NYC DOT Installs Over 500 Loading Zones To Help With Double Parking, Announces Congestion Pricing Pilot Authorization, Reminds New York Restaurants That Roadway Outdoor Dining Structures Must Be Removed By November 29th While Sidewalk Structures Remain Year Round

NYC DOT COMPLETES INSTALLATION OF OVER 500 LOADING ZONES IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC FEEDBACK ON DOUBLE PARKING AND BLOCKED BIKE AND BUS LANES

Portal Allows New Yorkers To Report Problem Areas That Could Benefit From a Designated Loading Zone

New Yorkers Urged To Provide Additional Submissions – Because Nobody Likes Double Parking and Blocked Bike and Bus Lanes

Editor’s note: Earlier this year, Staten Islander reported on Open Streets applications, which are open to schools, businesses, and other partners to provide community space where there preciously was regular vehicle traffic and/or parking.  We also reported on the opening of the application period for outdoor dining structures, which closed back in August, and will reopen again in the spring. 

The lawsuit regarding the Congestion Pricing implementation is still tied up in the courts, with multiple politicians named in the lawsuit against the state to stop this program.  They have vowed to continue to fight against this program until it is permanently removed.  As we have reported in the past, they believe that it will shift pollution to Staten Island and other outer boroughs, along with causing harm to businesses in the area and workers traveling into the zone from other areas of the City.  It is also expected to worsen already poor ambulance response times.  

Truck Loading Only Sign 108th Street in Queens, Image Credit – NYC DOT

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced that the agency has installed over 500 new loading zones that address public feedback on where they commonly see double parking and blocked bike and bus lanes due to vehicle loading and unloading. In 2023, NYC DOT launched a new web platform where New Yorkers can report problem areas. Double-parking and blocked bike and bus lanes create safety hazards and contribute to traffic congestion. These efforts complement other recent and ongoing NYC DOT initiatives to reduce the negative impacts of truck deliveries and make deliveries safer and smoother for everyone.

“Double parking is a nuisance for all users of our curb lane,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Loading zones are flexible spaces that increase turnover and reduce double parking up to 70 percent. Combined with automated double-parking enforcement and making last-mile package deliveries more efficient, the city is tackling congestion from multiple fronts.”

“Nobody likes double parking and blocked bike and bus lanes! New Yorkers pinned down areas plagued by double parking and blocked bike and bus lanes and we responded with fast action at over 500 locations,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “These new loading zones are helping to alleviate congestion and improve street safety and we encourage New Yorkers to report problem areas by visiting nyc.gov/LoadingFeedback.”

Users of the platform place a pin on a map to identify problem areas related to loading and unloading, and provide written comments. NYC DOT factors in this information, along with other data and considerations, to determine the specific placement of loading zones citywide. Since December 2021, NYC DOT has installed nearly 3,000 loading zones.

The launch of NYC DOT’s web platform and the installation of locations derived from public feedback is just one part of the agency’s efforts to address challenges presented by the increased ordering of goods online and subsequent truck deliveries, which account for nearly 90 percent of goods moved in New York City. These efforts include:

Blue Highways: This initiative encompasses NYC DOT’s efforts with New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to promote the use of NYC’s waterways, instead of roadways, to transport goods in and around the city. By adding marine facilities to the freight effort, the city can reduce its overreliance on trucks, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.

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Microhubs: NYC DOT proposed rules last month allowing for a three-year microhubs pilot program to offer safe, dedicated spaces for truck operators to transfer deliveries onto safer and more sustainable modes of transportation for the last leg of delivery, including e-cargo bikes, handcarts, and smaller electric sprinter vans. The rules allow for dedicated on-street spaces for delivery vehicles to transfer goods to safer and more sustainable delivery modes. On-street microhub zones will be about 80-100 feet in length and NYC DOT expects to launch 20 microhubs over the next year.

Off-Hour Deliveries: NYC DOT’s Off-Hour Deliveries (OHD) program encourages goods delivery during the off-peak hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. in efforts to decrease congestion, double parking, and truck emissions. NYC DOT recently launched its OHD incentives program, offering one-time monetary reimbursements to help businesses make the switch to off-peak deliveries. For more information visit nyc.gov/ohd.

