With Midtown congestion frustratingly high, Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Polly Trottenberg unveiled her plan of attack. In an op ed piece for the Daily News, on December 11th, Trottenberg describes increasing enforcement, expanding technology, and creative management techniques to get things moving.
Aside from increased ticketing, of interest to commercial transportation is the creation of a Midtown Traffic Enforcement Action Group. The Commissioner calls for better coordination among City agencies to improve compliance with double-parking regulations, construction permitting, and parking fines. She calls for the expanded use of cameras for enforcement and adjustment of loading zones and parking rules.
The Commissioner also calls for more deliveries to be made during off hours. Off-hour deliveries would require businesses to adjust the hours of some of their employees. Of course, on demand deliveries would not easily fit into this strategy. While it is certainly logical to want deliveries done off-hour, it is not always practical.
Clearly, something needs to be done about gridlock and improved coordination between City agencies is a good start. We are glad the Commissioner acknowledges the need to keep people and goods moving as the City grows. We think it imperative that the commercial vehicle operators who keep the City’s economy moving be included in any planning to make sure their needs are addressed as part of any solutions.
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