Comments on: Delivering the Goods to a Growing New York http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/23/delivering-the-goods-to-a-growing-new-york/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:32:54 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Angus Grieve-Smith http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/23/delivering-the-goods-to-a-growing-new-york/comment-page-1/#comment-36098 Angus Grieve-Smith Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:15:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/23/delivering-the-goods-to-a-growing-new-york/#comment-36098 <blockquote>NYMTC's Regional Freight Plan (RFP) estimates the annual commodity flow in the region will grow to a staggering 490 million tons by the year 2025 - an almost 50% increase in freight tonnage.</blockquote> You know, it's not like these things are unaffected by government actions. Maybe the commodity flow would increase, but would it increase that much if the government didn't subsidize motor freight? It might be handy if we could actually get the tunnel built by saying "ZOMG! The sky is falling! If we don't build the Cross-Harbor rail freight tunnel TOMORROW then EVERY STREET in the city will be clogged with trucks and nobody will be able to moooove!," but it would be really dishonest. I don't think that does anyone any favors.

NYMTC's Regional Freight Plan (RFP) estimates the annual commodity flow in the region will grow to a staggering 490 million tons by the year 2025 - an almost 50% increase in freight tonnage.

You know, it's not like these things are unaffected by government actions. Maybe the commodity flow would increase, but would it increase that much if the government didn't subsidize motor freight?

It might be handy if we could actually get the tunnel built by saying "ZOMG! The sky is falling! If we don't build the Cross-Harbor rail freight tunnel TOMORROW then EVERY STREET in the city will be clogged with trucks and nobody will be able to moooove!," but it would be really dishonest. I don't think that does anyone any favors.

]]> By: Dan Icolari http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/23/delivering-the-goods-to-a-growing-new-york/comment-page-1/#comment-36049 Dan Icolari Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:22:34 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/23/delivering-the-goods-to-a-growing-new-york/#comment-36049 Spud, there's actually been a decrease in truck traffic and an increase in the use of freight rail on Staten Island, a development that's been reported only very recently (and probably only, or mostly, in the Staten Island Advance). That decrease is attributable to the repair and reuse of a rail bridge on the West Shore over the Arthur Kill. I forget the estimate given for the number of trucks eliminated from S.I. Expressway and Goethals Bridge traffic, but it was substantial. Spud, there's actually been a decrease in truck traffic and an increase in the use of freight rail on Staten Island, a development that's been reported only very recently (and probably only, or mostly, in the Staten Island Advance).

That decrease is attributable to the repair and reuse of a rail bridge on the West Shore over the Arthur Kill. I forget the estimate given for the number of trucks eliminated from S.I. Expressway and Goethals Bridge traffic, but it was substantial.

]]> By: Greg Raisman http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/23/delivering-the-goods-to-a-growing-new-york/comment-page-1/#comment-36047 Greg Raisman Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:25:18 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/23/delivering-the-goods-to-a-growing-new-york/#comment-36047 check out this wacky freight idea from Amsterdam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op7rF7DeXt4 check out this wacky freight idea from Amsterdam:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op7rF7DeXt4

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/23/delivering-the-goods-to-a-growing-new-york/comment-page-1/#comment-36045 Spud Spudly Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:53:39 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/23/delivering-the-goods-to-a-growing-new-york/#comment-36045 What's up with Staten Island? Surrounded by water and yet the map shows them getting virtually all of their goods by truck. What's up with Staten Island? Surrounded by water and yet the map shows them getting virtually all of their goods by truck.

]]> By: t http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/23/delivering-the-goods-to-a-growing-new-york/comment-page-1/#comment-36044 t Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:36:58 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/23/delivering-the-goods-to-a-growing-new-york/#comment-36044 Putnam and Rockland Counties have more goods brought in by trucks than most of the five boroughs, so cities can still lay claim to being more green than the suburbs. In the 'burbs, the stuff is trucked in to grocery stores which people have to drive to and from in order to get food and supplies. In the city, we can walk to get the same things, lessening the carbon footprint of those goods by just a little. Imagine places such as Las Vegas or Phoenix where just about everything arrives via plane, train, or truck. Putnam and Rockland Counties have more goods brought in by trucks than most of the five boroughs, so cities can still lay claim to being more green than the suburbs.

In the 'burbs, the stuff is trucked in to grocery stores which people have to drive to and from in order to get food and supplies. In the city, we can walk to get the same things, lessening the carbon footprint of those goods by just a little.

Imagine places such as Las Vegas or Phoenix where just about everything arrives via plane, train, or truck.

]]> By: Susan Donovan http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/23/delivering-the-goods-to-a-growing-new-york/comment-page-1/#comment-36043 Susan Donovan Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:23:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/23/delivering-the-goods-to-a-growing-new-york/#comment-36043 The "truck problem" really dampens the cities reputation for being green. Think of the carbon it adds to every purchase you make! Mike, "buying less stuff" would be UNAMERICAN! The "truck problem" really dampens the cities reputation for being green. Think of the carbon it adds to every purchase you make!

Mike, "buying less stuff" would be UNAMERICAN!

]]> By: mike http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/23/delivering-the-goods-to-a-growing-new-york/comment-page-1/#comment-36041 mike Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:19:17 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/23/delivering-the-goods-to-a-growing-new-york/#comment-36041 We could also buy less stuff, but of course no political "leader" would really suggest that. We could also buy less stuff, but of course no political "leader" would really suggest that.

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