Besieged by commuters taking Waze-powered shortcuts, Leonia, New Jersey, closed its side streets to non-residents. Not everyone is happy with the results.
Leonia's ordinance might be the most dramatic example of a town taking drastic measures to combat the effects of a disruptive mobility technology. It raises a host of thorny questions about the responsibilities of private companies when they impact public space, and how government can, and should, respond.
“Demographic explosion and the growth of urban areas are just going to make this problem worse,” said Bayen.
“It’s a real time bomb. There’s no doubt.”
See What Happens When a City Bans Non-Resident Drivers? (CityLab, 4/18/18)
See Why Some Cities Have Had Enough of Waze (US News & World Report, 5/7/18)