NYC Congestion Pricing Saves Lives: 60 Seconds Shaved Off Ambulance Response Times

New York City’s congestion pricing program is proving to be a lifesaver, reducing ambulance response times by 5-6% (63-70 seconds) and highlighting critical economic and health externalities. A National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) working paper analyzing 1.6 million EMS incidents found that ambulance travel times within the congestion relief zone dropped significantly after the toll took effect on Jan. 5, 2025. The study, led by economists including Brad Humphreys of West Virginia University, compared ambulance runs on either side of 60th Street to isolate the policy’s impact. While travel time to incidents decreased by 7-9 seconds, the majority of gains (54-59 seconds) came from faster hospital transport after patient stabilization. This aligns with prior research linking EMS response time to survival odds; a 2013 study by Elizabeth Wilde found each additional minute of response time raises 90-day mortality risk by 1 percentage point (8-17% relative increase). The policy also countered critics’ claims of traffic displacement, as camera data showed a 21% drop in passenger vehicles and 18% decline in trucks, alongside 14% and 20% increases in pedestrian and bike counts. These shifts mirror broader MTA data showing reduced congestion and improved mobility. A March 2025 FDNY directive requiring ambulances to transport patients to the nearest hospital introduced a technical challenge, but the boundary-based study design minimized its influence. The paper emphasizes overlooked benefits like air quality improvements and noise reduction, with potential economic valuations via EPA methodologies.

■1.6 million EMS incidents analyzed - Ambulance travel time reduced by 63-70 seconds - Pedestrian and bike counts rose by 14-20% - No evidence of traffic displacement north of 60th Street - FDNY hospital policy change did not skew results.

As urban centers globally evaluate congestion pricing, this study underscores the need for holistic cost-benefit analyses. Beyond traffic mitigation, policies reshaping urban mobility ecosystems could redefine emergency logistics, infrastructure investment priorities, and public health outcomes—particularly as autonomous vehicles and AI-driven traffic systems advance.