nymtc regional freight plan - New York Metropolitan Transportation ...

A Freight Plan for the NYMTC Region
Transportation Impacts
Expanding the interstate truck network could significantly benefit the corridors that serve
major freight facilities and movement, such as the Northern Crossing, Southern Crossing,
Eastern (I-278 and I-678) corridors. Assigning interstate standard truck routes to key
freight generators in New York City such as JFK Airport, Hunts Point Market, and the
Brooklyn Waterfront could shift goods movement in high-volume corridors from many
small trucks to fewer, larger, more efficient trucks. This would reduce the number of
truck trips generated by these key regional facilities.
Other Impacts
Expanding the interstate truck network likely is to have positive environmental and economic
benefits, although such expansion could face physical and institutional barriers to
the extent that large truck traffic is introduced onto roadways where it currently is
restricted. Given adequate roadway geometries, however, the reduction in truck trips
could offset the presence of larger trucks and yield benefits to the surrounding communities.
The project has potentially major benefits to regional connectivity by providing
higher capacity connections to major regional freight facilities. The project does not
directly involve the introduction of new technology.
Responsible Organizations/Action Plan
NYMTC, NYSDOT, NYCDOT, and PANYNJ – Initiate a regional feasibility study through
NYMTC’s Unified Work Program (UPWP).
5.1.2 Strategy 1.B – Improve the Management of Commercial Vehicle
Loading and Unloading Zones
Action 1 – Expand NYCDOT’s Commercial Vehicle Parking Program
Description
A pilot commercial vehicle parking program has been implemented by the NYCDOT for
Midtown Manhattan to help alleviate traffic congestion caused by double-parked commercial
vehicles and vehicles using loading zones as long-term parking spaces. As shown
in Figure 5.2, the program originally covered selected streets between 43 rd and 59 th , and
between Fifth and Seventh Avenues, and has since been expanded to provide coverage
from Second to Ninth Avenues. Single-space parking meters were removed and replaced
with ticket-dispensing muni-meters to provide a commercial vehicle loading zone during
the busiest hours of the day. Between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, the
curb spaces are designated for commercial vehicle use only, with parking rates of $2.00,
$5.00, and 9.00 for one, two, and three hours, respectively. In addition, evening and
weekend parking rates have been increased from $1.00 to $2.00 per hour in this designated
area. Payment can be made by using either quarters, dollar coins, or the NYC Parking
Card – a pre-paid debit card.
Cambridge Systematics, Inc. 5-11