More than ever, many major cities are relying on the financial boost that tourists bring to the local economy. But local residents are driven bonkers by window shopping, suitcase dragging, sightseeing tourists who clog sidewalks and cause sidewalk gridlock. It looks like London is now ready to do something about it.

Specifically, the New West End Company, an influential business group in the Oxford Street shopping district, is proposing a virtual shopping lane along the neighborhood store fronts in order to free up a fast track outside sidewalk lane for local residents and workers.

The scheme—part of a wider effort to spruce up London for the 2012 Olympics—would deploy a team of mobile Red Caps—who already provide information and guidance to visitors in the district—to diplomatically sort pedestrians by speed.

If the plan is successful in London, can NYC be far behind ?