UES Transportation Survey Results

Upper Green Side

Glenn McAnanama, President

Background

• The Transportation sector is a large source of ground level pollution and fossil fuel usage on the Upper East Side.

• In order to determine what can be done to make transportation on the Upper East Side more sustainable, Upper Green Side decided to study the issue in a survey

• Upper Green Side received a $1,000 grant from Citizen’s for NYC to conduct a transportation survey

Survey Methodology

• Since the budget for conducting this survey was not enough to cover the costs of a random phone survey, we conducted this survey on the internet.

• The online tool we used was SurveyMonkey which offered a good flat monthly price and good protections against repeat visits (only one response per IP address)

• 266 Responses were collected from October to December 2007 with 213 respondents completing all required questions (demographic questions were optional

• Respondents were recruited using hand flyers that were distributed on the street and postings on our own website as well as Councilmember Garodnick’s and craigslist.

How to Use the Results

• Since the respondents were not randomly recruited for this survey, we tried to make it as representative of the neighborhood as possible comparing to census data.

• This survey should be used to generally appreciate the balance of opinion on a subject rather than an exact measurement of public opinion within a few percentages

Summary of Findings

• Upper East Side residents have a fairly green transportation profile itself, particularly when compared to the rest of the state & country outside Manhattan. In particular, people are much more likely to walk for daily activites like grocery shopping and take mass transit when commuting to work.

• However UES residents suffer the ill effects from lots of automobile traffic and congestion - Safety, noise and pollution issues. And they are not happy about it.

• Generally people here are supportive of congestion pricing and other novel ways of reducing the impact of traffic and congestion

• A great number of people would consider biking for their daily commute if the infrastructure (lanes, parking, showers) were in place.

Mass Transit & Walking Serve As Most Frequent Transportation Modes

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

PersonalAutomobile

Taxi

Walking

MassTransit

None 1-4 times5-9 times10-14 times15-19 times20-24 times25-29 times30 or more times

“In the average week how often would you say that you use…?” N = 241

Majority of Residents Use Fixed Dollar Amount Metrocards

4.70%

39.70%

55.60%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

WeeklyMetrocard

MonthlyMetrocard

Fixed dollaramount

“When you use mass transit what type of Metrocard do you normally use?” N = 241

Overwhelming Majority of Residents Walk to Buy Groceries

1.20%

0.80%

1.70%

2.50%

3.70%

4.60%

6.60%

78.80%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other

Taxicab

Bus

Subway

Bike

Car

Delivered

Walk

“How do you normally travel to buy groceries?” N = 241

Most Local Households Do Not Own An Automobile

3%

2%

26%

69%

1%

3%

26%

70%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Three or more

Two

One

Zero

Census

Survey

“How many automobiles do you own?” N = 241

More than Half of Local Households Own At Least 1 Bicycle

7.50%

13.30%

31.10%

48.10%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Three ormore

Two

One

Zero

“How many Bicycles do you own?” N = 241

51.9% Own At Least One Bicycle

Residents Overwhelmingly Believe Auto Drivers Should Be Re-Assessed More Frequently

8%

30%

1%7%

14%

25%15%

Every 2 years

Every 5 years

Every 10 years

After age 65

After a moving violation

Never

Other (please specify)

“How often should drivers be re-tested to assess their skills and safety techniques after they receive their license?” N = 209

Majority of Commuters Would Bike Some of the Time With Proper Infrastructure

61%

39% Yes

No

“If you had access to on street bike lanes, secure bike parking at home & work, and shower facilities at work, would you ride you commute to work by bicycle

at least some of the time?” N = 241

1990 Bike Master Plan Survey: ~50%http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/bike/mp.shtml

Traffic Jams, Conditions for Cyclists and Overcrowding Top List of Complaints

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Lack of Access to Mass Transit

Crowded Sidewalks

Conditions of Streets and Highways

Truck Traffic in the City

Slow Moving Buses

Overcrowding on Mass Transit

Conditions for People on Bicycles

Traffic jams and back-ups

Major Problem

Moderate Problem

Minor Problem

Not a Problem

“How much of a problem do you consider the following to?” N = 232

Automobile Pollution & Noise, Dangerous Conditions for Cyclists Considered Local Problems

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Automobiles Speeding

Dangerous conditions for pedestrians

Lack of Automobile Parking

Traffic Jams and back-ups

Noise from Automobiles

Dangerous conditions for bicyclists

Pollution from Automobiles

Problem

Not a Problem

“How much of a problem do you consider the following to?” N = 233

Noise Most Often Impacts Residents When They Are Walking or Shopping in their Neighborhood

