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NYC's Bold Move: Streets Become Pedestrian Havens
8 Nov
Summary
- Pedestrian injuries dropped 35% after Times Square street closure.
- Driver and passenger injuries decreased by 63% in the project area.
- New plazas increased Times Square foot traffic by 11%.
In 2009, New York City reimagined Times Square by closing a section of Broadway to vehicle traffic, dedicating the space to pedestrians. This pilot project aimed to address safety concerns and improve the bustling urban environment.
An evaluation report published in January 2010 revealed striking safety improvements. Pedestrian injuries in the project area decreased by 35%, while injuries to drivers and passengers saw a significant reduction of 63%. Cyclist injuries saw a slight increase, but overall pedestrian activity on streets dropped by 80%.
The transformation also led to a 11% increase in foot traffic within Times Square. Activities like sightseeing and photo-taking shifted from sidewalks to newly created plazas, freeing up space for movement.
This initiative was the first of its kind in the U.S. and paved the way for a citywide plaza program. By 2022, the city had established or was developing 73 plazas across its boroughs. The success of the Times Square project demonstrated that reallocating road space to people can enhance both safety and public atmosphere.
