Installation of On-Demand Pedestrian Crosswalk at NYS Route 9W and High Avenue

Who is impacted?
Pedestrians—including residents and hotel guests—risk their safety crossing 9W at High Ave. Drivers don’t expect foot traffic, and there’s no signal to protect people on foot.

What is at stake?
Without action, someone will get hurt. A simple, push-button crosswalk would stop traffic only when needed and prevent a serious accident.

Why is now the time to act?
This is a clear, fixable safety risk. Install the signal before someone pays the price for inaction.

Read the official letter below:

Petition Letter: Installation of On-Demand Pedestrian Crosswalk at NYS Route 9W and High Avenue
To:

·       Village of Nyack Board of Trustees

·       Rockland County Department of Transportation

·       New York State Department of Transportation (Region 8)

·       New York State Senator, Bill Weber ( R, C ) - 38th Senate District

·       New York State Assemblyman, Patrick J. Carroll - 96th Assembly District

From:
Matthew Arthur Simon Schwartz
292 High Avenue

Nyack, NY 10960

Date: Monday, June 26, 2025

Subject: Request for Installation of On-Demand Pedestrian Crosswalk at NYS Route 9W and High Avenue, Nyack, NY

Purpose & Problem
I am writing to formally request the installation of an on-demand pedestrian crosswalk system at the intersection of New York State Route 9W and High Avenue in the Village of Nyack. This crossing presents a clear safety risk to pedestrians due to its location and traffic conditions.

The intersection is situated at the transition between a residential and commercial village environment and a state highway corridor. Drivers entering this zone often exhibit “highway mentality” — maintaining speeds and behaviors typical of open-road driving. As a result, they are less attuned to the possibility of pedestrians attempting to cross, and currently, no traffic control or signaling exists to prompt awareness.

This puts residents, visitors, and hotel guests — many of whom arrive without a vehicle — at elevated risk when attempting to cross 9W on foot.

Proposed Solution
I propose that the Village, County, and State coordinate to install a pedestrian-activated signalized crosswalk (also known as a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon or pedestrian Hybrid Beacon system) at this location. The design should include:
- Push buttons on all four corners
- Signal indicators that halt traffic in all directions only when activated
- Clear pedestrian signage and pavement markings

This system would allow for pedestrian crossing only when needed, minimizing traffic disruption while addressing a clear safety gap.

Justifications
1. Pedestrian Safety Risk
- Current conditions require pedestrians to cross a multi-lane highway-like road without any protection.
- Drivers accelerating into or out of Nyack often do not yield, and visibility is limited due to curves and elevation changes near the intersection.

2. Hotel and Visitor Traffic
- The Nyack Hotel is located nearby, contributing to foot traffic from visitors unfamiliar with local conditions.
- Hotel guests are particularly vulnerable, often arriving on foot or using public transportation or rideshare services.

3. Lack of Alternative Crossings
- There are no nearby signalized pedestrian crossings to serve this stretch of 9W.
- Requiring pedestrians to walk multiple blocks out of their way is unreasonable and unsafe.

4. Low Disruption to Traffic Flow
- An on-demand system ensures that vehicular traffic will only be interrupted when pedestrians are actually present.
- This preserves the efficiency of Route 9W as a major corridor.

5. Alignment with State & County Pedestrian Safety Goals
- New York State’s “Pedestrian Safety Action Plan” (PSAP) prioritizes infrastructure improvements at unsignalized crossings and locations with a history of pedestrian risk.

Request for Support
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this proposal further. I believe the nearby hotel and other businesses may also be willing to voice support, as improved pedestrian safety benefits tourism, customer experience, and overall accessibility.

Please advise what formal process, public meetings, or additional documentation may be required to advance this request through the appropriate channels.

Sincerely,

Matthew Arthur Simon Schwartz
292 High Ave

Nyack, NY 10960