Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In

Ahead of Sunday's big PlaNYC 2030 reveal, Bruce Schaller of Schaller Consulting has released an exhaustive analysis of New York City traffic, transit and public space. "CITYinFLUX: Understanding and Untangling Traffic and Transportation in NYC" is a compendium of over 40 reports and databases, highlighting a wealth of interesting facts, charts and analyses. The complete report (43 page PDF) is available here.

Here's one nice factoid: Autos account for an estimated 75% of vehicle miles traveled in the five boroughs:

And here's another: 10% of auto trips are under one-half mile, 22% are under 1 mile and
56% are under 3 miles -- distances readily served by bicycle:


Other tidbits:

    • While the greatest concentrations of New York City auto commuters live in neighborhoods beyond walking distance of a subway station, 61% of city residents who commute by auto live within two-thirds of a mile of a subway or commuter rail station.
    • For the region as a whole, 80% of auto commuters have a transit option that would take no more than 15 minutes longer than their auto trip.
    • The average cost of parking on-street at a meter is $1.73 compared with $21 to $27 (depending on duration) for off-street parking in the Manhattan CBD.

"Pricing is the most effective way to discourage auto use," the report concludes. "A sensible program to reduce traffic and improve New Yorkers' transportation options should combine improvements to public transportation, walking and cycling with congestion pricing and parking pricing policies that discourage unnecessary driving and raise funds for public transportation."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause

A Brooklyn Council member wants delivery app companies to be more human and less robot.

July 18, 2025

Friday Video: Is Berlin a Great Biking City?

Have recent moves by anti-bike, pro-car legislators ruined the experience in the capital of a unified Germany? Sort of!

July 18, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Meeker Avenue Bike Lane Is a Failure

The Department of Transportation still hasn't finished a critical bike lane under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that the agency has been stalling for over four years even after identifying the strip's danger and lack of proper signals.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition

Why does Andrew Cuomo drive so recklessly? Plus other news.

July 18, 2025

Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off

Mayor Adams has delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue despite once saying safety fixes there should be "at the top of our list."

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Jerry Nadler Edition

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler faced off with Sean Duffy on Capitol Hill. Plus more news.

July 17, 2025
See all posts