The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced funding of $1.6 million for seven cost-shared research projects that reduce congestion and petroleum fuel use and increase the efficiency of New York’s existing transportation systems.
These funds will support the development and demonstration of advanced technologies to ease traffic congestion while enhancing the State’s economy and quality of life. The investment, which includes $800,000 of federal funds, will leverage an additional $1.4 million of private-sector funds to provide a total of $3 million of investments.
In spite of a world-class, energy-efficient downstate transit system, New York State is currently dependent on petroleum for a majority of its transportation needs. In 2008, the State’s transportation sector was responsible for 76 percent of petroleum consumption and 39 percent of greenhouse gas production, the single largest sector in either category. (http://www.nyserda.org/Energy_Information/fastfacts.pdf)
The projects include:
- Real-Time Traffic Monitoring on I-87 Northway (Albany to Clinton Counties) $790,736.
- Smart Roadside Inspection System (Rensselaer County) $373,490.
- Community-Wide Ride Sharing Program (Tompkins) $179,000.
- Advanced Traffic Control Signals (Nassau County) $325,818.
- Traffic Management Study of I-87 Major Deegan Expressway (Bronx County) $143,722.