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Eating a Meal

Watching TV

Talking at Home (to

others/on thetelephone)

Working at Home

Shopping in

Neighborhood

Walking inNeighborhood

Often

Sometimes

Never

“How often does the traffic noise on your street bother you when you are doing the following?” N = 233

Subway and Walking are Dominant Modes of Commuting to Work

2%

2%

2%

3%

13%

20%

59%

3%

6%

8%

18%

63%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Car - shared

Work at Home

Taxicab

Car - solo

Bus

Walk

Subway

CensusSurvey

“If you commute regularly how do you normally travel? N = 172

Bus Commuting not separated in Census

Commutes Average a Half Hour Walkers Have Quickest Commute

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Bus

Subway

Walking

Total

0-10 minutes

11-20 minutes

21-30 minutes

31-40 minutes

41-50 minutes

51-60 minutes

over 60 minutes

Average Time: 32.8 minutes

23.8 min

36.5 min

35.5 min

32.8 min

Walking Most Pleasant Mode of Commuting, Subway Most Unpleasant

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Subway

Bus

Walk

Total

Extremely Pleasant

Moderately Pleasant

Neither Pleasant norUnpleasantModerately Unpleasant

Extremely Unpleasant

Traffic Heaviest On Streets Mornings and Afternoons

16%

14%

10%

41%

51%

23%

16%

71%

0% 10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

About the same all the time

Weekend (Saturdays and Sundays)

Late Night (11pm-6am)

Evenings (7-11pm)

Afternoon (4pm – 7pm)

After School (2pm – 4pm)

Late morning / Lunch (10-2pm)

Morning commute (6am-10am

“At which of these times is the traffic noticeably heavy on your street when you are at home?” N = 232

Residents Want Trees, Well Maintained Sidewalks and Bike Lanes on their Streets

15%

17%

23%

23%

28%

30%

30%

33%

39%

41%

54%

65%

66%

72%

74%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Other (please specify)

Dedicated Disabled Parking

Taxi Stands

Narrow Street / Widen Sidewalk

Pick-up / Drop-Off Zones

Free Parking

All Way Pedestrian Crossing Time

Speedbumps Near Schools

Red Light Cameras

Street Cleaners

Highly Visible Crosswalks

Smooth Street Surface

Protected Bicycle Lane

Well Maintained Sidewalks

Lots of Trees

Which of the following features do you think streets in your neighborhood should have?” N = 209

Automobiles Running Red Lights Considered A Very High Priority

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Crossing at a "Don't Walk" sign.

Crossing the street mid-block outside thecrosswalk

Cyclist not having a bell

Cyclist running a red light

Automobile double parking

Cyclist not having lights at night

Cyclist going in the wrong direction on a oneway street

Idling an engine for more than 3 minutes

Cyclist riding on the sidewalk

Honking in a non-emergency situation

Automobile exceeding 30 mph on a city street

Automobile running a red light

Very High Priority

High Priority

Moderate Priority

Low Priority

No Priority

“Which priority should be given in enforcing these traffic safety laws?” N = 209

Local Residents Want Walking, Mass Transit, Cycling Modes to be Encouraged Over Taxis and Personal Autos

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Personal

Automobiles

Taxis

Buses

Cycling

Subways

Walking

Encourage More

Encourage Less

“Which modes of transportation do you think should be encouraged more or less in your neighborhood?” N = 233

Residents Would Target Double Parking and Volume Reductions to Relieve Congestion

22%

3%

3%

5%

20%

36%

59%

68%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Other

Increase the speed limit to allow cars to movefaster

Decrease the amount of time for pedestrians tocross the street

Widen the streets (using sidewalk space) tocreate more lanes of moving traffic

Reduce the amount of on street parking tocreate more lanes of moving traffic

Increase the number of traffic agents to directtraffic

Reduce the overall number of cars

Provide trucks a place to load and unload goodsto prevent double parking

“If the city decided to try to reduce the amount of traffic congestion in your neighborhood what do you think would

be the better ways to do this??” N = 209

Other Suggestions To Relieve Congestion

•Get traffic agents to actually direct traffic!•Make a tow-away zone•Create dedicated Bus lanes during certain hours for Bus Rapid Transit•Restrict hours cars/trucks can enter Manhattan.•Stagger hours for deliveries•Decrease traffic cops. They only create more delays.•System wide light optimization•Institute a fee by zones for all vehicles not owned by residents (as in the City of London)•Ticket TAXIS for double parking/stopping in cross walks.tying up traffic.•Enforce laws that are in place•Tax car ownership•Enforce existing laws•Require large truck to offload onto small trucks before entering the city center. •Permit Parking for Residents•Permit Parking for Residents Only•Provide more "City Parking Lots" at a reduced price. •Ticket aggressively for blocking the box•Create a Second Ave. Subway. Also, make buses more efficient.•Install 2-way bike lanes on Park Ave•Limit construction trucks•Only allow cars with 2+ riders to enter Manhattan•Enforce current moving violation laws (like blocking the box)•TRUCKS AND CONSTRUCITON WORK ONLY AT NIGHT..

