The City’s Department of Transportation is taking many steps to enhance street efficiency. To remain a great global center, it’s vital for New York to improve its freight systems. Demand for the City’s streets has grown dramatically and that impairs freight efficiency. Freight trips are rising steadily as on-line shopping grows. The number of deliveries to residences is up 30 percent in just five years. Trucks frequently double park because curbside loading zones are filled.
Expanded bus, bike and pedestrian facilities have mostly been put in place without reducing overall lane capacity. Between 2010 and 2015, the city added 370,000 new residents and 520,000 jobs. Since 2000, tourism has surged 61% to 58 million visitors. Construction is booming, with a record 56,000 new housing units approved in 2015. A smarter planning and logistics system that avoids unnecessary and costly travel is needed. Improved efficiency is essential to enable better mobility by people and freight while improving livability and environmental quality. No single strategy can do this.
The Department of Transportation would like to hear from residents and business operators as they develop a citywide strategy to meet their needs for truck deliveries while also meeting their sustainability goals.
Join the DOT at the first series of workshops, starting at 55 Water Street in Lower Manhattan on May 11, 2017.
RSVP: Freightplan@dot.nyc.gov