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
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