The system that monitors the traffic flow on the city’s roads is about to “take a quantum leap forward” by taking a long look back.
From their offices at Queens Plaza North, city Transportation traffic managers now have the ability to control congestion in Midtown Manhattan. The system, named “Midtown in Motion,” will also improve the flow of traffic over the East River, making it easier for drivers to get to and from Queens at peak hours.
The new system cost $1 million in city dollars and $600,000 in Federal Highway Administration funds and will make intelligent use of 100 microwave sensors, 32 video cameras and E-ZPass readers. The information will all come into a central office in Long Island City. When it does, it will be up to humans to make adjustments in traffic lights that will get traffic moving.
The information will not only be used by DOT engineers, but will also be available to drivers who can consider alternative routes.
Midtown in Motion will helps moms and dads get home more quickly to their families in Queens. It should also reduce exhaust pollution that pours from Manhattan into Queens.
But the technology of this new system would be useless without engineers who will interpret it and take appropriate action. This is the 21st century version of the traffic cop with a whistle.
A Sad Day for Public Education
A Manhattan judge who probably could not find Flushing on a map of Queens has ruled that the mayor can move forward with his plan to close 22 city schools, including Jamaica and Beach Channel high schools.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Paul Feinman ruled Friday that the city Department of Education can close the schools on the mayor’s hit list despite the strong and emotional opposition coming from the communities where these schools have been part of the neighborhoods for decades.
It is more proof that Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his Manhattan-based crew have worn out their welcome. They have no idea what these schools mean to the communities they serve.
We trust the NAACP and the teacher’s union will appeal the decision and delay this action until Bloomberg gets his walking papers.
