Mobility efficiency strategies are policies, programs, and designs that enable people to reach destinations with less reliance on single occupant vehicle trips. This report (1) describes the variety and prevalence of mobility efficiency strategies nationally and in New York State; (2) summarizes the economic, environmental, health, safety, and equity impacts of the described mobility efficiency strategies; (3) details available analytical tools estimating economic and environmental benefits; and (4) identifies knowledge gaps. Through structured literature review, synthesis, and analysis of public data, the report underscores that a growing body of research demonstrates significant benefits from mobility efficiency strategy implementation, although these benefits are highly context dependent. Additionally, the report finds that land-use planning is foundational to expanding mobility efficiency—dense, mixed-use zoning and development enables more efficient and effective provision of public transportation, walking, and biking infrastructure, in addition to strengthening the effectiveness of pricing policies.
The report finds that four areas of additional research would be helpful to transportation agencies and policymakers in New York: field research specific to a range of community types in the State, analysis of impacts on a broader range of business types, analytical tools to estimate potential economic impacts of strategies, and research into the combined impacts of the strategies. Subsequent phases of this project will address some of these gaps through field research and original data analysis. Research applications, beyond informing the following stages of this project, include delivering a cogent state of play to NYSERDA and other state agencies to aid in investment strategy and program designs.
