Development of Current Travel Patterns
Existing traffic volume and commuter data were analyzed based on information obtained from the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Traffic Data Viewer and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC).
Demographic data were obtained from NYMTC and the U.S. Census.
Only interstate highways were included in the evaluation. Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) was used for both traffic forecasting and air quality assessment.
For the purposes of the forecast, a completion year of 2025 has been assumed.
The U.S. Census Journey to Work data were used to develop an estimate of the work trips between central Long Island and Westchester County.
Travel times between central Long Island and Westchester County were based on average weekday speeds as developed by NYMTC as part of its Transportation Models and Data Initiative.
Air Quality Assessment
NYSDOT emission factors were used to assess changes in air quality resulting from the project. The proposed project would result in fewer Vehicle Miles of Travel (VMTs), which provides a reduction in emissions (VOC, NOx, COx) and particulate matter (PM). A conservative estimate was used, which does not take into account reduced delays as a result of the project. The table below summarizes the air quality and energy benefits of the proposed project.
Emissions and Energy Changes
| |
No Build
(2025) |
With Cross Sound Link Tunnel |
2025 - Low |
Percent
Change |
2025 - High |
Percent
Change |
| VOC (volatile organic compounds, tons/day) |
1.99 |
1.74 |
-12.5% |
1.66 |
-16.6% |
| NOx (tons/day) |
2.65 |
2.32 |
-12.4% |
2.21 |
-16.6% |
| CO (tons/day) |
103.38 |
89.86 |
-13.1% |
85.28 |
-17.5% |
| PM 10 (tons/day) |
0.26 |
0.23 |
-11.5% |
0.22 |
-15.4% |
| PM 2.5 (tons/day) |
0.13 |
0.12 |
-7.7% |
0.11 |
-15.4% |
| CO2 (tons/day) |
1402 |
1226 |
-12.5% |
1167 |
-16.7% |
| VMTs |
10,816,600 |
9,459,600 |
-12.5% |
8,999,600 |
-16.8% |
Fuel
Consumption
(gallons/day) |
532,399 |
465,759 |
-12.5% |
443,169 |
-16.7% |
The conservative analysis shows that the Cross Sound Link Tunnel would have a noticeable effect in reducing vehicular emissions and greenhouse gases. As a result of reduced VMTs, the Cross Sound Link Tunnel would reduce fuel consumption by more than 24 million gallons per year, resulting is a reduction of CO2 emissions on the order of 175 – 235 tons per day. |
