Downtown Truck Traffic: A Challenge for Saratoga Springs

By Ian Elphick, Sustainable Saratoga Summer 2024 Intern

Saratoga Springs is a pleasant city that is centered around store fronts and people being able to walk up and down Broadway. Vehicular traffic is normally busy but the wide sidewalks and numerous crosswalks support pedestrian walkability. This pedestrian access and the hustle and bustle make for a vibrant downtown area.

However, there is one aspect of the street traffic that is not pleasant: the number of 18 wheelers that drive down Broadway, which is the center of downtown and runs north-south, and Church and Van Dam Streets (download a traffic volume report here), which feed into Broadway and run east-west. Both are state highways that allow truck through traffic. This traffic has been a source of concern for both locals that live downtown and downtown business owners, as well as those who go downtown as either area residents or visitors. Some are worried about the effect that vibrations caused by trucks have on older, historic, houses and buildings, due the loud engines and brakes, and the weight of the passing trucks. This might affect building foundations.

Then, there is the concern of pollution: the average 18-wheeler gets 7 MPG city, and each gallon of diesel burned produces about 10,069 grams of CO2. This means that the average 18-wheeler driving through downtown Saratoga produces 1,438 grams of CO2 per mile compared to the average which gets 25 mpg producing 355 grams of CO2 per mile. Being a high-density area with families with children this raises a concern for families, as 20% of the population of Saratoga is between the ages of 0-19. In addition to the climate impacts, neighboring residents living near these truck routes will also notice the effects of air pollution from other components of diesel exhaust, including nitrogen oxides, ozone, and particulates.

Another concern is the noise level, as 18 wheelers can emit decibels of up to 100. Exposure to this level of noise for more than 30 minutes can cause hearing damage; the number of minutes that causes hearing damage is cumulative, so if a person hears 30 minutes in total over the course of, for example, a week, damage may result. And for a town of almost 29,000 people in an area of 28 square miles with hundreds to thousands of trucks per day that’s a lot of noise and pollution in a highly populated area, especially for those living along the streets where they drive.

This issue is not a new one, it has been going on for years. However, by spreading awareness of the issue we can work together to try and figure out a solution that includes residents and truckers alike.

This video from The Daily Gazette highlights residents’ frustrations

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PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release 4/4/24

Sustainable Saratoga and Skidmore College team up for the Saratoga Sustainability Fair on Saturday, April 13

Media Contact: Beth Plummer; beth@sustainablesaratoga.org

Sustainable Saratoga and Skidmore College are partnering once again to host the Saratoga Sustainability Fair on Saturday April 13th, 2024, from 10am-3pm at the Skidmore Case Center. This FREE family friendly event will allow attendees to explore the latest in eco-friendly topics and innovations and gives kids the opportunity to dive into fun and learning all day.

Highlights of the 2024 Saratoga Sustainability Fair include:

• Pre-fair Campus Bike Ride from 9-10am hosted by Adirondack Ultra Cycling.
• Riders can bring their own bikes or grab a CDPHP pedal or e-bike share on campus.
• Electric car and e-bike show as part of the City of Saratoga Springs’ NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities Campaign
• Kids zone with fun activities for kids of all ages from 10am-12pm
• Workshops and panel discussions on important sustainability topics including regenerative agriculture and the impact of plastics
• Food vendors
• Exhibit Hall featuring businesses and nonprofits in energy, climate, equity, environmental education, and more

Kelsey Trudell, Executive Director of Sustainable Saratoga says about the ongoing partnership, “We are so excited to co-host the Sustainability Fair again with Skidmore College. It’s going to be a great event to build community around local sustainability initiatives!”

Attendees are encouraged to be climate smart and ride a bike or take public transportation to the event. The 452 CDTA bus runs from Wilton Mall, through Saratoga Springs, and stops right at the Fair. Car parking will also be available. For more about the event and activity schedule, visit https://sustainablesaratoga.org/2024-saratoga-sustainability-fair/

About Skidmore College

Founded in 1903, Skidmore College is a highly selective private, coeducational liberal arts college of about 2,600 students. Skidmore is consistently named one of the “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” by U.S. News and World Report and has recently been recognized as one of “America’s Most Entrepreneurial Colleges” by Forbes, a “Top College Value” by Kiplinger and one of “The Best 388 Colleges” by The Princeton Review. Travel and Leisure has also called Saratoga Springs, home to Skidmore’s campus, one of “America’s Best College Towns.

About Sustainable Saratoga

Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area. Since 2008, Sustainable Saratoga has been a leader in promoting awareness of environmental issues and what we as a local community can do to minimize our ecological impact while maintaining a high quality of life. To learn more about Sustainable Saratoga, visit: https://sustainablesaratoga.org/