Public Life and Activity Zones Amendment (“PLAZA”) Act of 2023

This bill amends several existing laws to improve accessibility, prioritize non-car transportation, and enhance community spaces in Washington, D.C. It expands the Safe at Home Program to cover modifications that improve physical access to off-street parking spaces and requires the Department of Transportation to use metrics focused on pedestrians, cyclists, and transit rather than just car traffic when planning road projects. Additionally, the act creates a new program to close three specific corridors to personal vehicles for at least 24 hours per week, with a requirement that at least one of these zones be located in neighborhoods facing issues like high traffic violence or poor air quality. The legislation also streamlines the process for holding block parties by creating an expedited application system and establishes interim safety rules for autonomous vehicle testing until a formal permit process is available.