A Vision for Complete Streets
in Northeastern Queens
HUNTER COLLEGE, MASTER OF URBAN PLANNING FALL 2019 STUDIO
Final Presentation to NYC DOT December 12, 2019 Source: 2019 Bike Map, NYCDOT, 2019 NYC has Made Impressive Progress Building a Bike Network… How Can Northeastern Queens Connect?
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 2 Background/Dilemma
Northeastern Queens (CD11) resembles a slice of suburbia in New York City.
Cars are dominant form of transportation but there are concerns about road safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
Northeastern Queens experiences traffic, and while transit in the area exists, the system is less than ideal and challenges the community’s self-image of livability.
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 Intersection at Bell Boulevard and 39th Avenue 3 About the Studio
Client: NYC DOT Project Objectives:
● Identify how bike and pedestrian infrastructure improvements in Northeastern Queens (CD11) can be used as a tool to increase mobility and equity
● Develop a community vision plan for street network improvements in CD11
● Catalyze community dialogue about cycling and pedestrian infrastructure NYC DOT improvements
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 4 Agenda
1. The Community and the Dilemma 2. Research Methodology
3. A Vision for Complete Streets
4. Proposed Interventions 5. Q & A
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 Intersection at Northern Blvd & 223rd Street 5 The Community:
Northeastern Queens (CD11) Douglas Manor Bayside At a Glance: To Nassau Douglaston County Auburndale Little Neck
Oakland 121,139 $78,380 46% Asian 37,500 Gardens Total Median 37.5% White K-12 + Population Income 12.4% Hispanic QCC students Race/ Ethnicity East Flushing Hollis Hills
To Flushing and 89.1% 19.3% Manhattan 8% 5% Have Population 65 Poverty Rate Roadways w/ Bike access to a and Older Infrastructure vehicle
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 Source Data: NYC DCP 6 The Dilemma
Northeastern Queens experiences traffic, and while transit in the area exists, the system is less than ideal and challenges the community’s self-image of livability.
● Strong community pride ● Self-identify as living in a “transit desert”
Desire for more safety, accessibility, and connectivity
● Discussion - but controversy - about biking’s role in achieving these goals …
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 7 Research Methodology
Literature Planning Quantitative Review of Community Theory Analysis Best Outreach Practices
GUIDING PRINCIPLES: SAFETY, ACCESSIBILITY & CONNECTIVITY
VISION DEVELOPMENT: COMPLETE STREETS
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 8 Planning Theory
Technical/Rational Dilemma: Political/Communicative Dilemma:
The Northeastern Queens Street Design is How to Nurture and Catalyze Existing Outdated and Does Not Serve the District’s Community Discussion Mobility Needs ● Discussion but controversy over the role ● Analyzed existing street network to of biking in improving livability identify strengths and weaknesses ● Growing generational interest to shift ● Analyzed street widths to gauge away from a car-dominated culture and technical feasibility of “road diets” lifestyle and reduce carbon footprint ● Varying level of tolerance to implement
bike infrastructure and consider trade offs
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 9 Quantitative Analysis: Select Examples
Transit Network Coverage in CD11
Source Data: NYPD
Source Data: Esri, HERE, Garmin © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS user community
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 10 Literature Review, Case Studies and Best Practices
● Design Manuals ● NYC Bike Plans ● DOT’s Green Wave Plan and Vision Zero Program ● U.S. City Bike Plans ● Academic Research ● Media Coverage
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 11 Community Outreach
We listened to the Northeastern community to understand the local context and wide range of perspectives.
● 2 surveys (219 responses) ● 13 in-depth stakeholder interviews ● 1 public engagement event ● 3 community board and transportation committee meetings ● 4 guided tours (walk, bike, drive) with stakeholders ● 2 articles published by the local press
12 A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 Studio Team at the NYC DOT Bike Helmet Giveaway event, October 20, 2019 In-Depth Interviews and Guided Tours
Bernard Haber, Transportation expert (r), resident John Kelly, Resident and safe streets advocate
SAFETY, ACCESSIBILITY, CONNECTIVITY Victor Dadras, Transportation Committee Chair Juan Restrepo, Transportation Alternatives
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 13 Wide Range of Opinions: How to Improve the Transit Network in CD11
“Some of the worst areas are along “Free on-street parking is not a subsidy.” streets like Northern Boulevard which “I would like to see them [bike lanes and sidewalks] made more user friendly have high congestion, very slow especially around the parks and schools.” buses, and no safe bike lanes or are not enjoyable to walk through.”
“Children and teenagers are at the mercy of “People only use bikes for whenever their parents can drive them around.” “I need to have street parking in recreation.” front of my home.”
“You’re not going to make us not drive, “I think the equity issue exists with right?” the pricing structure on LIRR in “It’s America. I have a right to drive.” that district. The fares are much higher than the buses. It makes it hard for people with limited income or students to afford it.” “The elderly are beholden to buses or rides from others.”
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 14 Vision Plan Methodology
● Use guiding principles to conceptualize complete CONNECTIVITY SAFETY
streets Create a unified network Provide streets that of complete streets that CD11 have a clear sense ● Identify key destinations brings people to where of order for various they want to go Complete modes of ● Develop unified network of transportation and Streets provide safety complete streets protections
● Consult DOT toolkit, community stakeholders and best practices research to ACCESSIBILITY
identify viable interventions Design streets to be ● Propose interventions inclusive so all people have safe, efficient and low-cost mobility options 15 A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 Complete Streets
Source: Birmingham City Council A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 16 Complete Streets
Source: Birmingham City Council A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 17 Anchoring Destinations
Schools & Parks & Business Youth Friendly Playgrounds Corridors & Sites Transit Hubs
UNIFIED NETWORK OF COMPLETE STREETS
INTERVENTION PROPOSALS Bicycle Infrastructure - Pedestrian Improvements - Wayfinding - Programming
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 18 Anchoring Destinations
Existing transportation network and major destinations in Northeastern Queens (CD11).
