Green Freight
According to data from the Federal Highway Administration,
New York City and New Jersey’s truck traffic is projected
to skyrocket by over 50% by 2020. This surge in trucks
will have significant consequences for the region’s quality
of life, with air quality, human health, traffic congestion,
road wear and tear, and traffic safety all expected to suffer. Many
of the neighborhoods most impacted are those that are already
disproportionately burdened with environmental hazards.
Expanded rail freight can flatten this increase somewhat, but still
faces resistance from the public and lacks sufficient public investment.
Tri-State is working to promote cleaner alternatives to trucks,
to increase public commitment to rail freight investment, and to
empower citizens to protect their neighborhoods. The latter
includes education on traffic calming methods which effectively bar trucks
from local streets, and advocating for improved enforcement from police and more appropriate
truck routing regulations.
In addition, the Campaign is a member of Move NY & NJ, a coalition
advocating for the construction of the cross harbor rail freight
tunnel between NJ and NY. According to NYC Economic Development Corporation, the tunnel
would reduce truck traffic by allowing up to 15 million tons per
year of truck traffic to be carried via rail.
In New Jersey, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign filed a friend-of-the-court
brief supporting New Jersey regulations that prohibit some
large trucks from using smaller state highways. A lawsuit against
the truck rules had been filed by the American Trucking Associations. Press
release with more information available here.
New York Articles/Reports
New Jersey Articles/Reports
