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SFMTA Streets director reports safety gains from speed cameras and Geary quick‑builds; Hayes Valley slow‑street closure draws public criticism
Summary
Streets Director Victoria Wise told the board speed cameras are reducing speeding and the Geary quick‑build cut collisions and improved bus travel times; public commenters criticized the uncoordinated handling of a multi‑year slow‑street closure on Hays Street in Hayes Valley.
The SFMTA Streets Division reported early safety wins from recent interventions including automated speed enforcement and quick‑build corridor projects, while residents and business groups pressed the agency about a separate slow‑street closure in Hayes Valley.
Speed camera and quick‑build findings
Streets Director Victoria Wise presented preliminary measurements showing large reductions in speeding where automated speed enforcement cameras began issuing citations in August. Wise said initial measurements at 15 of 33 camera locations showed a “72% average decrease in speeding vehicles,” which the agency estimated as roughly “20,000 fewer speeding vehicles per day.” She said the remaining camera locations will be measured in the coming weeks and the program will be monitored continuously.
Wise also highlighted the Geary Boulevard quick‑build evaluation: paint‑and‑sign improvements and targeted transit priority yielded bus travel time savings of 6–11% on the 38/38R lines, a one‑third reduction in traffic collisions in the corridor segment studied, and rider reports of improved reliability. The quick‑build approach, she said, allows the agency to test low‑cost changes and evaluate outcomes before investing in permanent infrastructure.
Other operations and revenue updates
The division reported efforts to reduce the 3‑1‑1 maintenance backlog and noted partnerships that leased underused parking garage spaces (for example, UCSF leasing at Jamboree and Fifth & Mission Garages). Wise said recent meter rate adjustments and enforcement changes produced year‑over‑year revenue increases and that off‑street and on‑street revenues are tracking with staff projections. She flagged that a bike‑share regional contract with Lyft expires in July 2027 and the city is working with MTC on next steps.
Hayes Valley slow‑street public criticism
Multiple public commenters pressed the board about the ongoing closure of the 400 block of Hays Street in Hayes Valley, saying small businesses moved or closed and that the agency’s process lacked timely outreach. Richard Johnson of Hayes Valley Small Business Association said the “silence has enabled a cycle of complacency where serious neighborhood impacts are downplayed or ignored entirely,” and asked for clearer decisionmaking and outreach. A follow‑up commenter from Connected SF said neighborhood groups had raised similar concerns about process and enforcement.
Agency response
Chair and staff thanked commenters and Director Kirschbaum indicated staff would connect with requesters; Wise noted multi‑department coordination is often required for street closures and that her division is working on process improvements for permit enforcement and better community engagement.
Why it matters: The Streets Division’s pilot results are early but significant for traffic safety policy, while local slow‑street disputes underline the political and community sensitivity of street‑use decisions.
Ending: Wise said the agency will continue monitoring camera and quick‑build outcomes and promised to return with further evaluation in future quarterly updates.
