Tri-State Transportation Campaign (TSTC) conducted a comprehensive analysis to assess the impact of Congestion Pricing on commuters across 217 legislative districts in New York and New Jersey. The study relied on a range of reliable data sources to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the evaluation.

The primary data sources utilized in this analysis were the U.S. Census American Community Survey (ACS) 2022 5-Year Estimates and the Census Transportation Planning Products (CTPP) 2012-2016 5-Year ACS Data. The ACS dataset provided extensive information on demographics, economic indicators, and commuting patterns, which was essential for understanding the socioeconomic characteristics of the affected population. The CTPP data offered valuable insights into transportation planning and commuting behaviors, enabling a thorough evaluation of the potential impacts of Congestion Pricing.

To supplement these primary sources, TSTC also drew upon data from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT). The MTA provided specific information on the congestion pricing zone, including toll rates, exemptions, and projected revenue, while the NYC DOT contributed additional data on traffic patterns, public transit usage, and the geographic boundaries of the Congestion Relief Zone.

The analysis encompassed a wide geographic area, focusing on census tracts within New Jersey and key counties in New York. The data was aggregated to provide insights at various legislative levels, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the impact on different communities.

The study included all census tracts within the state of New Jersey, segmented by county, and focused on key counties in New York, such as New York (Manhattan), Bronx, Queens, Kings (Brooklyn), Richmond (Staten Island), Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, and Dutchess.

In total, the analysis covered 217 legislative districts, including:

• New Jersey:
  
  • 12 Congressional Districts
  • 40 State Legislative Districts
• New York:
  
  • 18 Congressional Districts
  • 42 State Senate Districts
  • 105 State Assembly Districts

To provide a nuanced understanding of the impact of Congestion Pricing on different communities, the analysis focused on several key metrics:

1. Total Number of Workers Commuting to Jobs in Any Location
2. Number of Workers Who Drive Alone or Carpool to Jobs in the Manhattan CBD
3. Percentage of Workers Who Drive Alone or Carpool to Jobs in the Manhattan CBD
4. Percentage of All Workers in the District Who Are Not Affected by the Congestion Fee
5. Number of Workers Who Commute to Jobs in the Manhattan CBD by Public Transit
6. Percentage of Workers Who Commute to Jobs in the Manhattan CBD by Public Transit
7. Average Median Income of Workers Who Drive Alone to Jobs in Any Location
8. Average Median Income of Workers Who Commute by Public Transit to Jobs in Any Location
9. Percentage of Workers Who Commute More Than One Hour to Jobs in Any Location

By examining these metrics, TSTC aimed to provide a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the potential impacts of Congestion Pricing, addressing both the benefits and concerns raised by various stakeholders. The findings are intended to inform policymakers, stakeholders, and the public, emphasizing the importance of developing equitable and sustainable transportation solutions that consider the diverse needs of communities across the region.

Tri-State Transportation Campaign (TSTC) is a non-profit advocacy and policy organization dedicated to reducing car and truck dependency and promoting a more balanced, environmentally sound, and equitable transportation network in downstate New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Founded in 1993 by a coalition of environmental and planning organizations, TSTC has been at the forefront of transportation reform for over three decades. The organization employs a multifaceted approach that includes political and media advocacy, original research and analysis, litigation, and community organizing to influence transportation policy and planning.

TSTC’s mission is to create a sustainable transportation system that enhances mobility, economic vitality, and quality of life while reducing environmental impacts. The organization has a proven track record of success, having influenced significant policy changes such as the reduction of funding for road widening projects and the increase of subsidies for mass transit operations. TSTC’s efforts have been instrumental in shaping transportation policies that prioritize public transit, pedestrian safety, and environmental sustainability.

Liam Blank, an independent consultant with extensive data analysis and transportation policy experience, analyzed the congestion pricing impact on 217 legislative districts, created the corresponding fact sheets, and developed this webpage for TSTC.

Previously, Liam served as Policy & Communications Manager at TSTC, contributing his expertise in transportation planning and policy analysis to numerous projects focused on improving transit systems and promoting sustainable transportation.

Contact:

• Email
• LinkedIn

For further inquiries, contact the TSTC team at tstc@tstc.org.

Image & Video Credits

• Liam Blank
• Marc A. Hermann / MTA
• Shinya Suzuki
  
• joiseyshowaa
• Rosanna Arias
• Paul Krueger
• Share Alike
• Street Lab (Uni Project)
• Flickr4Jazz@yahoo.com
• DALL-E 3 / OpenAI