Research Projects
Start Date: December 2017
Funding: City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)
Project Budget: $50,000
Summary:
This study explored locating common carrier lockers at or near three of Seattle's Link Light Rail stations. The Urban Freight Lab developed multi-factor criteria to evaluate placing common carrier locker systems on public property and applied it to evaluate potential sites at or near three of Seattle's Link Light Rail stations and the Transit-Oriented Development areas near them. Mobility hubs aim to consolidate multiple modes of transportation – bicycles, ride shares, trains, and buses – within well-designed, well-connected public spaces containing ample community amenities.
This study explored locating common carrier lockers at or near three of Seattle's Link Light Rail stations. The Urban Freight Lab developed multi-factor criteria to evaluate placing common carrier locker systems on public property and applied it to evaluate potential sites at or near three of Seattle's Link Light Rail stations and the Transit-Oriented Development areas near them. Mobility hubs aim to consolidate multiple modes of transportation – bicycles, ride shares, trains, and buses – within well-designed, well-connected public spaces containing ample community amenities.
Start Date: August 2019
Funding: Seattle Public Utilities
Project Budget: $50,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
The Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics Center (SCTL) is conducting collaborative research with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) to explore and share innovative approaches for moving, storing, and redistributing surplus food. Transportation, storage, and logistics have been key operational barriers to increasing rescued food. SPU commissioned SCTL to create a shared data-driven understanding of the logistics of food rescue in Seattle. The purpose of this project is to reduce waste and increase access and food quality for customers of food banks and meal programs. Research will be conducted with both businesses that donate food and the organizations that receive it.
The Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics Center (SCTL) is conducting collaborative research with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) to explore and share innovative approaches for moving, storing, and redistributing surplus food. Transportation, storage, and logistics have been key operational barriers to increasing rescued food. SPU commissioned SCTL to create a shared data-driven understanding of the logistics of food rescue in Seattle. The purpose of this project is to reduce waste and increase access and food quality for customers of food banks and meal programs. Research will be conducted with both businesses that donate food and the organizations that receive it.
Start Date: March 2024
Funding: Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Project Budget: $50,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
The Urban Freight Lab partnered with Net Zero Logistics, the City of Boston, and the Boston Transportation Department on an e-cargo bike delivery program with the goal of supporting local businesses, reducing pollution, easing traffic congestion, and improving street safety.
The Urban Freight Lab partnered with Net Zero Logistics, the City of Boston, and the Boston Transportation Department on an e-cargo bike delivery program with the goal of supporting local businesses, reducing pollution, easing traffic congestion, and improving street safety.
Start Date: January 2019
Funding: City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)
Project Budget: $50,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
The Ballard Cordon Data Collection for Trucks and Cars is an analysis research project to be conducted by the Urban Freight Lab for the City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).
The Ballard Cordon Data Collection for Trucks and Cars is an analysis research project to be conducted by the Urban Freight Lab for the City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).
Start Date: January 2020
Funding: Amazon
Project Budget: $50,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
Through synthesis of existing literature and interviews conducted with private and public stakeholders, this project aims to provide an overview of the barriers to achieving sustainable urban freight. The research will highlight key strategies that can enable sustainable last mile delivery in the urban environment and, importantly, outline the specific roadblocks to carrying out those strategies. This will help companies and public entities form sustainability plans and understand where collaboration between the two sectors in needed.
Through synthesis of existing literature and interviews conducted with private and public stakeholders, this project aims to provide an overview of the barriers to achieving sustainable urban freight. The research will highlight key strategies that can enable sustainable last mile delivery in the urban environment and, importantly, outline the specific roadblocks to carrying out those strategies. This will help companies and public entities form sustainability plans and understand where collaboration between the two sectors in needed.
Start Date: May 2024
Funding: US Department of Transportation SMART grant
Project Budget: $45,000
Summary:
This project will test an innovative set of incentives and regulations to better understand what technology and strategies municipalities can use to support and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the freight sector.
This project will test an innovative set of incentives and regulations to better understand what technology and strategies municipalities can use to support and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the freight sector.
