U.S. DOT Urban Partnership Agreements: Highlight on New York City

Continuing the series of NTOC Talks articles following the 2008 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, this article highlights the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) with New York City. During the session “Forging Effective Urban Partnerships to Reduce Congestion,” those involved with the successful UPA proposals offered insight into the regional collaboration processes the areas are employing. Bruce Schaller with the New York City DOT discussed the city’s partnership to reduce congestion and improve air quality.

Schaller began his presentation by emphasizing the importance of partnerships, both between U.S. DOT and New York City as well as between the city and New York State. While NYC is responsible for the street grid, the state is responsible for the majority of the highway system, Schaller explained. In addition, the Port Authority is responsible for the waterways connecting the city to New Jersey. As a result, the issue of congestion must be tackled through a partnership involving all the stakeholders.

According to Schaller, the need for improved infrastructure within the city was spurred two years ago when Mayor Bloomberg announced an effort to develop a new, strategic land use plan that would allow for more residents and employment within the city. As a result, the groups examining the city’s transit issues began laying the groundwork for PlaNYC (www.nyc.gov/html/planyc2030/html/home/home.shtml), a comprehensive plan to enhance the city focusing on five key elements: land, air, water, energy and transportation. Schaller explained that with this plan linking transportation to larger themes, support grew for congestion pricing, and the city began working for approval of a congestion pricing plan. If the approvals are obtained, New York City will become the first city in the United States to charge all motorists for driving within the city’s congestion zones. With the NYC DOT working with the New York State DOT, it was awarded money from the U.S. DOT UPA that will be used for transit service expansion as more people choose transit in light of the congestion pricing.

Schaller noted the evolving process of the city’s collaborative efforts as its partners have grown since the first announcement of PlaNYC. However, the focus remains on reducing congestion and improving air quality. For more information on the NYC’s congestion pricing efforts and PlaNYC, visit http://www.upa.dot.gov/agreements/newyorkcity.htm.