The University of Washington’s Urban Freight Lab (UFL) is working with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) on a zero operating-emissions, last mile delivery pilot. Delivery companies AxleHire, Coaster Cycles, BrightDrop, and Reef are also participating.
The Seattle Neighborhood Delivery Hub enables last-mile solutions providers to more quickly and efficiently test new vehicles, delivery models, and technologies. These zero-emission technologies are an integral part of the city’s strategy to reduce climate emissions, with the goal of transitioning 30% of goods delivery to zero emissions by the year 2030.
“Over 60% of Seattle’s greenhouse gas emissions comes from transportation, so we must change how we move around in order to meet our commitment to become carbon neutral by 2050,” said Sam Zimbabwe, director, Seattle Department of Transportation. “Rethinking how we deliver goods is a critical part of this, so we are excited to partner with University of Washington’s Urban Freight Lab and the private sector to find innovative solutions to meet our aggressive targets towards a more sustainable future.”
The neighborhood delivery hub houses a neighborhood kitchen for restaurant deliveries; a common-carrier parcel locker for secure and contactless package deliveries from all major package carriers; and, a cargo-bike delivery service enabling zero operating emissions last-mile goods transport.
The University of Washington’s Star Lab has provided an array of sensors that provide detailed data regarding activity. The data received from the sensors will be analyzed by the UFL to evaluate energy reductions and provide feedback.
“In partnership with our members, and the City of Seattle, the Urban Freight Lab is excited to help catalyze a transition to zero-emissions last mile delivery,” said Anne Goodchild, founding director, supply chain transportation and logistics center, which hosts the Urban Freight Lab. “We anticipate the pilot will reduce traffic in the uptown neighborhood, provide access to safe and convenient goods and services, and allow our partners to test novel, zero-emissions delivery solutions.”