In response to community concerns following a string of car accidents on Underhill Avenue between Park and Prospect Places (the most recent one from December 2012 is pictured above), the New York City Department of Transportation has investigated ways to adjust the signal timing to promote slower speeds and plans to implement the following no later than March of this year:

• DOT will reduce the southbound signal progression from 30 MPH to 20 MPH. Because volumes are heavier in the southbound direction at all times of day, there exists now a progression favoring southbound traffic. By changing the timing (offsets) the progression will be timed for speeds of 20 MPH. While this will not absolutely prevent speeds greater than 20 MPH, as vehicles entering Underhill Avenue during the green phase can attain higher speeds, DOT says it's had success lowering average vehicle speeds with this strategy in other corridors, such as 8th Avenue in Park Slope.
• DOT will provide an even split of the 60 second signal cycle between Underhill Avenue and its cross streets. Currently Underhill Avenue gets more green time than the cross streets. This provides less overall green time for Underhill Avenue so may have some calming effect, and it also provides more time for pedestrians crossing Underhill Avenue.