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Photo via Senator Andrew Gounardes

All eyes on Albany! New Yorkers were celebrating earlier this month when Sammy's Law, which allows the city to set its own, lower, speed limits, was signed into law after years of advocacy. One victory, three to go. Here are opportunities on the horizon for Albany to make New York City's streets safer and more livable before the session wraps in 12 days:

Reducing red light running

New York City's highly effective red light camera program is set to expire at the end of this session. Albany legislators have a chance to reauthorize NYC DOT's use of these cameras and expand the program to cover 10% of intersections (the program is currently only permitted to operate at about 1% of city intersections). These cameras work — red light running has decreased 73% at participating intersections and severe crashes have decreased 63%. Expanding the bill is a simple way to protect many more New Yorkers.  

Reducing car dependence
We joined advocates at the state capitol this week to support the #GetAroundNY Act - a groundbreaking law that would require New York State to assess every infrastructure project on its impact on vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Any project that expands highway capacity would be reviewed to determine whether the project aligns with VMT reduction goals. If it doesn’t, the project must be altered to reduce VMT or include mitigation, like active transportation infrastructure and/or public transit improvements. 

Limiting dangerous speeds
Senator Gounardes has proposed a bill to install Intelligent Speed Assist on the vehicles of New York City's most dangerous and serial speeders. The technology would work similarly to breathalyzer devices used for serial drunk drivers. Excessive speeding is not a victimless crime -- it plays a role in about a third of all traffic deaths (roughly the same percentage as crashes involving drunk drivers) and a person hit by a car traveling 35mph is five times more likely to die than if the car was traveling 20mph. These devices would apply to a tiny fraction of the population but result in a massive increase in safety for everyone on the road, including drivers. You can send a letter to your elected officials supporting this bill and others in the SAFE Streets Package. 

Clarence Eckerson & Streetsblog's Gersh Kuntzman talk with Stockholm  expert Jonas Eliasson about how the toll, introduced in 2007, has won the hearts of residents & transformed congested highways into fast-moving corridors.

DOT will pilot a first-ever digital curb inventory as part of Smart Curbs, providing crucial insights into how our curbs work & how they can better serve all NYers. It's a win for Open Plans' curb recommendations released in 2023. 

🍽 Join a roving excursion through NYC's outdoor dining future on Friday, May 17th! Starting at 10:30am, NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez will kick off a celebration of the outdoor dining prototypes the City is piloting as part its new permanent program. You'll visit four sites in total, sampling cuisines & learning from designers & stakeholders about the design of the new modules.

🚚 Have a say about the future of NYC DOT's Truck Route Network redesign. Leave a comment using their feedback map focusing on enhancing safety, increasing visibility, and reducing traffic congestion.

🌸 Celebrate Long Island City at the LIC Springs! community street festival this Saturday, May 18, featuring live music, dance performances, and a variety of interactive lessons. Catch our table on 49th Ave and Vernon Blvd and enjoy a day filled with outdoor dining, art, fitness classes, pop-up activities, and games, all free and open to the public.

🖼️ Learn more about StreetopiaUWS' campaign to reimagine West 72nd Street into a complete street at the Columbus Avenue Open Street this Saturday, May 18. Dine outdoors, enjoy fun weekend activities, and celebrate the Open Street with your neighbors.

🌍 This Saturday, May 18 at 12:00pm, join the Africa Center in celebrating Africa Day in Harlem. There will be partial sidewalk closure on 5th Avenue between East 109th Street and Frawley Circle where you can participate in free art workshops, enjoy local vendors, entertainment, food, and more.

🏭 Get an inside look at Street Lab's new warehouse space with a tour lead by their Design Lead, Hannah Berkin-Harper and find out how design plays a big role in their work this Saturday, May 18 at 1:00pm.

🌱 FDC is kicking off their Open Streets season with a neighborhood clean up and a celebration of community this Sunday, May 19. Swing by our table at the Flatbush Community Day and learn more about our campaigns on Newkirk Avenue between Coney Island Avenue and East 17th Street in Brooklyn.

🎨 Explore the intersection of art, freedom, and urban planning on Tuesday, May 21 at 6:00pm at "Unbound Blueprint: The Art of Liberation," a collaborative event by DivComm and co:census featuring exhibitions and discussions that challenge the confines of traditional urban spaces and celebrate the theme of freedom.

🏘️ Interested about learning the nuances and the impacts of the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal? AIANY is hosting an event on Tuesday, June 11 at 8:30am with a presentation lead by DCP and panel directly after consisting of advocates, architects, developers, zoning experts, government officials, and community members to discuss the ins and outs and why it’s critical for the city to pass the proposal.

Open Plans |  377 Broadway, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10013-3907

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