NYC Vision Zero Task Force Awards Researchers the Inaugural Vision Zero Research Award for Excellence in Traffic Safety Research

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2024
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NYC Vision Zero Task Force Awards Researchers the Inaugural Vision Zero Research Award for Excellence in Traffic Safety Research

Researchers are recognized for quality research that advances understanding of road safety challenges

Studies applicable and actionable to New York City and municipal road safety

NEW YORK - New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, in collaboration with the NYC Vision Zero Task Force, today announced the winner of an inaugural Vision Zero Research Award at the seventh convening of Research on the Road, a Vision Zero Taskforce-led conference. This non-monetary award from New York City's Vision Zero Task Force honors researchers who study ways to improve road safety and advance the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries on city streets. The winning submissions aligned with New York City's road safety priorities, offered actionable insights for city agencies to improve road safety, employed sound research methods, and clearly outlined their limitations.

"In the City of New York, we recognize that deaths and serious injuries in traffic are not inevitable 'accidents,' but preventable crashes that can be ended through engineering, enforcement, and education," said NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "By focusing on data-driven solutions, we can continue making our streets safer for everyone. Congratulations to the researchers from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, as well as the Honorable Mention recipients, for their critical contributions to advancing this goal."

The Vision Zero Research Award is being presented to the research team from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health for their study titled, "Physical environmental roadway interventions and injury and death for vulnerable road users: a natural experiment in New York City." Researchers Leah E. Roberts, Brady Bushover, Christina A. Mehranbod, Ariana N. Gobaud, Carolyn Fish, Evan L. Eschliman, Xiang Gao, Siddhesh Zadey, and Christopher N. Morrison authored the winning submission.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of three physical roadway interventions-enhanced crossings, speed humps, and turn traffic calming-in reducing crashes that result in pedestrian and cyclist injuries or fatalities in New York City. The findings suggest that turn traffic calming can significantly lower crash risks for pedestrians. Municipalities are encouraged to prioritize this intervention, particularly at turns near long street segments, as a cost-effective measure with a significant public health impact.

The City of New York commends the research team for their vital work, which provides valuable insights into the impact of road design interventions in the city. The City also extends Honorable Mention awards to two teams for their outstanding research.

Kristin Mammen, Hyoung Suk Shim, and Bryan S. Weber, of CUNY's College of Staten Island, are recognized for their research titled, "Vision Zero: Speed Limit Reduction and Traffic Injury Prevention in New York City." Their research reveals important insights about the effects of speed limit reduction in New York City.

Kacie Dragan and Sherry Glied, formerly and currently of New York University, are recognized for their research titled, "Major Traffic Safety Reform and Road Traffic Injuries Among Low-Income New York Residents, 2009-2021." This research describes important insights about the effects of Vision Zero among low-income New York City residents compared to low-income residents in nearby jurisdictions.

The Vision Zero Task Force also thanked selection committee members from academic institutions who, alongside Vision Zero city agency staff and analysts, read and evaluated dozens of submissions for this award:

• Dr. Xueqing (Summer) Huang, Department of Computer Sciences, New York Institute of Technology
• Heidi E. Jones PhD, MPH, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, CUNY School of Public Health
• Jennifer M. Norton, PhD, Department of Population Health, NYU Langone Health
• Matthew Volovski, PhD, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Manhattan University