Historic Fort Greene Brooklyn

Archive for March, 2006

2006 Traffic Problems

Friday, March 10th, 2006

Email your Traffic and Transit problems to [email protected].

Pedestrian DANGER Zones
in Fort Greene
The Fort Greene Association is very concerned about pedestrian safety in the neighborhood. There are many complicated intersections, but vehicular traffic is very dense and moves at fast speeds. The FGA feels it is imperative to have these issues addressed before someone gets hurt.
On this page, the FGA will document priority intersections and recommended ways in which DOT can rectify dangerous zones in the neighborhood. Although the DOT may be concerned with traffic flow and alleviating congestion, the FGA’s priority remains with pedestrian safety. Our citizens lives are at stake.
Until these issues are resolved, we recommend that citizens walk with EXTREME CAUTION at the intersections listed below.

1. Lafayette & Fort Greene Place mapquest

Large numbers of pedestrians cross where there is no crosswalk, and vehicles routinely put pedestrians at risk because of inadequate lights and crosswalks.
In the video, note all the pedestrians walking where there is no crosswalk. These shoppers are walking from the Atlantic Mall to the bus stop. Also note illegal turn by car, which blocks traffic behind and sometimes back to Fulton.
The FGA has asked the DOT to install a new crosswalk where pedestrians naturally walk, and to change the light rotation at Fulton and Lafayette

crossinglafayette-200604

2. Flatbush & Fourth Avenue mapquest

Light rotation does not allow for safe crossing by pedestrians, and traffic agents often wave cars through the red into the path of pedestrians.
In the video, note that traffic agents have not maintained the 8-second delay which gives pedestrians a head start in the crosswalk. Also note the pedestrian that gets trapped in the crosswalk, as well as the fact that there is no vehicular traffic at all during the last 10 seconds of the light rotation.
The FGA has asked the DOT to change the light pattern so that pedestrians do not have to battle motorists in order to get across the street

crossingflatbush-200604

Current Transit Issues being Pursued:
G-Train, http://savetheg.org/
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2004.002 Ugly bus lane sign at Fowler Square
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The recently installed BUS LANE signs installed at Fowler Square are a blight at this small patch of green. The FGA has asked the DOT to eliminate the sign altogether, as there is an identical sign just 30 feet or so east of this sign.
2005.003 Signals at Lafayette/Fulton
Traffic and pedestrian problems abound at this intersection, with aggressive drivers and heavy traffic. The FGA has sent a number of proposals to the DOT in hopes of improving the flow and safety of the intersection.
2005.005 Escalator announcements at One Hanson Place to B/Q Platform
The FGA has contacted the MTA to discover why the escalator at One Hanson Place is subjected to a continual loop of big brother announcements. Few other escalator banks in the subway system are subjected to such noise pollution, and we have asked the MTA to explain why this escalator has to be so much more unpleasant than others.
2005.007 Access-a-Ride Parking
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The FGA has asked the DOT to reconsider the location of the parking spot for Access-a-Ride vans on South Elliott at Hanson. This spot has taken two parking spaces from the neighborhood’s inventory, and is rarely used by Access-a-Ride vans.
2005.011 Missing crosswalks on DeKalb Avenue
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There are no crosswalks on DeKalb Avenue at either South Portland or South Elliott, creating a dangerous situation for pedestrians trying to reach either the park on the bus stop. The FGA has requested that DOT consider intalling traffic signals at these two intersections.
2005.013 Pedestrian Lights Lafayette & Flatbush
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We have requested that the DOT change the pedestrian light signal at this intersection so that the pedestrian light parallel with Flatbush linking the two triangles on the Southwest corner of the intersection remain green while drivers traveling Southeast on Flatbush have the green left-turn arrow.
2005.015 Alternate Side Parking on Commercial Streets
The FGA has requested that the DOT change the times for alternate side of the street parking regulations on the commercial streets where there are new parking meters. The current regulations are in the middle of the day for 90 minutes. Many other commercial strips in the city have 30 minute ASP regulations very early in the morning to limit the impact on businesses.
2005.016 No Standing Fowler Square
The FGA has requested that DOT change the NO PARKING designation on the north and east sides of Fowler Square to NO STANDING
2005.017 Drop No Stqanding on Fulton at South Elliot
The FGA has requested that DOT eliminate the NO STANDING 4PM-7PM designation on Fulton between Lafayette and South Elliott.
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-Transit Issues Resolved:
2005.014 Parking at Hanson & South Portland
2004.001 Curb cut at Cumberland and Fulton
2005.010 Street Painting on Lafayette at Rockland
2005.009 Wait for Green sign Atlantic & 3rd Avenue
2005.004 Speeding at Dekalb/Cumberland
2005.012 Missing one-way signs at Hanson & South Portland
2005.008 Missing Walk/Don’t Walk Sign
2005.002 South Portland Exit of G-train (under Moe’s)
2004.003 Pedestrian Lights at Myrtle & Washington Park
2005.001 Signals at Hanson/Fulton/Greene
2005.006 Construction Signage on Carlton near Greene
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-Following is the approved Brooklyn Truck Route Map. If you see unauthorized truck transit please report the date and time of the incidents to the FGA.
pdf of the Brooklyn Truck Route Map
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Traffic
The Fort Greene Association’s Traffic and Transport Committee is a sub committee of Quality of Life and Parks, dedicated to traffic and transit issues in the neighborhood. Because many in our neighborhood walk and bike to work, traffic issues are a primary concern for many residents, be it safer intersections for pedestrians, improved bike lanes for cyclists, or upgrades to the subway system. By representing the entire neighborhood, we can get persistent problems resolved faster.
The Committee relies on people in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill to bring issues to the Committee’s attention, and once investigated, the Committee will forward complaints and suggestions to the DOT and MTA. In order to foster dialogue, we encourage you to visit the committee’s website:
We are looking for volunteers to attend the monthly 84th, 88th Police Precints, and Community Board 2 Transit meetings and report back to the group. If you are able to help, please send us an email.
Email:[email protected]

March 2006 Newsletter

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