University of Washington’s Urban Freight Lab launched one of the nation’s first zero operating emissions, last-mile delivery pilots in the Uptown neighborhood of Seattle, in collaboration with the Seattle Department of Transportation and tech and delivery companies including AxleHire, Coaster Cycles, BrightDrop and REEF.
Using zero operating emissions technologies, the pilot, called Seattle Neighborhood Delivery Hub, allows last-mile solutions providers to more quickly and efficiently test new vehicles, delivery models and technologies.
These technologies are an important part of the city of Seattle’s strategy to reduce climate emissions outlined in its Transportation Electrification Blueprint, including the goal of transitioning 30% of goods delivery to zero emissions by 2030. The neighborhood delivery hub houses a kitchen, common-carrier parcel locker and cargo-bike delivery service.
The hub and associated transport modes are equipped with sensors that track activity. This data will be analyzed by the Urban Freight Lab to evaluate energy reductions and provide feedback for all participants as they work to improve their products and operating models.