The Issues:
In 2006 alone, the amount of vehicle miles traveled in the United States was 2.7 trillion.
New York City has the second highest levels of congestion in the nation, especially during rush hours. In addition, the city has both high levels of carbon emissions and wasted fuel energy from private transportation. Car emissions kill 30,000 people each year in the U.S and Traffic congestion wastes 3 billion gallons of gas a year.
(Environmental Defense Fund)
With New York City population already high, and only planning to increase over the next decade, congestion levels will also only get higher unless something is done about the level of private transportation being used. Billions of dollars are wasted on this issue annually, which will also only continue to increase. The money that is spent on wasted fuel is only one of the many threats that NYC traffic poses. Along with the rest of the world, NYC is attempting to move into being much greener. However, with more and more people buying cars, the high levels of carbon emissions will only increase, making the move to being more green almost impossible.
Proposals for a Greener NYC
Corporate Average Fuel Economy Program
One proven way to improve energy efficiency in the U.S. transportation sector is the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program. The program was established by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, and was one of the main forces behind a 35 percent increase in new vehicle (cars and light trucks) fuel economy between 1978 and 1985.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulates CAFE standards and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) measures vehicle fuel efficiency. US Congress specifies that CAFE standards must be set at the “maximum feasible level” given consideration for technological feasibility, economic practicality, effect of other standards on fuel economy, and the need of the nation to conserve energy. Without these improvements, the U.S. would be consuming an additional estimated 2.8 million barrels per day of gasoline. While the CAFE program is not without controversy, it clearly achieved its goal of saving petroleum even in times of low gasoline prices. These new standards could save the country about 3 million barrels per day and reduce oil consumption by nearly one-quarter. Benefits from this policy action are the most cost-effective step the U.S. could take to improve energy security and slash greenhouse gas emissions (World Resources).
PlanNYC
In addition, PlaNYC has many proposals on how to reduce congestion. The city plans to develop congestion management plans for outer borough growth corridors. As neighborhoods across the city grow, plans must be developed to target and diffuse congestion across the city.
These are the nine major corridors that experience road and transit congestion:
• Fordham Road (Bronx)
• White Plains Road (Bronx)
• Church Avenue (Brooklyn)
• Nostrand Avenue (Brooklyn)
• West 96th Street (Manhattan)
• West 181st Street (Manhattan)
• Northern Boulevard (Queens)
• Woodhaven Boulevard (Queens)
• Amboy Road (Staten Island)
PlaNYC proposes to undertake an intensive study of each area, evaluating traffic congestion, truck traffic, pedestrian mobility, transit service, and current and future land use potential. When each study is finished, customized plans that reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, provide a safer environment for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and improve quality of life are in the works. Actions under consideration will include new bus, pedestrian and bicycle enhancements, changes to the road design, modification to parking rules to free up curb space, and technological upgrades like computerized signaling systems to facilitate traffic flow.
PlaNYC also proposes to use pricing to manage traffic in the Central Business District (CBD). Vehicles trapped in traffic spew pollution into the air, putting the health of those living near congested roads at risk; and the resulting jams cost the region more than $13 billion dollars every year. As the New York City population grows by another 900,000 people, we add more than 20 million visitors annually, and 750,000 new jobs-many concentrated in the Central Business District (CBD) -the consequences of congestion will become ever more severe.
In every case where it has been implemented, congestion pricing has been successful at reducing traffic both within the “congestion zone” and outside it, speeding bus service, decreasing delivery times, improving air quality, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, with no material impact on the economy, including retail activity in the zone in which the charge applies.
PlaNYC proposes that passenger vehicles entering or leaving Manhattan below 86th Street during the business day (weekdays 6 am to 6 pm)-with the exception of the FDR Drive, the West Side Highway, and West Street-would pay an $8 daily fee. Trucks would pay $21. Autos that drive only within “the Zone” would pay half price. The charge would apply to all vehicles, except emergency vehicles, those with handicapped license plates, taxis, and for-hire vehicles (radio cars). Payment would involve no toll gates or waiting areas. The technological backbone of the system would be E-Z Pass.
The main benefit of congestion pricing would be reduced traffic congestion. Traffic within the Zone would decrease 6.3%. Speeds are projected to increase 7.2%. The impact would also be felt in the other boroughs, since the number of cars passing through other neighborhoods on their way to Manhattan will decline.
Electrical and Hybrid Vehicles
Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors and can be configured to obtain different objectives, such as improved fuel economy, increased power, or additional auxiliary power for electronic devices and power tools.
Hybrid vehicles powered by fossil fuels are much more efficient than today’s standard vehicle designs but still emit CO2. In this sense, they are not a long-term solution. Battery-powered vehicles are actively being developed by several automakers, and a small number are currently in use. With advances in technology that increase this range and reduce battery costs, plug-in hybrid vehicles are likely to become more common.
Conclusion
According to the 2000 United States Census, New York City remains the only city in the United States in which a majority of households do not own an automobile.
U.S. Census 2000 % of households that do not own or lease a motor vehicle:
Although, as a city, we are doing pretty well, we are still a major contributor to global carbon emissions and wasted fuel energy. Therefore, we need to take steps to making our transportation system much better. PlaNYC proposes to deal with the congestion problems that the city faces. The CAFE program and the invention of hybrid and energy-efficient cars are two more ways that carbon emissions can be reduced. In addition, the switch to public transportation, cycling and/or walking are ways that we can become more fuel efficient.
Sources:
http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/inrix/42250/
http://www.nyc.gov/html/planyc2030/html/plan/transportation.shtml
http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=19899
http://www.wri.org/publication/content/10333
http://www.nyc.gov/html/planyc2030/html/plan/transportation_address-congested.shtml
http://www.nyc.gov/html/planyc2030/html/plan/transportation_congestion-pricing.shtml
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybridtech.shtml
http://www.wri.org/publication/content/8468
