Like many other intersections in our neighborhood, the one at Church and McDonald avenues poses a danger to people who cross it, whether on foot or on wheels.
I contacted the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) in November 2023 to request the installation of a Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) at the intersection. They sent this response on Thursday: the seven-second LPI for crossing Church is long enough, and an LPI for crossing McDonald isn't needed.
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From: Customer Service <CRM_autoresponses@dot.nyc.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2023 1:34 PM
To: Joy Rich
Subject: DOT-625496-M6D7 - Leading Pedestrian Signal Study- Church Avenue at Mcdonald Avenue - Brooklyn
Dear Joy Rich:
Thank you for your correspondence regarding unsafe traffic conditions at the intersection of Church Avenue and McDonald Avenue.
The
Department of Transportation (DOT) is committed to providing all New
Yorkers with a safe, efficient, and reliable transportation network. DOT
and the City of New York continues its efforts to make bold commitments
to improve street safety in every neighborhood and in every borough –
with new street designs and configurations, enhanced pedestrian spaces,
public education, and increased penalties for dangerous drivers. There
is much more work ahead of us and DOT is committed to our partnership
with NYPD, TLC, and other City agencies in making roads safer for all
New Yorkers.
DOT’s
Division of Traffic will conduct a study at this location to determine
the need and feasibility of installing a Leading Pedestrian Interval,
which gives pedestrians time to begin crossing the street before the
light turns green for motorists. This study will take into consideration
traffic and pedestrian volumes, vehicular speeds, accident history,
visibility, signal spacing, and other conditions. This process takes
some time to complete, but it provides traffic engineers with enough
information to reach decisions which are in the best interests of public
safety and efficient street operation. Borough Commissioner Keith Bray will advise you of our findings at that time.
Thank you for your concern for traffic safety.
Donna Manitta
Commissioner's Correspondence Unit
New York City Department of Transportation
From: Customer Service <CRM_autoresponses@dot.nyc.gov>
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2024 4:57 PM
To: Joy Rich
Subject: DOT-625496-M6D7 - Leading Pedestrian Signal Study- Church Avenue at McDonald Avenue - Brooklyn
Dear Joy Rich,
This
is in response to our November 22, 2023, email regarding the operation
of the traffic signals at the intersection of Church Avenue and McDonald
Avenue. Please accept my apologies for the delay.
We
completed our investigation and found these signals operating properly
as designed with an adequate amount of time allocated for the pedestrian
crossings. In addition, we evaluated the need for a Leading Pedestrian
Interval (LPI) for pedestrian crossing McDonald Avenue, but in our
judgment, it is not required since there are no significant turning
vehicular/pedestrian conflicts. However, there is an existing Leading
Pedestrian Interval (LPI) for pedestrian crossing Church Avenue. The
LPI provides an exclusive Seven-(7) seconds “WALK” period at the start
of the signal phase, long enough for pedestrians to establish their
presence in the crosswalk.
In
order to obtain the full benefit of the crossing time provided,
pedestrians should start crossing at the beginning of the “Walking Man”
indication. A flashing “Hand” indicates that there is insufficient time
to complete the crossing. However, pedestrians already in the crossing
will have sufficient time to proceed to the opposite sidewalk or median
(where provided).
Under
NYS law, vehicles making right/left turns must always yield to
pedestrians in the crosswalk. Violation of the law is an enforcement
problem and should be referred to the local precinct for their
attention.
Thank you for your continued interest in this matter.
Sincerely,
Keith Bray
Brooklyn Borough Commissioner
NYC Department of Transportation
www.nyc.gov/dot
CK22-3448B
DOT-625496-M6D7
