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This article reports on transportation and traffic problems in New York City and how potential solutions have been inspired by policies and practices in London, England and Paris, France. The article describes changes in Paris since 2001, noting the conversion of an expressway into a beach, the elimination of on-street parking, and real-time scheduling for buses. The article also discusses ideas for reallocating pavement for bicycles and creating car-free streets in New York City.

The article focuses on the needed transportation goals for the year 2006 by the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT's approach to traffic planning depends on the outdated metrics that keep planners focused too much on moving automotive vehicles. The city should develop new longer-term and more performance targets that will reduce traffic congestion and increase biking, walking and transit use. A more visionary metrics should be used to build a solid foundation for a host of modern transportation strategies, such as congestion pricing, street transformations and parking policy that will give better conditions for biking, mass transit and walking. The city is targeting a decrease driving in Manhattan's Central Business District by 2010, shorten commute time and others.

The article focuses on the three achievable alternative traffic solutions that would reduce traffic congestion, clean the air and make New York City more livable and productive. The three traffic solutions are the following: end lawless parking, convert driving space into bicycling and walking space and raise the cost of on-street parking. The city should enforce existing laws that require city employees to follow the same traffic laws as the general public, by breaking down on parking permit forgery and eliminating profligate parking privileges. Presently, on-street parking fee on most streets ranges from free to 15 times cheaper than garage rates. When parking rates were competitive with private garages, then drivers would not double park and this would reduce traffic congestion.