Location

New York, NY

Client

New York City Economic Development Corporation

Collaborators

PAU

Services

  • Transportation Planning

  • Transportation Demand Modeling

  • Transit Planning

  • Urban Design

  • Traffic Engineering

  • Community Engagement

Sunnyside Yard Master Plan


 
Sunnyside Yards redevelopment site map

Image credit: PAU

Sam Schwartz was part of the interdisciplinary technical consultant team that developed a master plan for Sunnyside Yard in Queens, New York. At over 180 acres, the yard could be the largest and one of the most complex publicly-planned developments in New York City’s history.

The plan provides a vision and implementation framework to guide the phased development of an overbuild project at Sunnyside Yard, creating new land for sustainable growth in the form of a deck over some of the most active rail lines in North America.

Sam Schwartz led the mobility elements of the plan, analyzing transportation from both technical and design standpoints. The team identified new transit and other mobility investments that might be necessary to accommodate growth; how the design of the site can minimize new automobile trips; and how streets should be designed to encourage walking, biking, and transit use, and accommodate efficient freight delivery. The team also considered the opportunities presented by emerging technologies such as connected and autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and smart city infrastructure, working with the community, City and State agencies to envision how an overbuild of the yard can catalyze transformative improvements in the transportation system.

 
Image credit: PAU

Image credit: PAU

 
Image credit: PAU, NYCEDC

Image credit: PAU, NYCEDC