Speeding Traffic Poses Unacceptable Hazard to Ever Increasing Number of Park Users

To Protect Park Users, Rally and March on October 24 at 4:45PM to Ask the Mayor for a Three-Month Trial Closure of the Loop Drive in Summer 2006

Key Finding: Avg. Speed: 36.7 mph, More Than 10 mph Above Posted Speed Limit.

Transportation Alternatives measured speeds on the Central Park Loop Drive to gather empirical data on what appeared to most park users as rampant morning commute speeding.

Says Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives, "Clearly, police enforcement is not working to protect the increasing number of park users from dangerous traffic. The city should test the viability of making the loop drive traffic-free by instituting a trial ban during the summer of 2006."

Using a Stalker Radar Gun researchers clocked vehicles traveling in the western most lane of the West Drive at the W88:02 sign post. This location is about 250 feet after a 25mph speed limit sign. On three separate September mornings (9/2, 9/8 and 9/15) a total of 694 cars were clocked; only one was traveling at or below the posted 25mph speed limit.

The average speed was 36.67mph.
The median speed was 37mph.
The mode was 36 mph.
Only 34.44% traveled at or below 35mph while 65.42% traveled 36mph or above.
0.14% traveled at or below the posted speed limit.
3.03% traveled between 26mph and 30mph.
22.34% traveled between 31mph and 35mph.
31.41% traveled between 36mph and 40mph.
10.66% traveled between 41mph and 45mph.
.86% traveled above 45mph.

On September 2nd, 188 cars were recorded between 7:33am and 8:33am.
On September 8th, 244 cars were recorded between 8am and 8:45am.
On September 15th, 262 cars were recorded between 7:51am and 8:50am.
For a copy of the raw data and/or in depth analysis contact Transportation Alternatives.