•Find means of decreasing # of cars (e.g., charge tolls/increase existing tolls)•Institute HOV requirements at high volume times•Have dedicated truck lanes around the city•Tax incentives (benefits) for green behavior•Sync the lights on York Avenue like they are on 1st Avenue•Get rid of unregulated use of valuable real estate for free parking of private cars.•Enforce existing laws against double parking•BAN ALL TRUCKS LONGER THAN 3 AXELS (6 WHEELS)•Congestion pricing, replacing on-street car parking with physically protected bike lanes, bike parking facilities•Make the east side bicycle friendly•Close 79th st SB entrance to FDR•Get people out of their cars and in Pubic Transit•Introduce congestion charging like London•Reduce parking but don't add traffic lanes (except bike lanes)•Reduce double-parking by any means necessary, especially in bus lanes•Change the time of street cleaning and alt. side parking•Widen sidewalks, create dedicated bike/bus lanes to reduce lanes of auto traffic•Charge tolls at every entrance and only allow very limited size trucks access anytime. No through trucks,. Large vehicles destroy the streets and make them noisy and dirty.•Make sure traffic agents do their jobs (many stand around)

Mass Transit Improvements & Congestion Pricing Means to Reduce Automobiles

26%

23%

24%

24%

36%

38%

42%

71%

69%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Other (please specify)

Increase the number of parking meters onside streets

Increase the price for meter parking

Reinstitute Sunday meter collections

Charge a fee for cars to cross theQueensboro Bridge

Charge a fee for cars to enter ManhattanSouth of 59th street

Charge a fee for cars to enter ManhattanSouth of 96th street

Increase mass transit options

Increase service on mass transit

If the city decided to try to reduce the number of personal automobiles driving through your neighborhood what do you think would be the better ways to do this? (check all that apply) n=198

Local Residents Believe that Targeting Automobile Moving Violations and More Visible Crosswalks

Keys to Pedestrian Safety

16%

22%

39%

41%

54%

69%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Other (please specify)

Use protective bollards to prevent carsfrom entering the sidewalk

Install lights at crosswalks mid-block onwide and long blocks

Have Pedestrian only crossing time

Increased visibility of crosswalks

Increased enforcement of automobilemoving violations

“If the city decided to try to increase pedestrian safety in your neighborhood what do you think would be the better ways to do this?” N = 209

Bloomberg’s Performance

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Increasing access topublic transportation

Increasing CyclistSafety

Increasing PedestrianSafety

Reducing traffic jamson city streets

highways and bridges

Reducing Noise

Reducing Airpollution

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Very Poor

“How would you rate Mayor Bloomberg’s Performance on…?” n = 209

Demographics

Demographics: Zip Code

41%

6%25%

4%

24%

10021

10022

10028

10044

10128

“What is your Zip code?” N = 262

Demographics: Age

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

under24

25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

Survey

Census

“What is your age?” N = 204

Demographics: Gender

54%

46%Female

Male

“What is your Gender?” N = 201

Census data:55% Female45% Male

Demographics

0%

1%

1%

7%

2%

47%

42%

2%

3%

8%

10%

3%

37%

37%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Less than 9th Grade

9th to 12th Grade

High SchoolGraduate

Some College

Associates Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Graduate orProfessional degree

CensusSurvey

Education

N=203

Demographics

5%

1%

1%

5%

13%

21%

15%

8%

12%

6%

3%

6%

7%

11%

18%

11%

13%

7%

18%

20%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

Less than $10,000

$10,000 to $14,999

$15,000 to $24,999

$25,000 to $34,999

$35,000 to $49,999

$50,000 to $74,999

$75,000 to $99,999

$100,000 to $149,999

$150,000 to $199,999

$200,000 or more

CensusSurvey

Incomes

N=169

Demographics: Disability

6%

94%

Yes

No

“Do you have a physical disability that prevents you from walking more than a mile?” N = 241

Census Data:13% With Disability