New Yorkers on scooters can make a differenceNEW YORK, NY, February 12, 2007 –A recent study by Sam Schwartz PLLC shows that New Yorkers could significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in their city by taking a scooter to work instead of a cab or even the family car. Not only would they help the environment, but they would also save money on gas. Last but not least, scooters are easier to navigate through congested rush hour streets, thus saving time.
The study focused on a central section of midtown Manhattan in New York City. The traffic model incorporated was developed by a transportation engineering and planning firm, Sam Schwartz PLLC, using an industry-standard tool deployed by transportation engineers. Through modeling, the simulation evaluated scooters into the traffic mix in 10 percent increments - examining the impact of moving from 100 percent cars (including small SUVs, vans, etc.), to 90 percent cars / 10 percent scooters, to 80 percent cars / 20 percent scooters, and so on. The results were transferred to the entire Manhattan Central Business District, stretching from 60th Street to the lower tip of Manhattan. By shifting the daytime vehicle mix to 80 percent cars and 20 percent scooters, the following would result annually: A total decrease in delay of more than 4.6 million hours per year - which translates to time savings of nearly 100 working hours per person A reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by over 26,000 tons (52,000,000-pounds) per year A decrease in fuel consumption by over 2.5 million gallons per year A total savings for New York City of more than $122 million per year in fuel and labor productivity
The team at Sam Schwartz PLLC noted that the simulation was conservative in its estimation of the positive impact of scooters - as it did not factor into the model that two scooters can occupy a single lane side-by-side when riding, as permitted by New York law. "This is the first traffic model for New York City to assess the potential impact of shifting the traffic mix to a greater percentage of two-wheel vehicles like scooters," said Sam Schwartz, president / CEO of Sam Schwartz PLLC and a former New York City Traffic Commissioner. "With a population of over 8 million, and millions more commuting in each weekday, New York is one of the most heavily congested areas in the world. Given the current dialogue about traffic congestion and environmental impact, it is extremely timely to examine the positive implications of a change in the vehicle mix." "Throughout the world, scooters are recognized as a smart transportation alternative, and this traffic simulation underscores the tangible impact that two-wheel vehicles can have on a major urban area like New York City," said Paolo Timoni, President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas, which sponsored the modeling project. "The impact of this kind of shift has already been seen in London, which instituted congestion tariffs for commuting cars. That policy led to a significant increase in vehicles like scooters being used for commuting. Research is now validating that even small behavioral changes, like using scooters for a portion of one's commuting, can benefit the economy and help address critical environmental issues like global warming." For more information visit http://www.vespanomics.com/TrafficModel.cfm. |
