Madison Avenue Traffic Calming Who We Are: Consortium of 17 neighborhood associations, churches, schools, hospital, and businesses concerned about economic health and public safety. What We Seek: Common Council support for Madison Avenue Traffic calming project

-Traffic Calming Concept

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Traffic Calming Concept

Benefits - Fewer Traffic Lanes Mean Fewer Accidents

4-Lane Madison Ave. Traffic Accidents ,000 AADT (Volume of Traffic) Total Traffic Accidents: 2,252 Bicycle: 26 Pedestrian: 96 Other vehicles: 2,067 Other: 63

2- Lane Western Avenue Traffic Accidents, ,000 AADT (Volume of Traffic) Total Traffic Accidents: 900 Bicycle: 12 Pedestrian: 40 Other vehicles: 824 Other: 24

Madison Avenue Traffic Infractions Traffic Infractions 109 Failure to obey traffic signaling 1246 speed violations (includes school zone, construction zone, road condition, maximum limit violations) 2571 traffic device violations Benefit: Traffic Calming Leads to Fewer Traffic Infractions

Traffic Calming Reduces Speeding – Makes Street Safer for All Accidents Traffic Tickets% Speeding Tickets 4 – Lane Madison 14,000 AADT % 2 – Lane Western 19,000 AADT %

Benefit: Improved Access for Emergency Vehicles Bypass congestion Space for vehicles to pull to side of the road Courtesy of Thomas Welch, Director, Office of Transportation Safety, IDOT.

Benefit - Economic Improvement – Case Study - West Palm Beach Florida “… our city was dead 10 years ago”. In downtown… [a] street was converted from a one-way, four-lane street to two lane, two-way traffic. Property values have risen from $10-$40 per square foot to $50- $100 per square foot. Commercial rents have risen from $6 per square foot to $30 per square foot in downtown areas that have been traffic calmed. Once half-occupied, commercial buildings now have no vacancies. City of West Palm Beach (1998). "Traffic Calming Reference Materials." Ian Lockwood and Timothy Stillings. October.

Benefit: NYS Municipalities Using Traffic Calming as Part of Economic Revitalization Syracuse Buffalo Saratoga Schenectady Glens Falls

Citywide Benefits Safer streets create sense of community – neighbors get to know each other – crime is reduced. Fewer accidents and crime frees up fire and police resources for rest of city. More taxes for city through increased sales and property taxes – worth the investment. Best practice model is an asset to entire city. Reduces pollution citywide. Prolongs pavement life & reduces maintenance costs.

And More Benefits Business increases due to greater visibility, more foot traffic, ease of parking & safer street to cross. Easier to exit driveways (improved sight distance) Quieter street enhances quality of life. Courtesy of Michael Ronkin, Oregon DOT.

Summary- Traffic Calming is Good for Everyone Drivers Steady ride – saves gas and wear & tear. Total travel time is less; speed limit maintained. Safer ride, fewer accidents, lower insurance. Left turn lane means less waiting/frustration. Pedestrians Streets are safer to cross. Walking more pleasant.

Traffic Calming is Good for Everyone Cyclists Wider traffic lanes make riding more pleasant Less speeding makes street safer Great visibility for drivers make riding safer Bus Riders Smoother traffic flow – fewer delays Allows curbside stops outside of travel lane Safer to cross street from/to bus

Madison Avenue Traffic Calming Benefits all residents, commuters, and visitors – whether they drive, walk, cycle, or bus. Enriches the neighborhood and a key gateway to our city. Enhances the aesthetic and monetary value of our parks, businesses, and homes. We need the support of the Albany Common Council and City officials to make this happen for our citizens and businesses.

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