Meetings on NYC DOT’s study of official truck routes held over the past few weeks indicate that city government is committed to more than simply improving signs in order to reduce truck impacts in NYC neighborhoods.

Hearteningly, both DOT and NY Police Dept. officials have shown interest in developing a more systematic tracking of truck complaints and enforcement, an approach advocates have begun to refer to as "truck-stat." The police presence at the meetings has been very helpful in answering questions about enforcement. DOT plans to revisit the truck route system using new land use data, and better systematizing information on appropriate routes for the freight-hauling industry are also welcome.

The study’s discussions with the trucking industry have been valuable in spotlighting the fact that drivers are largely in the dark about legal routes. Only 9% of truckers responding to a study survey agreed they were familiar with the city’s truck routes. 41% said they were not at all familiar with the routes.

The city also reported it has been hearing more interest in truck routes from the industry since truck route violation penalties were stiffened in November. Under the new law, fines for a first offense are now $250, and truckers receive points on their license. However, both city and community investigations found that these violations are often thrown out in court, so it is unclear whether or not the new rules are really making a difference.

DOT reps at the meetings were less enthusiastic about moving more truck traffic onto the city’s highways. They said high costs prohibited them from re-engineering parkway-type roads for trucks. But the fact remains that the city’s accommodation of trucks is largely backwards — many limited access routes ban trucks, leading to very heavy truck traffic on some streets and avenues with all the attendant community impacts and pavement damage.

Traffic calming to deter trucks from inappropriate routes in particular problem areas also seemed to go under a DOT "too expensive for the limits of this study" header. However, this should not stop the agency from recommending such solutions as part of a longer term plan.

DOT should also investigate expanding the Midtown program that applies congestion pricing to curbside truck parking to built-up commercial corridors in other boroughs. Other Manhattan rules, such as limiting car parking and limiting truck sizes to 33 feet may also find application elsewhere.

Public concerns at the meetings has ranged from complaints about lack of signage on particular streets to broader pleas for regional agencies to invest more in rail freight.

The problem of trucks in neighborhoods clearly resonates with NYC citizens. About 30 people attended each of the four recent meetings the Campaign has been able to attend. 

MTR back issues:

Go to index of all Mobilizing the Region back issues