Streetsblog New York City

You can set speed limits to 4 MPH if you want but it won't matter because there's no enforcement.

Josh, and all speed limit reduction cynics:

Would you support or oppose a reduction of speed limits on city streets?

I understand everyone's cynicism. Yeah, the speed limit itself is only part of the picture, and enforcement is lousy.

*But the official speed limit still needs to come down.*

NYC's default speed limit for its internal streets needs to come down, and I hope that even the most hardened cynics in the livable streets movement support that idea.

I'm harping, but I won't stop:

rlb, absolutely.

But there's also enough information out there about public safety to support the idea that 30mph is inappropriate as the officially permitted speed on local streets.

Mark #3, is there a reason why any rational person interested in a basic livable streets agenda, including energy independence, environmental health, and human rights would ever vote for McCain? Among other things, he supports continuing the war in Iraq, he's anti-Amtrak, and he voted no on prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation.

DDart, with your many posts in mind I brought up lowering speed limits to some livable street like people, one brought up the point that we cant give the cops anything more to do, they aren't going to enforce it. The way I see it, they are asking for payraise on what they are already not doing. I think lowered speed limits would save lives and make this city sooo much nicer, but I believe changing street design, and mandating blame on the car driver in "accidents" will be easier to do than getting the speed limit reduced and enforced.

In the section of McCain's website called "reforming our transportation sector," there is no mention of rail. There is only his clean-car challenge to automakers, his $300 million prize to design battery cars, and enforcing only existing gas mileage standards.

HAHAHAHA. Reform? This guy is so far behind the times it is laughable.

Since the Federal Express parcel (pun intended) of land is on the waterfront innovative ideas like bringing freight in and out by barge and or using the subway system after hours for delivery -- or even using special freight cars during normal hours -- could lower costs, truck counts, congestion, and emissions around the city.

Yeah but none of that is going to happen gecko. Tractor trailers are going to come from the shipping hub at Newark Airport to Queens over a 24 hour period. FedEx isn't going to use the waterfront at all except to block it off from the public.

#16 Heffron, If you look at a map including Newark Airport, Newark Bay, New York Harbor, Manhattan, and the East River a UPS Worldport-class sorting facility (accessible to all carriers and the US Mail) on Newark Bay can provide direct water access to New York City waterfronts eliminating the need for trucking.

In the city, small electric pallet trucks and electric vehicles can deliver freight the final 2000 feet and customers can also pick up their packages if they choose.

Freight going further into the boroughs can use other sensible methods of delivery.

It is difficult to believe something like this has not been proposed and, now is the time to give it serious consideration.

Gecko we've met with Steel Equities, the company purchasing the property and leasing it to FedEx and they were very clear about what they will and will not be doing. Green roofs, public access to the waterfront and entertaining renters other than FedEx are all things they will not be considering. The property they plan to build is as far removed from the bay as possible and as close to the road as they can get. Neither Steel nor FedEx are interested in creative approaches to shipping.

Also FedEx Ground is a mainly freelance operation. The tractor trucks are driven by FedEx employees but the majority of the delivery vans are driven by independent contractors that own their van in the same way you'd buy a McDonalds franchise. I don't think FedEx will be making any extensive changes to that system anytime soon, certainly not before 2010 when they plan to open the new depot.

It's certainly an attractive way to ship you've described, but I don't see it happening in this spot and I know that Steel Eq and FedEx are not into community input on this matter.

well that is a good point. the groups that I'm personally working with might not see it that way but it's a good idea to shop around when the opportunity presents itself.