Business indices play a c r i tical role in summarizing the business conditions of the economy and
indicating the forthcoming of phase changes in business cycle. The useful indices should accurately reflect
the business reality and dynamic changes of the economy. In the pas t decades , signi ficant indus t ry
t ransformation from manufacturing to services has been observed in both New York State/Metro area and the
ent i re nation. The share of goods in US GDP has declined from 54% to 35% and the share of services has

In this study, we investigated how pedestrian traffic contributes to our State?s
economy, and what benefits walk trips or walk trips linked with other travel modes (e.g.,
cars, transit, bicycles, etc.) have for retail sales within communities located on the State
Highway Touring Route System. In New York State there are more than 180 Central
Business Districts (CBDs) or 'Main Streets' located on the State Highway Touring
Route System [1]. However, there is very little data available on the value of these

Momentum is growing for an ambitious round of investments in transportation projects in New
York City. At a time of fiscal crisis, and uncertainties over the direction of the economy in
Lower Manhattan and the city as a whole, new transportation infrastructure is increasingly being
seen as critical for the city?s future. Buoyed by calls from elected officials and civic and
business groups, a wide array of government agencies ? including the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority, the Port Authority, New Jersey Transit, the New York State

The New York State Department of Transportat ion (NYSDOT) is developing a comprehensive set of measures
that l i nk investments i n t ransport a tion to the general economic performance of the New York State Economy.
The agency wo u l d l i k e to understand in particular how NYSDOT investments singul a rly or in concert wi th
investments by State and Local governments and Public Agencies/Author i t ies could improve economic
competi t i veness.

As more and more people have forsaken city-center activities in favor of out-of-town shopping malls and business parks, many downtown areas in the United States have been allowed to fall into neglect. Will Central Business Districts (CBDs) or 'Main Streets' survive these forces? Unless proper measures are taken and necessary investments made now, the future of Main Streets may be in danger. Is it worth investing in Main Streets in New York State?

The vitality of New York City?s economy is highly dependent on a modern, efficient mass transportation
system that connects the city?s current and future centers of employment to the regional labor pool. The
availability and adequacy of mass transit are major factors in business location decisions, driving demand
for commercial real estate and dictating patterns in job growth. Despite their critical importance to business
and economic development, major investment decisions on transportation projects are typically made without