Title: A NON-TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO COLLECTING URBAN FREIGHT MOBILITY DATA
Abstract: Changing distribution and transportation strategies, e.g., just-in-time, continuous replenishment and reduced inventories have led to more frequent deliveries into the Central Business District (CBD). This has increased congestion causing higher costs and time in transit for carriers moving products into the CBD. Seventy-four Freight Mobility Interviews were administered to shippers (n=59) and carriers (n=15). Quantitative data collected included company profiles defined by product category; kind of transportation service; type of distribution channel; characteristics of dispatched truck trip; and time and cost for last leg of trip. Barriers to freight mobility were consistent across industry sectors. Logistics/distribution/transportation managers identified the following major freight mobility barriers: widespread congestion; theft/vandalism; physical constraints, e.g. inadequate docking space; insufficient curb space, limited parking and height restrictions in tunnels; and institutional barriers, e.g., excessive law enforcement for minor infractions, streets closed to trucks and restricted access to buildings. Recommendations to increase productivity in the CBD comprised off-peak and extended delivery hours; consolidation facilities, including mini consolidation facilities in buildings; and physical improvements, e.g. additional truck parking zones; and, changes in public policies, e.g., revised building codes that provide incentives to improve docking areas. Low-cost public sector initiatives that have the potential to increase the efficiency of urban goods movement follow: improve law enforcement to deter theft/vandalism; information-based improvements, e.g., accurate signage and the use of ITS to actively manage curbside commercial parking zones; create consolidation centers; and, improve road maintenance. The non-traditional methodology developed for collecting urban freight mobility data provided process-oriented data that reflects changing supply chain strategies of private sector shippers and carriers.
Publication Year: 1998
Publication Date: 1998-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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