NYCHA’s Contribution to “Vision Zero”

2020 was a year like no other in recent memory, requiring commuters, pedestrians, and bicyclists to social distance in the more open streets as part of efforts to avoid the spread of COVID-19. While these measures have helped to save lives, the number of pedestrian-related accidents has risen with the increase in street traffic. Approximately 3,000 traffic collisions injure New York City pedestrians every year, while another 200 have fatal outcomes. And being struck by a vehicle is the leading cause of injury-related death for children under 14, and the second leading cause for seniors.

In 2014, Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled a “Vision Zero” campaign with several key components that have reduced the number of fatalities across the city. Among them are the speed camera program near schools which forced drivers to slow down in places where children may be present, enhanced training for MTA bus and City fleet drivers, and an innovative reworking of street and traffic patterns to maximize safe foot-travel.

When the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) decided to lend its support to the Vision Zero initiative in 2015, it hired two contractors to outfit fleets of large City vehicles, like sanitation trucks, with side guards to prevent bicycles and small cars from sliding under larger trucks.

“NYCHA had no hesitation becoming part of the DCAS sideguard program, and was more than eager to make all our vehicles that were eligible as safe as possible,” said Joseph LaMarca, Director of NYCHA’s General Services Department.

In December 2020, NYCHA completed the installation of side guards on all 50 of its trucks, marking a new chapter in the safety of New York City travel.

The results of Vision Zero speak for themselves: traffic deaths in New York City have fallen by a third since the year before the initiative was launched (bucking the nationwide trend toward increased fatalities), and both bicyclists and pedestrians report safer, less intimidating travel.

Photo caption: An example of a sideguard on a NYCHA truck.