DRIVERS searching for parking on New York City's Upper West Side travel the equivalent of a one-way trip to the moon and spend more than US$130,000 on gasoline every year, according to a transport study.

The study, released by Transportation Alternatives, an organization that advocates biking, riding public transit and walking instead of driving, recommended that the city raise the price of some curbside parking at peak hours and run meters to reduce congestion.

"Chronic double-parking impedes deliveries, snarls traffic and further endangers pedestrians trying to cross the street," the study says. "Slow-cruising traffic conflicts with bicyclists, buses and other road users close to the kerb. All of these problems are inimical to healthy street life."

The neighborhood is home to the American Museum of Natural History and Lincoln Center. Boutiques and restaurants line its streets, reported Bloomberg News.

Yet street parking is at a premium as metered spots cost US$1.50 an hour, with a one-hour limit during the day, and nearby garages cost as much as US$15 an hour.

Cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles have raised the price of metered parking to lower peak demand.