Commercial Cargo Bikes: Another initiative to address last-mile deliveries in NYC is NYC DOT’s Commercial Cargo Bicycle Program, which encourages companies to use cargo bicycles to make local deliveries by allowing participants to load and unload in commercial vehicle loading zones and at designated cargo bicycle corrals.

LockerNYC: NYC DOT launched the LockerNYC year-long pilot program this past April to give New Yorkers a safe and secure option for package deliveries and returns to cut down on package thefts and reduce the number of delivery truck trips.

Automatic Camera Enforcement: The city is also enhancing double parking enforcement through its Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) program. In partnership with the MTA, over 1,000 buses across dozens of routes are equipped with cameras that automatically capture double parking violations and bus lane obstructions. Once captured by the cameras, video, images, license plate, location and time stamp information are then transmitted to NYC DOT for review and processing.

NYC DOT’s siting of loading zones is rooted in community feedback. Local Law 168 of 2021 requires NYC DOT to consider local input from community boards, elected officials, and the general public when locating new loading zones. The existing online platform provides a focused, user-friendly vehicle for this purpose.

Additional information about NYC DOT’s loading zone expansion efforts and a map of current loading zones is available at nyc.gov/Loading.

A screenshot of the NYC DOT nyc.gov/Loading web platform. Image Credit – NYC DOT

STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER YDANIS RODRIGUEZ ON THE SIGNING OF THE CONGESTION PRICING (VPPP)

The New York City Department of Transportation Has Signed the Value Pricing Pilot Program Agreement Needed To Launch the Nation’s First Congestion Pricing Program This January

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez issued the following statement regarding his signing of the Value Pricing Pilot Program Agreement (VPPP) to launch congestion pricing in Manhattan. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will administer congestion pricing, known as the Central Business District Tolling Program, in partnership with NYC DOT, NYS DOT, and the US DOT.

“Congestion pricing will reduce traffic, improve our air, and raise critical funding for our subways and buses,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “This nation-leading program will help us build a healthier, safer city — while making it easier than ever for New Yorkers to access Manhattan without a car.”

LAST CALL: RESTAURANTS MUST REMOVE ROADWAY OUTDOOR DINING SETUPS BY END OF DAY FRIDAY OR FACE PENALTIES

The Roadway Outdoor Dining Season Ends on November 29 and Will Resume April 1; Sidewalk Dining Stays Open All Year

Need Storage or Rentals? Explore Solutions With the Dining Out NYC Marketplace

Join Anytime: Dining Out NYC Applications Open Year-Round

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez reminds food service establishments that Friday, November 29, is the final day to remove roadway outdoor dining setups for the 2024 season. Businesses that fail to comply with the deadline will face violations of up to $1,000. Sidewalk-based outdoor dining setups that meet program guidelines may continue to operate year-round, while the roadway dining season will resume on April 1, 2025, as established by City Council legislation.

“New Yorkers came to enjoy outdoor dining during the pandemic and Dining Out NYC has made it a permanent, vibrant part of our streets,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “As the season for outdoor dining in our roadways draws to a close on November 29, I urge all businesses to act now and remove their setups to avoid costly violations.”

Dining Out NYC is the nation’s largest permanent outdoor dining program and, under legislation passed by the New York City Council, the roadway outdoor dining season operates annually from April 1 through November 29. Sidewalk outdoor dining remains year-round, along with important reforms to address key quality-of-life concerns.

Businesses must remove their roadway setups by the end of the day on November 29 to ensure compliance and avoid penalties. To help make it as easy as possible for restaurants to participate in outdoor dining next year, NYC DOT has created a Dining Out NYC Marketplace, which features products and companies offering storage, setup, removal, and rental solutions. The marketplace is an optional resource for restaurants.

As of Tuesday morning, NYC DOT has received license applications from 2,994 restaurants. This is more than double the amount of participating restaurants from the pre-COVID program.

Applications for Dining Out NYC remain open year-round, allowing restaurants to prepare for the next roadway dining season. The Dining Out NYC website features a Setup Menu with design options, and access to the marketplace for purchasing or renting outdoor dining materials. For more information and to apply for Dining Out NYC, visit nyc.gov/DiningOut.

Banner Image: Loading Zone. Image Credit – NYC DOT 

NYC DOT

The New York City Department of Transportation’s (NYC DOT) mission is to provide for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods in the City of New York and to maintain and enhance the transportation infrastructure crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life of our primary customers, City residents.