NEW YORK -- New York City drivers waste hundreds of thousands of miles just looking for a parking space.

That's the finding of a new study by the group Transportation Alternatives.

The study estimates that circling for a space burns $130,000 a year in gas -- not to mention about 50,000 hours of the drivers' time. And the resulting emissions hurt the environment.

Assemblywoman Linda B. Rosenthal is urging the city's Department of Transportation to explore changes in the parking meter system.

Transportation Alternatives says higher metered parking rates during peak hours might boost turnover and create more vacancies. It says that could ease congestion and reduce double-parking.

______ On the Net: Transportation Alternatives: www.transalt.org/