‘Smart Curbs’ program to optimize curb space on the Upper West Side
Images courtesy of NYC DOT
The streets of the Upper West Side will soon better suit community needs as part of a new initiative by the Department of Transportation. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Monday announced the launch of the agency’s “Smart Curbs” pilot program on the Upper West Side, which will modernize the streets by adding neighborhood loading zones, bike corrals, and other amenities and policies to create cleaner, more vibrant, and less congested public spaces from West 86th to West 72nd Streets, between Broadway and Central Park West.
Across the five boroughs, the demand for more curb space is increasing. In September 2023, the DOT launched the Smart Curbs initiative and the broader Curb Management Action Plan to address these needs, ensuring that city streets can better serve their communities and adapt to future demands.
As part of the program’s first phase, DOT will remove Columbus Avenue’s rush hour regulation, which bans all parking on the west side of the corridor between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. The phase will also install new truck and passenger vehicle loading zones, bike corrals, and more space for pedestrians.
On Columbus Avenue, existing metered spaces will be designated for commercial vehicles during the day, while remaining available for passenger parking in the evening. These meters will also allow for three hours of passenger parking compared to the current two. The first phase of implementation will continue through the end of the year.
The second phase of the program will include the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and local delivery hubs, known as “microhubs.” Additionally, the DOT will work with the Transit Tech Lab to pilot new curb activity sensors and bus passenger information screens, with implementation expected in 2025.
“New York is on the cutting edge of rethinking the curb, one of cities’ most valuable assets. Everyone wants a piece of our precious sidewalk and curb lane,” NYC Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi said. “With the Smart Curbs program, we are prioritizing uses based on community needs, not just first-come-first-serve.”
“From extending the sidewalk for safety to strategically carving out spaces for diverse uses like organized loading and unloading, EV charging and more, we are making walking down the street a vibrant, rather than confusing, experience.”
DOT is looking at additional neighborhoods for future expansions of the program.
Curb improvements in the first phase include:
Street Seat
DOT is collaborating with the Columbus Avenue BID on a new “Street Seat”—public space with seating and planters—in the curb lane on the west side of Columbus Avenue between West 72nd and 73rd Streets.
New Bike Parking Corrals
DOT is installing 30 new bike racks—adding 60 additional bike parking spaces—in the curb lane near to remove bikes from sidewalks, improve visibility at intersections, and shorten pedestrian crossings.
The racks will be located at:
- Amsterdam Avenue between West 74th and 75th Streets, east side
- Amsterdam Avenue between West 80th and 81st Streets, west side
- West 83rd Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue, north side
- Columbus Avenue between West 77th and 78th Streets, west side
- West 83rd Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Central Park West, south side
New Truck Loading Zones
Truck loading zones will be restricted to commercial vehicles actively loading and unloading during daytime hours. Passenger-metered parking will be allowed in the evening, with free parking overnight.
The truck loading zones will be located at:
- Broadway between West 83rd and 84th Streets, east side
- Amsterdam Avenue between West 77th and 78th Streets, west side
- Amsterdam Avenue between West 76th and 77th Streets, east side
- Amsterdam Avenue between West 72nd and 73rd Streets, east side
- West 79th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, north side
- West 79th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, south side
New Neighborhood Loading Zones
Neighborhood loading zones will be restricted to passenger and commercial vehicles actively loading and unloading, including taxi and car service pick-up and drop-off, during daytime hours. Free parking will be allowed evenings and overnight.
The neighborhood loading zones will be located at:
- West 86th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, north side
- West 86th Street mid-block between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue, south side
- West 85th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue, south side
- West 83rd Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, south side
- West 83rd Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue, south side
- West 82nd Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue, north side
- West 81st Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, south side
- West 81st Street mid-block between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West, north side
- West 80th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue, north side
- West 78th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue, north side
- West 76th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue, south side
- West 75th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue, north side
- West 75th Street mid-block between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West, north side
- West 74th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue, south side
- West 73rd Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue, north side
- Central Park West between West 84th and 85th Streets, west side
- Central Park West between West 82nd and 83rd Streets, west side
- Central Park West between West 81st and 82nd Streets, west side
- Central Park West between West 75th and 76th Streets, west side
- Central Park West between West 74th and 75th Streets, west side
- Central Park West between West 72nd and 73rd Streets, west side
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