NYC Councilwoman Gale Brewer recently introduced a bill directing the NYC DOT to adopt real-world performance measures regarding the city’s transportation system, as opposed to the data on bureaucratic activity it currently reports.

   Intro 199 says “the Department of Transportation currently measures surface transportation performance through an array of output measures that assess activity [such as] the number of traffic lights repaired and the number of potholes filled.” 

   If enacted, the bill would supplement these statistics with a set of measures whose aim will be to assess and reduce “the amount of traffic citywide and within each borough.”  Specific aims of the new data would be to “reduce commute time citywide,” reduce household exposure to street emissions and reduce driving’s share of travel to central business districts while increasing those of mass transit, cycling and walking. A report on transportation performance would be due each January 15.

   The legislation leaves it to the NYC DOT to come up with the specific units of measurement, but the aim of the performance measures is clear and worthy of passage by the Council. Supporters hope the information will inform a goal-driven city transportation policy that curbs driving impacts and makes more room for other means of travel.

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