Guest blogger RITA Administrator Peter Appel: NYC project uses off-hour deliveries to fight gridlock; a safe, effective model for cities across America

It’s an all-too-familiar scene in America’s urban communities: bustling city blocks are paralyzed by bumper-to-bumper traffic, as frustrated commuters and commercial vehicles try to navigate gridlocked intersections. Congestion is not only a growing problem; it’s also a costly one—robbing us of time and productivity, harming the environment, and hurting the bottom lines of businesses. 

There is no better example of this issue than in New York City. A thriving urban center and American icon of the global marketplace, NYC’s economy and quality of life is threatened by growing, pervasive congestion.

However, a pioneering project called the Off Hour Delivery Program has shown tremendous potential for getting New York moving again.  Developed through a DOT-sponsored collaboration between Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rutgers University, ALK Technologies, and New York University, this program explored the impact of commercial trucks making their deliveries during off-peak hours.

In Manhattan alone, there are over 100,000 freight deliveries each day. Much of those are wholesale, retail, and food shipments, which may not require daytime delivery. So an off-hours delivery solution that reduces truck idling and frees up curb space makes sense for many shippers and businesses.

And the results have been very promising: the data indicate that this schedule change is already easing gridlock along some of the most congested corridors in NYC. It's also helping businesses reduce costs. The Epoch Times reported that, "In some instances, the nighttime delivery trucks experienced an improvement in speed by as much as 75% as well as a significant reduction in parking fines."

RITA Administrator Peter Appel (far left) listens to NYC Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. Courtesy NYC DOT

Earlier this month, I attended a ceremony held by the NYC Department of Transportation, recognizing DOT, and others for “Leadership in Sustainability” in this groundbreaking project. Thus far, 25 businesses, including Foot Locker, Sysco, Whole Foods Market, and eight trucking companies, have participated. But the event also launched a campaign to encourage more businesses to sign on and see improved bottom lines.

This pilot effort is supported by years of research from the Research and Innovative Technologies Administration’s Remote Sensing Program, which looks at ways of using remote sensing technology to attack various transportation problems from freight congestion to road maintenance to clogged border crossings.

The off-hours delivery program seeks to create a self-sustaining urban freight management system that fights congestion by combining cutting-edge GPS technology with innovative traffic management. Participating businesses allowed GPS-equipped vehicles--or GPS-enabled devices in their vehicles--to capture data about how these off-peak--usually nighttime--deliveries impacted traffic patterns and saved businesses time and money.

We have made a major effort to ensure that DOT-sponsored projects that involve portable electronic devices such as smart phones do not promote the viewing or handling of the device by the driver while driving. The devices used in this program send data completely independent of any prompting or viewing by the driver. And they can be safely positioned well outside the reach or sight line of the driver.

So this is a great example of how available technology can be applied safely to solve transportation challenges.

This project is an innovative, cost-effective approach showing that 21st Century technology and collaboration between transportation agencies and businesses can be a win-win solution. New Yorkers and visitors to the city will spend less time in traffic, and businesses will spend less money on fuel and lost time.

Plus, everyone benefits from the environmental gains--lower fuel use and fewer emissions--we get when we reduce traffic congestion.

Yes, the Off-Hour Delivery Program is showing how research using remote sensing and spatial information technologies can achieve positive results for New York City. But, more importantly, it can also serve as a model for urban communities across America.

Comments

[Eneko Oraintxe]

The idea makes sense, of course. The only thing is: Where to deliver all these goods when companies are closed?

[Michael E. Bailey]

This is an idea that really works. Southern Califorhnia had the off=peak hours delivery program here during the Olympics in Los Angeles and it went great. Traffic was smoother thahn for many years before or anytime since because most trucks were making night time deliveries. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Jim R Hyde Jr]

Yes, it is all about the trucks blocking up the road and nothing to do with the 10 million people going to work in individual cars. How about promoting a safe mass transit system that is cheaper than owning a car. You have to make the people want to take it. As far as the off peak delivery program, it is fine and dandy for the people who don't have to partake in it. What happens to the truck driver once he/she are empty and their company doesn't have another load for them to pick up and they are stuck trying to find parking in and unfreindly and unfamiliar area, which the NYC Metro is both for truck drivers.

[kenny]

This is a great Idea. I go into the city alot and it's always straight up chaos. I think this should be done ASAP.

[Traffic school]

This is one of the most useful, in-depth articles that I have seen in a long time.Thanks for the information.

[Peter Cooper]

What about freight trams? The street car companies use to make deliveries at night. They made more money on such freight then on the passengers. Of course who needs main street when you have malls! Main street has morft in to a parking lot for office workers. If you want to reduce urban conjestion then use your feet.

[Traffic School]

Really a great idea! It clears the traffic.