Sustainable Streets report is released following failure of congestion pricing proposed by mayor Oh, brave new city.

Our children and our children's children will see more bike lanes and double the number of people using them, fewer traffic fatalities and fewer delays in bus service. New public plazas will be built within the jurisdiction of every community board, and streets will be kept in better shape.

Those lofty goals are part of the city Department of Transportation's Sustainable Streets initiative, which was released yesterday by DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.

With the failure of congestion pricing, the plan spells out alternate ways to cut down on traffic citywide without relying on Albany for help.

"The vision laid out here will go a long way toward easing transportation conditions in our growing city, while also squarely addressing the environment, climate change and improving the city's quality of life," Ms. Sadik-Khan said.

The 68-page document includes a variety of broad plans ranging from mobility and infrastructure improvements to beautification.

More preventive maintenance will extend the useful lives of bridges and roadways, to get them in "good" condition by 2030. More asphalt will be recycled to cut down on costs and the use of petroleum products, and better maintenance at the Staten Island Ferry will extend service life of the boats.

Better signs will go up to warn truckers to steer clear of bridges and overpasses, to reduce repairs needed when trucks hit them.

A pilot program will charge more for curbside parking spaces, to increase turnover and cut back on drivers circling around waiting for a spot to open up. Also envisioned is a system that could provide real-time information about the availability of empty spots in municipal parking lots.

To speed up bus service, plans call for expanding the transit signal priority system, currently being tested on Victory Boulevard, which allows buses to interact with traffic lights. The city also plans to push for legislative approval to authorize cameras for enforcement purposes in bus-only lanes.

Some main boulevards will be slated for pedestrian-friendly makeovers, with improved sidewalks and streetscapes. Some streets also may be turned over to the exclusive use of bicyclists and pedestrians on weekends.

Fifteen more miles of protected on-street bike lanes will be added by 2010, and more bike parking facilities will be opened.

"A green approach to transportation can make a dramatic contribution to answering the challenges facing New York City and make us an example for the rest of the country," Ms. Sadik-Khan said.

Maura Yates covers transportation news for the Advance. She may be reached at myates@siadvance.com