nymtc regional freight plan - New York Metropolitan Transportation ...

A Freight Plan for the NYMTC Region
Transportation Impacts
PIDN annual volume targets for the year 2020 are forecast to be 1,256,356 TEUs moved by
barge or rail. This is the equivalent of roughly 12.9 million tons or 585,000 trucks removed
from the highway system each year.
Other Impacts
There are demonstrable environmental benefits to PIDN, since increasing goods movement
by rail or barge would not contribute to highway congestion. There also likely are
economic benefits, since PIDN would promote freight-related businesses at dense trade
clusters, all of which are outside the region. Fully implementing PIDN can improve
regional connectivity for the region’s ports, particularly on the Northern and Southern
Crossings, I-95 NE Thruway, I-87/NYS Thruway, and Western corridors. There are no
major physical barriers to implementation, but engaging multiple state and local jurisdictions
along the I-95 corridor may prove a major institutional challenge, particularly since
operating subsidies will be necessary at start-up. The project often involves a novel application
of water and rail transport technology to create new intermodal and inter-port service
relationships beyond what is currently used in the region.
Responsible Organization/Action Plans
1. PANYNJ – Determine volume of tonnage moved on Albany barge service and estimate
reduction in freight truck volume.
2. PANYNJ – Work with prospective feeder port/rail partners to establish a viable business
plan for the introduction of PIDN services. Assess impacts as in #1 above.
Action 2 – Freight Ferries
Description
Several proposals have been advanced in recent years by both public and private interests
for regional truck ferry services, including service between JFK Airport and Hunts Point
Market in the Bronx and South Amboy in New Jersey. No operator has yet committed to
begin service. Services are also being considered to move domestic freight via freight ferries
between northern New Jersey and Boston, and between the New York metropolitan
region and ports at key market locations between Connecticut and Florida.
Transportation Impacts
Extensive analysis has not been undertaken of potential truck ferries.
Other Impacts
Truck ferries generally have a positive impact on the environment because they remove
trucks from regional highways. However, ferries may have a negative impact on communities
near terminals where truck traffic and ferries are concentrated. The major challenges
of truck ferries are institutional: attracting potential operators and estimating costs
and benefits. Which corridors are impacted depends on the specific services developed.
Cambridge Systematics, Inc. 5-21