Q: When will CDTA join the 21st century and add dedicated E-ZPass lanes at the Rensselaer Amtrak Station parking lot, similar to what is at the Albany International Airport? The wait to use manned booths to pay, particularly when a busy train empties out, can get quite long and time consuming.
A: The Capital District Transportation Authority is in the process of installing technology upgrades to the existing parking system along with new gates, automated ticket dispensers and other hardware enhancements, according to Jaime Kazlo, director of corporate communications.
These improvements “will allow for an improved user experience, secure payment controls and seamless updates over the years,” Kazlo said.
CDTA is also considering ticketless payment options, including E-ZPass, to further lower wait times, she added.
Pedestrian accessibility improvements, Troy: The Capital District Transportation Committee and the city of Troy are working with LaBella Associates to evaluate the accessibility of pedestrian infrastructure on the city’s streets.
LaBella staff will walk all 140-plus miles of sidewalks in Troy to evaluate the current state of curb ramps, sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, pedestrian-accessible transit stops and paved multi-use trails. The project will result in a city-wide dataset of basic accessibility condition information and a transition plan to bring pedestrian infrastructure into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The public will have opportunities to comment on the transition plan and shape the project’s priorities (for example, areas near schools or libraries). A draft plan will be made available on Troy’s city website for review and comment. Contact Steven Strichman, Troy’s commissioner of planning and economic development, at 518-279-7166 for updates on the project as it progresses.
The work, which began the first week of May, is set to finish later this year.
Motorcycle safety: May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, because of the increased presence of motorcycles on the roads during warmer weather. Fatal motorcycle crashes in New York increased 52 percent in 2021 to 201 accidents, according to the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research. There were 132 fatal crashes reported in 2019.
To prevent motorcycle-related fatalities, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Commission has the following recommendations: Motorcyclists should always wear a Department of Transportation-approved helmet and eye protection. Novelty helmets are illegal on New York roads. Additionally, motorcyclists should wear riding gear, including over-the-ankle boots, finger gloves with padding and jackets and pants with protection at impact points to protect themselves during a fall. Be particularly cautious during left turns; this is when most crashes between cars and motorcycles occur.
Car drivers should allow a greater following distance behind motorcyclists, who may not break when slowing down. It can be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed and distance because of its smaller size, so assume it’s closer than it appears, and be aware that motorcycles can easily disappear in blind spots.
Have a question about transportation in the Capital Region? Email [email protected] and include your name, town and phone number or tweet @abigail_rubel.