Traffic Congestion

Traffic Congestion

2006

Memorandum

To : Mayor Michael Bloomberg

CC : New York City Council

Port Authority of New York New Jersey

From : Policy Advisor

Date : DATE \ MERGEFORMAT 11 /22 /2006

Re : New York City Traffic Congestion Alleviation

As traffic congestion grows within New York City , it is necessary to implement a number of measures in to contain the ill affects of immense congestion , including lost time at work and home , road rage increased air pollution and long-term effects leading to global warming In many locations , when congestion

threatens to become as large a problem as it is in New York City , the solutions implemented include highway widening and the creation of new roadway systems . Because New York City is located in a closed-in area that is already largely developed , those solutions are not only impractical but largely impossible . Therefore , the solutions that will most impact the future of traffic congestion in New York City must revolve primarily around traffic metering and implementing practices to discourage certain traffic practices including driving alone in vehicles rather than car-pooling or utilizing public transportation

A vast majority of residents in New York City rely heavily upon mass transportation . Many , in fact , do not own their own vehicles Therefore , a majority of the traffic congestion that plagues the City is caused by residents of Pennsylvania , New Jersey , Connecticut and portions of New York State outside of New York City that commute daily to work and other activities within the five boroughs . Many bridge and tunnel crossings into New York City already employ tolls as a way to benefit from the high degree of traffic that employs those routes . Some crossings , in fact , already differentiate tolls by peak and non-peak hours . It is my advice , based upon current research , that efforts begin to institute tolling on all crossings into New York City . To do so will influence some drivers to consider car-pooling while increasing revenues

In to influence drivers even more greatly towards carpooling several forms of premiums and incentives should be instituted in to create a system of rewards . First , mass transportation opportunities between New York City and the areas of New Jersey , New York and Connecticut that surround the city , should reduce fares by 15 . This will incentivize a greater number of travelers to choose mass transit At the same time , during peak hours , tolls on crossings into New York City should not just increase by the minimal percentage currently in effect at some crossings but exponentially . For those travelers who choose to carpool , tolls during peak hours should increase twofold . For those who choose to travel alone , tolls during peak hours should increase threefold . The loss of revenue due to mass transit reduced fares will be offset by those travelers who choose to pay the higher tolls

You will face opposition as you look to implement these measures in to positively impact traffic congestion in New York City especially by the Metropolitan Parking Authority , who will suffer losses in...