From Streetfilms.org:
Here is a great example for how winter snow-"removal" can help slowing down traffic in a productive way.   Check out the latest Streetfilms, about how left over snowbanks create a 'temporary neckdown' at certain intersections in New York City. 

Snowy Neckdowns Redux: Winter Traffic Calming

by Clarence Eckerson, Jr. on February 5, 2011 | 799 Plays

As you may recall, many years ago I shot a Streetfilm taking about what winter weather can teach us.  In many ways the snow acts like tracing paper on our streets and records road user movements: at each intersection where the snow ends up piled can teach us a lot about where people drive and chose to walk.  It's a great experiment that costs no money and anyone can play traffic engineer. If you ever want safer streets around your block get out and take some photos next time it snows, it can bolster your arguments before a nay-saying community board (orpolitician) whether you are in New York City or Iowa.

With it having been over a week since we had our last big snowfall, I had been noticing some of the most dramatic examples of neckdowns & curb extensions made out of the fluffy white stuff - now hard as concrete - which brought a real sense of calm to crossing some streets in Jackson Heights, Queens.  And predicted, drivers don't seem to be having any problems with them, just taking the turns a bit more slowly and carefully as they should 365 days of the year. I've seen delivery vehicles, garbage trucks, EMS, and buses all have little problem navigating them (although admittedly did not observe any firetrucks.)

Of course, you can also check out how chicanes naturally occur.

UPDATE!

Also, just published, the East Side Action Plan by Transportation Alternatives -- a report about workshops all along Manhattans East Side to create more bicycle and pedestrian friendly and hence safer streets. Check out the whole PDF here.