Economic and Safety Impacts of Long Island Greenway

The objectives of this project are to estimate the economic and safety impacts of Long Island Greenway (LIG) and to provide recommendations on how to maximize the benefits. Based on similar projects across the U.S., the LIG is expected to enhance property values in proximity (hence property tax revenues) because people are willing to pay for proximity to well-kept amenities, generate tourism and related local economic activities, and provide alternative commuting options at certain corridors. Greenways also provide safer pedestrian and biking paths that help improve traffic safety. Since benefits are based on per capita use, the magnitude of the benefits depends on the utilization. Hence, especially considering tourism and commuting, greenways require sufficient accessibility with public transit as well as facilities like parking spaces. To increase the utilization of LIG and maximize the economic and safety benefits, the identified benefits of trailways and greenways through literature will be benchmarked by several similar Long Island projects. The project team partnered with Suffolk County Department of Public Works (SCPW) to obtain the real-estate and business activity records as well as traffic safety data around similar facilities. In parallel, the project team will survey the LIG path through GIS and aerial imagery to document the existing transportation infrastructure (e.g., parking spaces, transit stop). Accordingly, potential accessibility barriers will be identified and recommendations will be provided to increase the total benefits of LIG.