In January 5, 2025, after decades of comprehensive legislation and legal procedures, New York City became the first local government to embody congestion in the United States. Ideas first proposed by Columbia University Economist William Big Brie. Many New York residents could not come soon. New York has been synonymous with traffic since the last century, as you can see in the first movie in NYC. Short clip of the Herald Square It was made Edison Studio In 1896, Gridlock grew since EDISON. In 2023, 335 million vehicles were recorded. I crossed the legs and tunnels of New York City.
Annual paid vehicle intersection of MTA Bridge and Tunnel, 1936-2023
The finally implemented plan was gentle compared to the previous proposal, and a passenger car, which includes the “CRZ” (or “CRZ”), which includes the “congestion relief zone” (or most of Manhattan under 60th Street), pays up to $ 9 to the peak time. afternoon. The driver can still access 6,300 miles of distance and highway, which is a small incentive that considers alternative public transportation, such as New York’s world -class subway system.
NYC’s stagnant price program has been only a few weeks, but initial data is promising It has been found to be popular. The following are some of the potential benefits that New Yorkers and visitors have long been waiting for in the city in the next few months.
Reduction of traffic, improvement of travel time and better public transportation
Dutch tunnel commuting time, Monday
In a month after the stagnation began, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Bureau (MTA) 1 million cars entered the most congested area in Manhattan.. This reduction led to an improvement of travel time of 10% to 30% in all Hudson and East River crossing and a faster and more reliable bus service. STRAPHANGERS was also noted, while during this period, the Weekend Express Bus Service RidgeererShip increased by more than 20%, while the subway passengers increased 7.3% over the weekdays, and continued to rise to the fall of 2024.
Better apology
The subway has been a life of New York City for more than a century. However, to run one of the oldest subway systems in the world, it requires continuous maintenance, and the station needs to be improved by decades of stations that can access the ADA. The congestion price is set for the MTA to fund $ 15 billion. Improvement of capital of vast systemsIncluding 250 electric buses and continuing the Second Avenue subway line.
Slide Show: New York City Subway 120
In addition to nuts and bolts, congestion prices can open the way to get the streets of New York City again. Reducing vehicle traffic can ensure valuable space and resources to develop more sustainable and community -oriented urban design. Transformation to Pedestrian Square in Time Square A good example. The 2017 re -design, which was congested with traffic, converted Broadway’s sections to areas without permanent cars, adding 110,000 square feet pedestrian space. This change not only improves safety, but also provides more space for seating, art installation and cultural events. Today, Time Square is a popular and dynamic meeting place, and the project is considered a model for the smart city design to better define the city space.
Reducing congestion can reduce commute time and improve the overall efficiency of the transportation network to increase economic productivity. In short, business is more efficient when drivers and goods move fast and stably. Even the city itself can save money. If traffic decreases, the wear of the New York infrastructure decreases, reducing long -term costs. Nearly 23% of the 2025 budget of NYC Transportation It is assigned to road repair, maintenance and inspection.
Advantages of environment and health
Researchers have yet to have enough data to measure the impact of congestion prices on NYC’s air quality, but other large cities with similar traffic programs have experienced significant improvements. For example, London, a sister city in New York, a 17% reduction in PM2.5 Fine According to the expansion of low emission zones in early 2023. Clean air can improve public health performance by reducing the respiratory and other pollution -related problems. And more and more research Chronic noise Traffic can be more than just annoying. In nearby local communities, you can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart attacks.
afternoon2.5 Trend in London, 2010-2023
Cleaner air is not the only way to help public health. In recent years, the number of traffic conflicts in NYC has been increasing. New Yorkers were killed or seriously injured in the crowd price area almost every day. During the first nine months in 2024. However, both for 12 days of congestion price Conflicts and injuries have fallen more than 50%. From CRZ. London once again offers a long -term perspective. Researchers have a traffic accident It fell by an amazing 40% Since the introduction of urban congestion tolls in 2003.
If the vehicle is reduced at the main level, New York can achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 1990 by 2030. Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act 2019.
Proof
Legalist Michael Gerrard said, “Despite the many benefits confirmed in cities around the world, it remains a controversial idea for some drivers, politicians and media. Climate change method centerPart of Columbia Climate School. “Some politicians are currently challenging this program, which was the result of a wide range of plans, policies and legal procedures. However, there is little precedent for the reversal of this scale, which has already begun. ”
Some can recall similar turmoil when New York passes. Clean indoor air techniqueFinally, 20 years ago, smoking was banned in an indoor public place. Today, NYC’s ban on smoking is congratulated by great development to protect public health and improve the quality of urban life. It is hard to imagine returning to the period of thick smoke hanging on the bar and restaurant in the restaurant.
Nevertheless, it is important not only to prove that New York’s stagnant price program is relieving the grid of Gotham over time, but it is also important to prove that it can adapt to the challenges of NYC’s complex urban landscape.
Jacqueline M. Klopp at Climate School said, “If the crowd price is introduced elsewhere, like Stockholm or London, the initial opposition has disappeared as people experience traffic, clean air, and quiet and safe distance. Sustainable Urban Development Center. “But we should not be satisfied. It is important to interpret the collected funds as a timely and fair improvement of the public transportation system, including commuting railroads. Most urgently we must solve inequality. People of South Bronx, People suffering from health problems related to high levels of transportation and air pollutionYou should also be able to see significant benefits from the city’s stagnant price pricing plan. ”
In more than 8 million cities, changes are not easy. But New York, whether art, urban development, or public transportation, was at the forefront of the world’s resonating movement. Throughout the long history of the city, New York residents challenged the current state due to the strong harmony of imagination, inspiration and determination. And again and again, it has been proven to be a continuous formula for progress.
Further photo study of EMELY Mendez
The opinions and opinions expressed here are the author’s views and opinions, and does not necessarily reflect the official position of Columbia Climate School, Earth Institute or Columbia University.
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