Res. No. 792

Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.5001-A/S.2515-B, in relation to establishing scramble crosswalks leading to and from school buildings during times of student arrival and dismissal.

By Council Members Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Restler and Riley

                     Whereas, In the 2022-2023 academic year, over 1,000,000 students were enrolled in the New York City Department of Education’s school system, the largest school district in the United States; and

Whereas, The City launched Vision Zero in January 2014, an initiative recognizing that traffic crashes causing serious injury and death are preventable incidents that can be systematically addressed and reduced; and

                     Whereas, As part of the City’s comprehensive plan to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries, the City currently operates speed cameras in 750 school zones to reduce speeding in these areas; and

Whereas, Despite these measures, it has been reported that there have been an alarming number of  traffic accidents happening near or outside of New York City schools over the years, including those that ended in a child being killed; and

Whereas, The New York City Police Department (NYPD) eliminated 486 crossing guard headcount positons in the most recent Fiscal Year 2024 New York City Adopted Budget, ahead of the 2023-2024 academic school year; and

Whereas, According to a statement by the Office of the Mayor in January 2022, crashes at intersections are responsible for 55 percent of pedestrian fatalities and 79 percent of pedestrian traffic injuries; and

Whereas, A pedestrian scramble, also known as a “Barnes Dance” or “scramble crosswalk,” among other names, is a type of traffic measure that allows pedestrians to cross street intersections in all directions simultaneously, during an exclusive pedestrian phase when all vehicular traffic is stopped; and

Whereas, Pedestrian scrambles enable vehicles to turn without having to wait for pedestrians to cross by eliminating concurrent pedestrian crossings; and

Whereas, According to the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), Barnes Dances reduce conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians, but have potential trade-offs to their implementation benefits, including increased sidewalk crowding, increased pedestrian and vehicular delays, and pedestrian and vehicular non-compliance; and

Whereas, According to the National Association of City Transportation Officials  (NACTO), pedestrian scrambles can have the benefits of increasing pedestrian visibility, reducing conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians, reducing pedestrian crossing time and exposure, and reducing the buffer zone between vehicles and pedestrians; and                       

Whereas, A.5001-A, sponsored by Assembly Members Brian Cunningham and Deborah Glick, and S.2515-B, sponsored by State Senator Jessica Ramos, and pending in the New York State Assembly, would amend the New York State Vehicle and Traffic law in relation to establishing scramble crosswalks leading to and from school buildings during times of student arrival and dismissal; and

Whereas, Such legislation could increase the safety of New York City students traveling to and from school; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.5001-A/S.2515-B, in relation to establishing scramble crosswalks leading to and from school buildings during times of student arrival and dismissal.

JB/KK

LS # 14015

9/11/23