Friday, September 20, 2024 A new report suggests that the worsening traffic congestion in Manhattan has led to emergency response times reaching record highs. This issue, which has been gradually intensifying, has major implications for both the safety of residents and the experience of visitors to the city. State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and former city Traffic Commissioner Sam Schwartz, known as “Gridlock Sam,” unveiled this report, revealing that vehicle speeds in Midtown and lower Manhattan are slower than ever before, causing delays in emergency responses across all agencies.
Utilizing GPS data from taxis and other for-hire vehicles, the report estimates that vehicular traffic in Midtown moves at a snail’s pace, averaging just 4.8 mph. The traffic speed for all of Manhattan south of 60th Street is only slightly better, at 6.
9 mph. This slow movement is having an alarming impact on emergency response times, including those for ambulances, police vehicles, and fire trucks. The report, expected to be released officially on Friday, comes just days before the start of the United Nations General Assembly, which annually causes a surge in traffic congestion in Manhattan.
The timing highlights the critical nature of the issue, as dignitaries arrive and security cordons further restrict movement, contributing to the already dire traffic situation. In recent years, Manhattan has seen a marked increase in emergency response times, a trend that mirrors the growing congestion.