Location: New York, NY
Client: Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation
Services
Transportation Planning
Bike + Pedestrian Planning
Civil Design
Brooklyn Bridge Park Traffic Calming
Sam Schwartz was retained by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation to conduct a study of the loop road adjacent to Pier 5 and 6 and develop measures to address current congestion issues. Qualitative observations were made during summer weekends to document operations of vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle, and transit traffic during peak activity times. In addition, Sam Schwartz hosted multiple information-gathering sessions with stakeholders, such as park staff, the Community Advisory Council, adjacent property owners, the local community board, and public agencies (NYCDOT and MTA).
In summer 2015, Sam Schwartz designed and oversaw implementation of a pilot program to calm traffic and improve pedestrian circulation that included changes to street directions and striping and the addition of pedestrian space. Designs are currently being prepared to make the pilot program permanent. Geometric changes will include realigning a segment of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, widening and straightening sidewalks, relocating an MTA bus layover, and repurposing vehicle space to create an additional .25 acres of parkland.