New York City revamping truck routes

After about a half-century of no significant changes, New York City truck routes are going to receive a major overhaul.

The New York City Council approved legislation to redesign the city’s truck routes to improve safety, increase visibility, reduce traffic congestion and reduce vehicle miles traveled. New York City truck routes have not been significantly updated since they were created in the 1970s.

According to Introduction 0708, the New York City Department of Transportation will be required to consult with city agencies, community boards and business improvement districts, as well as representatives from businesses, environmental and climate justice organizations, street safety organizations and the trucking, logistics and last-mile delivery industries.

The bill also would require that the city’s DOT assess whether daylighting or daylighting barriers should be implemented at intersections on the truck route network, as well as review and replace truck route signage where necessary. Daylighting is defined as the use of street design elements, including the removal of parking, for enhancing the visibility of cross traffic and pedestrians for motorists within 25 feet of an intersection.

Implementation of the revamped New York City truck routes will begin no later than June 1. New signage will be put up throughout the city no later than July 1.

Broad support for updated truck routes

The bill to update New York City truck routes is coasting through with little to no resistance, garnering broad support from all stakeholders, including those in the trucking industry.

In submitted testimony, the Trucking Association of New York expressed its support.

“With about 1,300 miles of designated roadway, New York City has one of the most complex truck route systems in the nation,” the association wrote in its testimony. “We credit DOT with the redesigned truck route network, outreach and map distribution as part of their ‘Delivering New York a Smart Truck Management Plan for New York City.’ It is crucial that this network be closely monitored and improved, and we are delighted to see the council support DOT’s efforts to do this.” LL

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