I went to my first Community Board meeting. I am officially a local blogger! And what an interesting meeting it was!

The Department of Transportation (DOT) which has been addressing traffic calming issues for Prospect Park West for many years, presented a new plan to change Prospect Park West from three moving lanes to two moving lanes and to add a two-way bike lane, which they hope will really reduce traffic speeds and increase safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

Prospect Park West, which is 49 feet wide and sees approximately 1000 cars per hour (plus buses), does not require three lanes. It is their analysis that the extra space encourages speeding and bad driving because people are not as cautious when there is extra room. Additionally, there is no lane for bike riding and cyclists tend to ride on the sidewalk, which is a problem for pedestrians and results in tickets for the cyclists.

The DOT believes that the 1000 or so vehicles per hour could be accommodated in two moving lanes and that it would help reduce speeding. According to their studies, over 70% of the cars are speeding on PPW. The speed limit is currently 25 MPH. Between 2005-2007, there were 58 reported crashes and, thankfully, 0 fatalities.

Here's what the DOT is planning for PPW:

–Two moving lanes for vehicles.

–A  "protected" two-way bike lane next to the sidewalk

–Vehicle parking paces next to the traffic on the park side designated by paint stripes.

–Some kind of pedestrian "refuges" near crossing areas

–Warning signs for pedestrians about bike lanes and new signage for vehicles.

According to the DOT this plan brings PPW closer to the goal of "Complete Streets" which they define as streets, which accommodate every user: cyclists, pedestrians, autos and buses. The DOT has done something like this on 9th Avenue in Manhattan it is has been very successful in reducing speed and accommodating pedestrians and cyclists.

There was a mix of comments and concerns from members of the Community Board and members of the public, who attended the meeting. One man, who lives on 10th Street felt that the elimination of a third moving lane would be "a nightmare during peak usage time" when there are school buses and cars dropping off and double parking for school in the morning, little league baseball and Celebrate Brooklyn.

The project manager responded that the DOT would look to the community to locate high volume drop off areas on PPW.

Someone else wondered what would separate the bike lane from the parking lane. A DOT representative said that it would be just be paint stripes and added that this has been effective on Ninth Avenue because if someone parks in the bike lane there is a $115. fine.

There was also the concern that bike traffic going north would not be able to see traffic lights which are south-facing. It was suggested that additional traffic signals for northbound bike traffic be installed.

Someone asked if two vehicle lanes would be sufficient for Fire Department and other emergencies. A DOT representative said that the FDNY is always shown their plans and they make changes as necessary based on their assessment on access and safety.

Eric McClure of Park Slope Neighbors asked if they had looked at the possibility of a two-way PPW and two-way  8th Avenue, a measure that is supported by Park Slope Neighbors. The DOT representative responded that it wouldn't address traffic calming and it would complicate traffic issues at Grand Army Plaza if another "input" was added.

At the end of the meeting, the Community Board enthusiastically voted to approve the DOT's plan with the added suggestions that they add:

1. Additional traffic signals for north-bound bike traffic

2. Analyze high volume ares and make accommodations for drop off vehicles.

On the third Thursday of every month, the Transportation Committee of CB6 "routinely reviews any projects, studies
programs and services related to the use and condition of our local
streets, sidewalks and highways, including infrastructure projects
affecting the roadway subsurface.  The committee concerns itself with
matters pertaining to improving transportation safety, access,
circulation and mobility for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.
Additionally, the committee regularly reviews intermodal transportation
issues including public transportation systems (rapid and surface), the
use of the airspace over the district, and maritime-based traffic."

The CB6 meetings are always open to the community.