Listen to Gridlock Sam: automated control of illegal parking could "fix New York's traffic hell" and (I say) relieve burden on streets near Barclays Center

In her 10/3/21 "Big City" column, the New York Times's Ginia Bellafante offered 8 or 9 Ways to Fix New York’s Traffic Hell Right Now, quoting several experts.

Curiously enough, the first expert quoted, "Sam Schwartz, engineer, consultant, former New York City traffic commissioner, creator of the term 'gridlock'," also offered a solution to the illegal parking and idling plaguing the neighbors within a few blocks of the Barclays Center arena:

You could also automate control of illegal parking. You could have cars getting summons immediately if they are illegally parked — the technology is there. It could be camera technology; it could be EZ Pass technology. Camera technology for illegal parking is actually being used by some buses when cars are blocking bus lanes. 

Schwartz, of course, was the guru behind the arena's Transportation Demand Management plan, which left no place for limos and other vehicles to idle, frustrating neighbors. His triumphant memoir ignored such uncomfortable details.

Rampant illegal parking and idling are the cost of arena operations, borne by locals. There's no city imperative to enforce the rules, which could raise significant funds--but would disturb the operation of an arena with a very tight fit.

And while Schwartz seemingly was referring more to bus lanes, and there might be a backlash against increased cameras, even partial enforcement could be a relief.

Don't hold your breath, however.