After decades of comprehensive legislative and legal processes, New York City became the first municipality in the United States to implement the idea first proposed by Columbia University Economists: crowd pricing. William Vicley– January 5th, 2025. For many New Yorkers, they couldn’t come anytime soon. New York has been synonymous with traffic at least since the turn of the last century. Edison Studio I shot my first film at a New York location: A short clip of the lively Herald Square. And Gridlock grew from Edison’s Day: Record 335 million vehicles in 2023 We crossed a bridge and tunnel in New York City.
Annual paid vehicle intersection at MTA Bridge and Tunnel, 1936-2023
The plan that was finally implemented was modest compared to previous proposals. “Cars entering the “Crowd Relief Zone” (or “CRZ”) that includes most of Manhattan under 60th Avenue will pay a sacrifice of up to $9 at peak times. day. Drivers still have access to all of the city’s 6,300 miles of streets and highways. They are merely victims of considering alternative forms of transit, such as New York’s world-class subway system.
NYC’s busy pricing program is only a few weeks ago, but the early data is promising. It has already proven to be popular. Below are some of the potential benefits New Yorkers and visitors can expect from the much-anticipated crowd pricing plan in the coming months.
Reduce traffic, improve travel times, improve public transport
Dutch Tunnel Commuting Time, Monday
Just a month after traffic pricing began, the Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) in New York reported One million vehicles have entered Manhattan’s busiest zone. This reduction has resulted in 10% to 30% improvement in travel time at all Hudson and East River intersections, as well as faster, more reliable bus services. Strafangers also noticed: weekend express bus service riderships rose more than 20% during this period, and 7.3% on weekdays, continuing the upward trend dating back to fall 2024.
Better Big Apple
The subway has been the lifeline of New York City for over a century. However, running one of the world’s largest and oldest subway systems requires continuous maintenance, and many improvements (such as making stations accessible) have been postponed for decades . With crowd pricing, MTAs can fund $15 billion Capital improvements for the vast system as a wholeincluding adding 250 electric buses and continuing the subway line on the second avenue.
Slideshow: 120 years of New York City subway
Beyond nuts and bolts, busy prices could pave the way for a reconstruction of New York City’s city. Reducing vehicle traffic allows for the development of more sustainable, community-centric urban designs by freeing up valuable space and resources. Conversion to Times Square’s Pedestrian Square That’s a good example. When traffic is busy, the 2017 redesign added 110,000 square feet of pedestrian space by converting sections of the Broadway into permanent, car-free zones. This shift not only improved safety, but also improved the general experience by providing more space for seating, art installations and cultural events. Today, revitalized Times Square is a popular and dynamic gathering location, and the project is considered a model for how smart urban design can redefine better urban spaces.
Reducing congestion can improve economic productivity by reducing commute times and improving the overall efficiency of the transport network. Simply put, when the driver and product move quickly and reliably, the company is more efficient. Even the city itself could save money. Low traffic can reduce New York infrastructure wear and tear, resulting in reduced long-term costs. Almost 23% of the NYC Department of Transport’s 2025 budget It is assigned to road repair, maintenance and inspection.
Environmental and Health Benefits
Researchers still don’t have enough data to measure the full impact of crowd pricing on NYC’s air quality, but there are significant improvements in other metropolitan areas with similar pricing programs. For example, London, a sister city of New York, reported PM decreases by 17%2.5 Particulate matter After the expansion of the ultra-low emission zone in 2023. Clean air improves public health outcomes by reducing respiratory and other pollution-related issues. And the growing number of research has also discovered it Chronic noise pollution There’s more to the traffic than just discomfort. It can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart attacks in nearby communities.
PM2.5 London Trends, 2010-2023
Congestion pricing is not the only way to benefit public health. The number of traffic accidents in NYC has been increasing in recent years. New Yorkers were killed or seriously injured in traffic pricing zones almost every day. The first nine months of 2024. However, during the first 12 days of congestion pricing, Crash and injuries reduced by more than 50% With CRZ. London again offers a long-term perspective: researchers have discovered a traffic accident It fell at an astonishing 40% This is the first time since the introduction of city’s busy tolls in 2003.
At the state level, reducing emissions from vehicles will help New York achieve its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 1990. Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act 2019.
Pavement evidence
“Despite the many benefits being tested in cities around the world, crowd pricing remains a controversial idea for some drivers, politicians and media outlets.” Sabin Climate Change Law Centerpart of the Columbia Climate School. “Now, some politicians are challenging the program, which was the result of extensive planning, policy and legal procedures. However, the reversal of local transportation projects of this scale has already begun. There are few precedents of this.”
Some may remember a similar uproar when New York passed. Clean indoor air behaviorand ultimately banned smoking in indoor public spaces 20 years ago. Today, NYC’s smoking ban is celebrated as a major advancement in protecting public health and improving the quality of urban life. It’s hard to imagine going back to a time when thick smoke hangs in the air of city bars and restaurants.
Nevertheless, over time, it is important for New York’s congestion pricing program to not only demonstrate easing Gridlocks in Gotham, but also to adapt to the challenges of NYC’s complex urban landscapes. is.
“In places where congestion pricing has been introduced elsewhere, like Stockholm and London, people have experienced the benefits of low traffic, cleaner air, quieter and safer streets, and the early opposition is that was fading,” says Jacqueline M. Klopp, director of the Climate School. Sustainable Urban Development Center. “But we should not be satisfied. It is important that the funds collected be converted into timely and equitable improvements in the transportation system, including commuter railroads. Most urgently inequality needs to be addressed. People of the South Bronx, People suffering from high levels of health issues related to traffic and air pollutionIt should also have a great advantage from the city’s crowd pricing plan. ”
In cities with over 8 million people, change is not easy. But whether it’s arts, urban development or public transport, New York has consistently been a pioneer in a movement that resonates with the world. Throughout the city’s long history, New Yorkers have been challenging the status quo, driven by a powerful blend of imagination, inspiration and determination. And it has proven to be a permanent formula of progress over and over.
Additional Photo Survey by Emely Mendez
The opinions and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the Columbia School of Climate, the Institute of Earth, or Columbia University.
