Suburbanizing the city: how New York City parking requirements lead to more driving

Abstract

This study finds that New York City's residential off-street parking requirements encourage car ownership and use, and contradict City sustainability goals which seek to reduce traffic, air pollution and carbon emissions. The parking requirements also undermine city policies which seek to improve public transit and conditions for cycling and walking. Furthermore, the study reveals that New York City's parking policy is ad-hoc and not consistent with sustainability goals or efforts to reduce everyday traffic congestion on city streets. Parking is a fundamental part of the street and highway system. It is also a key determinant of individuals' decisions to drive or own a car. Previous research shows that limiting the parking supply in a central business district results in more transit use and less driving. Studies also show that increasing the parking supply in a central business districts results in less transit use and more driving. This report looks at the residential end of the trip, and is the first to examine how the availability of residential parking, especially that required by the zoning code, affects car ownership and driving in New York City.

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