Stamford Mayor David Martin announced last week that the City has chosen Joshua W. Benson to be the city’s first Bureau Chief of Transportation, Traffic and Parking. Although the appointment will require approval by Stamford’s Board of Representatives, the selection of Benson is a telling sign that Stamford is serious about addressing the challenges presented by its streets.

Benson, who currently serves as the New York City Department of Transportation’s Assistant Commissioner for Street Improvement Projects, has been a part of the agency for the past 15 years. Benson was there throughout the tenure of former DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, during which the city visibly transformed and became safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

This year, Stamford became the fastest growing city in Connecticut, with an influx of young adults ages 20 to 35 who make up a quarter of the city’s population (compared to 19 percent statewide). Meanwhile, over the past year, the city has taken efforts to become more pedestrian- and bike-friendly, adopting a Complete Streets ordinance and launching Mayor Martin’s Stamford Street Smart Initiative.

But Stamford has more to do if it wants to continue to attract residents and grow its economy. Between 2010 and 2012, Stamford had the highest per capita pedestrian crash rate in Fairfield County, and in 2014, three pedestrians were killed within a four-month period. With Benson’s track record in New York City, there’s little doubt he’ll be able to lead Stamford away from its car-dominated present to a more multi-modal future.