A Data-Driven Path to Freight Zero Emission Zones

Freight zero emission zones (ZEZ) have the potential to help cities achieve their greenhouse gas (GHG) targets by spurring truck electrification and urban efficient technologies and operations— specifically for last-mile delivery. However, key guiding questions remain regarding the nature of last-mile delivery activity, including the truck type, quantity, and origin/destination. This study aims to address these questions through a data-driven approach, focusing on the City of Seattle and targeted transferability for other cities. An integration of traffic video data and "Big Data" sources (StreetLight Data and UberMedia) provided an innovative way to understand freight activity in Seattle in order to evaluate potential ZEZs and advance freight electrification planning efforts. Traffic video data was used to identify various freight vehicle types (trucks, delivery vans), while "Big Data" provided insight on freight trip totals, trip length, vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and typical daily delivery trip patterns. Most notable freight activity was reported in the Duwamish Valley and Downtown area, substantiated by the high proportion of distribution centers for freight and goods delivery (FedEx, Amazon, etc.) in the Duwamish Valley and the high density of commercial activity in the Downtown area. Designating a freight-focused ZEZ in either of these areas would have the most impact. However, a more detailed examination from a transportation equity standpoint was warranted for the Duwamish Valley, which consists of underserved communities. Exploring and analyzing the utilized data sources sparked several questions, which prompted further research to refine assumptions and address limitations.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Web
  • Features: Figures; Tables;
  • Pagination: 21p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01857857
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: TRBAM-22-01913
  • Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
  • Created Date: Sep 16 2022 8:40AM