NY State Transportation Commissioner Joseph Boardman’s panel on transportation policy came downstate last week, holding hearings in Suffolk County and Manhattan. The panel is to consider elements of transportation policy as the state transportation department considers a new transportation master plan, looking out to 2025 (see MTR #’s 447, 461). The panel includes a good mix of former transportation officials, some with strong mass transit backgrounds, and includes James Tripp, general counsel for Environmental Defense and a Tri-State Campaign board member.

Transportation reformers at the meetings stressed new 21^st Century missions for the NY State DOT:

• Taking the lead to better unite transportation and land use planning. First by better educating municipalities about the transportation consequences of locating development, and thereafter working with receptive towns and cities on transportation plans that complement transit and pedestrian oriented, mixed-use plans for growth
  

• Taking on an even greater role to promote rail freight, including making public investments in key railroad projects an increasingly large portion of the state DOT capital budget. Forecasts of truck traffic growth in coming decades warrant a major public commitment to increasing the railroads’ share of total goods movement. More freight moved by rail will lessen traffic congestion and truck damage to highways.
  

• Looking ahead to new tolling opportunities. As congestion worsens and general public fiscal commitments to adequate infrastructure becomes increasingly questionable, agencies may need new sources of transportation-derived revenue. Tolls may be able to address both problems. Federal transportation bills now under debate are likely to liberalize states’ abilities to implement new tolls on interstate freeways, while the trend toward non-stop tolling or "Express E-ZPass" has the potential ot dramatically reduce toll plazas as sources of traffic congestion. One near-term option for the state DOT to develop new tolls without imposing them on unwilling motorists is to permit solo drivers to use the Long Island Expressway HOV lane in exchange for an E-ZPass toll payment.  

MTR back issues:

Go to index of all Mobilizing the Region back issues.