities fell by 60% in the past three decades, but still has the highest pedestrian fatalities rate per resident of the five [boroughs]. The highest crash locations in the borough are heavily concentrated below 59 Street. Senior citizens comprise just 14% of the borough’s population but account for 41% of the borough’s pedestrian fatalities. In Manhattan, nighttime (9 pm to midnight) pedestrian fatalities account for 21% versus 15% in all New York City. Trucks are involved in pedestrian fatalities in Manhattan at a higher rate (25%) than in any other borough in the city (12% for all NYC).”
- “Seniors (aged 65 and older) represent just 14% of Manhattan’s population but 41% of its pedestrian fatalities, the highest percentage of all of the five boroughs.”
- “Nationwide, motor vehicle occupants comprise the vast majority of traffic fatalities, with pedestrians accounting for about 14% (2010–2012). However, in New York City, where walking is much more common, the figure is significantly higher, making up 58% of traffic fatalities. This trend is particularly evident in high-density, walking-centric Manhattan, where pedestrians constitute 73% of all traffic deaths (the highest share of the five boroughs by a wide margin).”
The intersection at 106/B’way is an odd one. The street is very wide, there is very little traffic on 106th, and almost nobody (my self included at times) waits for the light when crossing 106th on the east side of the street.
Curious as to what you mean by “odd”. Frankly, I find that a very dangerous intersection because the width of 106th St means that crosstown drivers are usually speeding when they go through that intersection. Add to that the buses parked on the SW corner blocking the view if your trying to cross 106th from S to N on that side of Broadway.
Surprising! 96 st and b’way is a massively dangerous intersection. There must be some political reason they’re staying attached to the new (and bad) solution there. I think it should be top-of-the-list as I see people about go be hit EVERY TIME I’m waiting at the light!
Cross with the lights everybody. That’s what they are for, but still watch out for the cars or taxis!I don’t want to read of one more pedestrian death.
Nancy… You are blowing in the wind.. There are only two constants. The Universe and human stupidity.
Perhaps we need to revive the old commerical with the catchy jingle that began “Don’t walk in the middle, in the middle, in the middle, in the middle, in the middle in the middle of the block”…”and wait, and wait, until you see the light turn green.”
Anyone out there remember that?
It was “Don’t cross…”, not “Don’t walk…”
I do recall that traffic safety ditty from the 60’s:
“Don’t cross the street in the middle in the middle In the middle in the middle in the middle of the block
Don’t cross the street in the middle in the middle In the middle in the middle in the middle of the block
Use your eyes to look up Use your ears to hear Walk up to the corner when the coast is clear And wait And wait Until you see the light turn green.”
Still good advice today!
Is it true that they are putting in “Poor Intersections” at the most dangerous street crossings in order to eliminate the same kind of low rent people that the local intelligentsia does not want to live next door to in their nice, high class buildings?
🙂
CPW and 63rd Street should be also be added to the list
I use a mobility scooter and have to constantly worry when I cross a large intersection. The worst crossings for me are 86th & West End Ave and 79th & Amsterdam.
Cars and trucks making a left or right turn do not take much care and rush to cross.
Any helpful comments????