Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
vehicle miles traveled

Bill to Cut Vehicle Miles in New York Would Also Reduce Traffic Deaths, Costs and Pollution

"As this data makes clear, a new approach will not only protect our climate, but also make New York a safer, more affordable place to live," said state Sen. Andrew Gounardes.

Photo: Josh Katz|

It’s time to measure New York City’s traffic with modern technology, experts argue.

A proposal to require New York to cut total miles traveled by one-fifth would obviously improve air quality and reduce fatal crashes — but a new report shows it will also save families thousands of dollars in vehicle costs and improve public health in a way that would save scores of billions of dollars.

State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, who represents the very western edge of Brooklyn, proposed the legislation last year to mandate a 20-percent reduction in vehicle miles traveled in the Empire State by 2050.

Enacting the law would eliminate 227 million metric tons of carbon emissions over 25 years, save households an average of $3,750 annually in gas and vehicle costs, and reduce the number of deaths each year by 4,940, according to a new Smarter Mobility Options for Decarbonization, Equity and Safety calculator unveiled this week by the Rocky Mountain Institute.

The latter figure includes 593 fewer fatalities from traffic-related crashes and 4,347 fewer deaths thanks to a switch to active transportation — the second-highest number of reductions in the United States, according to the data.

Graphic: RMI

The international institute with offices in the Big Apple studied the potential impact of a 20-percent reduction in VMTs in each state by using its new computerized tool (methodology here) — which spit out an estimated 180,000 fewer fatal car crashes and contribute to the prevention of over 1.5 million deaths by 2050, or nearly 50,000 lives saved per year.

"The monetary costs of car crashes should not detract from their human toll. When cars and people compete for space, cars win," the Feb. 15 report said. "By moving drivers to safer buses and rail transit, and by creating safe, protected routes for cyclists and pedestrians, we lower the likelihood of these deadly collisions and empower Americans to try more active modes of transportation. The Smarter MODES Calculator ... estimat[es] not only the avoided costs of automobile ownership, but also avoided social costs."

Graphic: RMI

Gounardes's bill (S1981A) has the backing of New Yorkers for Transportation Equity. It's far from the country's first attempt to improve air quality and slash fatalities by eliminating the number of vehicle miles traveled across the state. Last year, Minnesota required its own Department of Transportation to cut VMTs by 20 percent — a decrease that the Rocky Mountain Institute found would save $91 billion.

In California, meanwhile, similar legislation that was signed into law back in 2013 finally went into effect several years go. Cities such as Santa Rosa and Berkeley have started using the new VMT standard, Streetsblog CAL has reported, but it is unclear if they have produced any data yet to determine its success.

No matter the total savings, any investment in alternative transportation options like cycling and buses rather than pollution-promoting highways is a win, Gounardes said.

"As this data makes clear, a new approach will not only protect our climate, but also make New York a safer, more affordable place to live."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Analysis: Residential Parking Permits Would Be Bad for City Streets

Congestion pricing isn't driving more people to park Uptown — and even if it did, "hunting licenses" for parking spots wouldn't help.

February 18, 2025

Too Much Illegal Parking Prompts Community Board to Reject New Housing

Even after the city greatly reduced parking mandates in the City of Yes initiative, parking is still at the center of many debates about new housing.

February 18, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: A Mayor Without an Administration Edition

Four deputy mayors are resigning. Where does that leave our fair city? Plus other news?

February 18, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Presidents Day Edition

We'll take the day off for the holiday, but we'll still give you a full roundup of news.

February 17, 2025

State DOT Finally Offers Up Proposal To Repair the Cross Bronx Without Expanding It

An option that doesn't involve a parallel road that carries highway traffic but still creates a new east-west connection, had not initially been on the table.

February 17, 2025
See all posts