On Thursday, September 28, 2017, the Center for New York City Law at New York Law School hosted the 145th CityLaw Breakfast. The event speaker was New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.
Commissioner Trottenberg was introduced by Professor Sandler, the Director of the Center for City Law, and Anthony Crowell, Dean and President of New York Law School. When introducing Commissioner Trottenberg, Professor Sandler acknowledged the great amount of experience she has brought to the position.
Commissioner Trottenberg spoke of how the Department of Transportation is working to accommodate the “incredible boom” of workers, tourists, and residents using the City’s public transport. The Commissioner stated that “traffic is a sign of economic prosperity.” The Department is working to accommodate this growth, while also improving safety measures. When asked what her greatest achievement as Commissioner has been, Trottenberg praised the Department’s effort to make the streets safer through Vision Zero.
Commissioner Trottenberg noted the agency partnerships–between Transportation, the NYPD, the Department of Health, the Taxi and Limousine Commission, and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services–that have been crucial to the success of Vision Zero. Trottenberg also noted the legislative successes the agency has had for speed cameras in school zones, citywide speed limits, and pedestrian right of way. With safety remaining the top priority, the Department is now focusing efforts on expanding travel options.
The Department’s goal is to get as many people as possible using public transport through buses, trains, and bikes. The Department’s Select Bus Service, an “express” bus option, has had success and now accounts for 10% of the City’s bus rides. The Bike Sharing programs has also been successful–the Department is working to expand the program and designate more streets that can be converted into bike lanes. The Department is also working on accessibility to transport for those with disabilities by improving street signals and ramps. Lastly, Trottenberg urged for the adoption of Design-Build Legislation on the City level, as it has been successful at the State level for maximizing the efficiency of construction and tax spending.
During the question and answer session, Commissioner Trottenberg was asked a lot about the enforcement of transportation regulations. Commissioner Trottenberg spoke of the Department’s efforts to reconcile increasing street safety with fair enforcement of laws. Safety is a top priority for the Department. The Department is collaborating with many agencies and contractors to collect data, and is using advanced technology to expand transport options.
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