Since New York City introduced congestion pricing in January 2025, the state has heralded significant reductions in traffic and rush hour delays, fewer crashes and noise complaints, and toll revenue projected to hit $500 million by the end of the year.
Since New York City introduced congestion pricing in January 2025, the state has heralded significant reductions in traffic and rush hour delays, fewer crashes and noise complaints, and toll revenue projected to hit $500 million by the end of the year.
Now, Cornell researchers have tallied the environmental benefits. In the first six months of the program, air pollution – in the form of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and smaller – dropped by 22% in the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ), which encompasses all local streets and avenues at or below 60th Street in Manhattan. The team also reported declines across the city’s five boroughs and surrounding suburbs.
The findings were published Dec. 8 in npj Clean Air. The study’s co-lead authors are Timothy Fraser, assistant teaching professor in the Systems Engineering Program in Cornell Engineering, and postdoctoral researcher Yeonkyeong Gina Park, Ph.D. ’24.
Read more at: Cornell University
Photo Credit: Leonhard_Niederwim via Pixabay
