Mayor Zohran Mamdani has introduced "Vision Zero Reimagined," a comprehensive strategy aimed at eradicating traffic fatalities in New York City over the next 10 years. The plan proposes expanding "pedestrian-only" zones across the city, alongside measures to disincentivize private car use.
The 104-page blueprint outlines a vision for transforming the city's streets to prioritize safety, though specific details regarding the scope and location of proposed car-free areas remain limited. The plan also calls for the implementation of 20 mph speed limits in neighborhoods and potentially higher tolls for larger passenger vehicles.
"The city will be providing disincentives to private automobile trips, ownership and on-street storage," the report states.
Among the more concrete initiatives detailed in the plan are the establishment of a "Super Speeder" program. This program would mandate speed-limiting devices for drivers who accumulate 16 or more speed camera tickets annually. Additionally, the plan aims to expand 15 mph speed limits in school zones, a goal that has seen partial implementation, with 200 of a promised 800 zones completed this year.
The initiative also includes plans for safety improvements at 1,000 intersections, focusing on measures such as removing visual obstructions and installing physical barriers. This effort seeks to build upon the original "Vision Zero" plan launched by former Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2014, which aimed to eliminate traffic deaths by 2024.
Advocacy groups, such as Transportation Alternatives, have previously called for an updated safety strategy. Mamdani's plan also proposes increased automated ticketing for violations including parking infractions, failure to yield, and distracted driving. The plan suggests mounting additional cameras on MTA buses to identify vehicles encroaching on bus lanes and bus stops. Furthermore, it includes provisions for subsidizing Citi Bike, a program owned by Lyft, a significant donor to Transportation Alternatives.