In 1988, the New York State Legislature passed a law to allow cities with a population of one million or more to establish a demonstration program to install traffic-control signal photo violation-monitoring systems (red light cameras), which captures images of vehicles going through red light signals at traffic intersections. New York City used this authorization to launch the nation's first program in 1994. The success of red light cameras in enhancing public safety throughout the five boroughs has led to the City's continued interest in additional expansion. Further increasing the total number of red light cameras the City is allowed to use will make this public safety tool even more effective.
DOT presented a draft proposal for robust safety improvements on Queens Boulevard between Roosevelt Avenue and 73rd Street. The plan includes protected bicycle lanes, increased pedestrian space and specific safety improvements at intersections, with anticipated implementation in August 2015. This project lays the groundwork for a $100 million capital investment on Queens Boulevard, a Vision Zero Priority Corridor, as part of the de Blasio Administration's Great Streets initiative.
Since 1948, the New York City Department of Transportation has monitored traffic flow on 47 bridges operated by the City of New York. This 2004 New York City Bridge Traffic Volumes report summarizes vehicular volumes, classification data, and trends for the 47 bridges that cross over water, as well as the nine bridges and tunnels operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the six bridges and tunnels operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The 2004 New York City Screenline Traffic Flow Report presents vehicular volumes and historical comparisons across the Bronx-Westchester, Queens-Nassau, Manhattan-New Jersey, Staten Island-New Jersey, and Brooklyn-Queens screenlines.
Local Law 11 requires the Department of Transportation to identify the twenty highest crash locations, based upon a ranking of the total number of crashes involving pedestrians. The New York City Pedestrian Safety Study & Action Plan examines eight years of traffic crash data to identify the underlying causes that can be addressed to reduce these crashes. The Department of Transporation recommends a comprehensive set of actions, which consists of highly targeted, data-driven elements including engineering, enforcement, public communication, and policy and legislation.
The Department of Transportation published the Street Works Manual, a resource for everyone that performs work in New York City streets. The manual covers advanced planning of construction projects, all construction-related DOT permits, and how and when to obtain these permits.