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 19 Intervention: Bicycle Network
Alternatives Matrix ● Street Context ● Average Daily Traffic (ADT) ● Average Width ● Number of Traffic lanes ● Number of Curb Cuts ● Risks Associated with the Corridor ● Benefits of the Corridor
Bell Boulevard, a commercial corridor in Bayside, Queens
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 20 Intervention: Bicycle Network
Create an unified network of complete streets
30+ miles of new bike lanes
Focus Areas
● East-West Corridors ● North-South Corridors and Connections
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 21 Intervention: Bicycle Network
Create an unified network of complete streets
30+ miles of new bike lanes
Types of Implementation
● Protected Bike Lanes ● Conventional Bike Lanes ● Extension of Greenways
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 22 Intervention: Bicycle Network Phase One: Building the Frame
East - West Corridors:
73rd Ave. connecting Alley Pond Park and Cunningham Park.
32nd Ave./33rd. Ave. (corridors north of Northern Blvd.) connecting Joe Michaels Mile to Downtown Flushing.
56th Ave./58th Ave. (corridor south of Northern Blvd.) connecting the greenway to Kissena Park.
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 23 Intervention: Bicycle Network
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 24 Intervention: Bicycle Network Phase One: Building the Frame
North-South Corridors:
Corporal Kennedy St./Oceania St. connecting Bayside to Oakland Gardens.
Clearview Expressway Service Road connecting Auburndale.
Little Neck Pkwy./Marathon Pkwy. connecting the LIRR train station and Little Neck (south).
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 25 Intervention: Bicycle Network
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 26 Intervention: Bicycle Network Phase Two: Connecting the Dots
28th Ave./26th Ave. connecting the greenway to the N-S corridors that also connects with the E-W corridors.
Bell Blvd., 48th Ave. & Springfield Blvd. connecting QCC/Cardozo H.S. to the larger network.
W. Alley Rd. /Douglaston Pkwy. connecting Little Neck with Alley Pond Park and the grenway.
Hollis CT Blvd. connecting Auburndale with East Flushing.
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 27 Intervention: Bicycle Network
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 28 Intervention: Bicycle Network
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 29 Intervention: Bicycle Network
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 30 Intervention: Pedestrian Safety Improvements
Focus areas
● High schools ● Bell Boulevard ● Northern Boulevard ● Park and playground entrances
Types of Implementation
● Bump Outs ● Pedestrian Islands ● High Visibility Crosswalks ● Signaling and Signage ● Advanced Stop or Yield line
Source: Ped Bike Images - Dan Burden (Top Left) A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 SRTS Guide (Top Right), Urban Residue (Bottom) 31 Intervention: Safer Crosswalks Near Schools
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 32 Intervention: Northern Blvd.
111th Precinct Crash Injuries 1/1/2019 - 7/22/2019
Source: NYC Open Data
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 33 A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 34 A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 35 A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 36 Intervention: Bicycle Parking
Focus areas
● Bell Boulevard ● Bus Stops ● Park & playground entrances ● Schools Sample existing condition: “makeshift” bike rack near Bell Boulevard Types of Implementations
● Short-term storage ● Long-term storage
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 37 Intervention: Bicycle Parking
Focus areas
● Bell Boulevard ● Bus Stops ● Park & playground entrances ● Schools
Types of Implementations
● Short-term storage ● Long-term storage
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 38 Opportunities for Bicycle Parking near the LIRR Bayside Station
Repurposing several parking spaces and unused areas in the neighborhood’s Municipal Parking Lot into high capacity and sheltered bike parking.
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 39 Opportunities for Bicycle Parking near Bell Blvd
Working with businesses to activate underutilized sidewalk space by installing bike facilities.
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 40 Intervention: Education
Wayfinding
● Focus locations: ● Local parks and trails ● Public transit centers and stations ● Schools ● Commercial centers ● Types of Signs Photo: Signage in Adelaide, Australia ● Confirmation Signs ● Turn Signs ● Decision Signs
Programming
● Commute to Work Biking Program ● Education Programs: ● Bike to School rides ● Learn to Ride classes ● Bike Mechanics 101 Graphic: NYC DOT
A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 41 We hope our vision plan will help catalyze CD11 discussion about how bike and pedestrian infrastructure can improve livability in their community. Conclusion and Thank You
The Dilemma: The existing street network reflects an outdated paradigm and transit options are less than ideal for CD11 residents. The community feels limited mobility options challenge their self-image of livability.
The Solution: Complete streets are immediate, low-cost and reversible interventions that can provide some immediate relief for CD11’s frustration with the transit network and improve livability through increased safety, accessibility and connectivity.
Studio Next Steps:
● Final presentation and report to NYC DOT ● Presentation to Queens CB 11 (post-semester) Studio Team: Thomas Bardenett. Amanda Campelo, Jaime Cho, Kerry Goleski, Carlos Martinez, Jesslyn Moser, Kenneth Rivas, Jenna A VISION FOR COMPLETE STREETS - QUEENS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11 Stein. Faculty Advisor: Jason Brody 42
Questions?
Source: 2019 Bike Map, NYCDOT, 2019 Appendix