Start Date: December 2021
Funding: City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)
Project Budget: $32,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
This project will build upon a previous Urban Freight Lab study (funded by the U.S. Department of Energy) that was aimed at improving commercial vehicle delivery efficiency generating and providing real-time and future parking information to delivery drivers. In this subsequent study, researchers will build upon the knowledge developed and the existing network of parking occupancy sensors installed in a 10-block study area in the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, to explore how historical parking occupancy data can be used by urban planners and policymakers to better allocate curb space to commercial vehicles. We will use data from the sensor network and explore the relationship between the built environment (location and characteristics of establishments and urban form) and the resulting occupancy patterns of commercial vehicle load zones and passenger load zones in the study area.
This project will build upon a previous Urban Freight Lab study (funded by the U.S. Department of Energy) that was aimed at improving commercial vehicle delivery efficiency generating and providing real-time and future parking information to delivery drivers. In this subsequent study, researchers will build upon the knowledge developed and the existing network of parking occupancy sensors installed in a 10-block study area in the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, to explore how historical parking occupancy data can be used by urban planners and policymakers to better allocate curb space to commercial vehicles. We will use data from the sensor network and explore the relationship between the built environment (location and characteristics of establishments and urban form) and the resulting occupancy patterns of commercial vehicle load zones and passenger load zones in the study area.
Topics:
Curb ManagementThe Final 50 Feet of the Urban Goods Delivery SystemUrban Goods Delivery and Land Use
Curb ManagementThe Final 50 Feet of the Urban Goods Delivery SystemUrban Goods Delivery and Land Use
Start Date: March 2019
Funding: City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)
Project Budget: $30,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
The City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has engaged the Urban Freight Lab to conduct research on the impacts of a Freight- and Transit-only lane (FAT lane) that was in place in January 2019, during the closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct (a major thoroughfare) in Seattle and reduction of capacity in an already congested road network. The research findings will be used to understand the FAT Lane's performance towards achieving city goals and to guide development of future FAT Lane projects.
The City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has engaged the Urban Freight Lab to conduct research on the impacts of a Freight- and Transit-only lane (FAT lane) that was in place in January 2019, during the closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct (a major thoroughfare) in Seattle and reduction of capacity in an already congested road network. The research findings will be used to understand the FAT Lane's performance towards achieving city goals and to guide development of future FAT Lane projects.
Start Date: August 2023
Funding: City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)
Project Budget: $15,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
The Urban Freight Lab (UFL) was approached by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to complete a review of proposed evaluation criteria and propose a data collection plan in preparation for the implementation of a Freight and Bus Lane (FAB) Lane in Fall 2024 for King County Metro's Bus Route 40.
The Urban Freight Lab (UFL) was approached by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to complete a review of proposed evaluation criteria and propose a data collection plan in preparation for the implementation of a Freight and Bus Lane (FAB) Lane in Fall 2024 for King County Metro's Bus Route 40.
Start Date: November 2023
Funding: Impinj
Project Budget: $10,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
This collaborative effort will analyze the consequences of misloaded packages incidents in order to optimize delivery efficiency, minimize environmental impacts, and contribute to more efficient and environmentally sustainable urban freight practices.
This collaborative effort will analyze the consequences of misloaded packages incidents in order to optimize delivery efficiency, minimize environmental impacts, and contribute to more efficient and environmentally sustainable urban freight practices.
Start Date: October 2019
Funding: Seattle Flu Study
Summary:
The mission of the Seattle Flu Study (SFS) is to prototype city-scale capabilities for epidemic preparedness and response. One of the aims of this study is to understand methods to implement rapid interventions outside of clinical settings and within 48-72 hours of the onset of symptoms, to enable the immediate diagnosis, treatment, or isolation of flu-positive individuals.
The mission of the Seattle Flu Study (SFS) is to prototype city-scale capabilities for epidemic preparedness and response. One of the aims of this study is to understand methods to implement rapid interventions outside of clinical settings and within 48-72 hours of the onset of symptoms, to enable the immediate diagnosis, treatment, or isolation of flu-positive individuals.
Start Date: January 2022
Summary:
One of the disruptions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic was the reduction of in-store shopping, and the consequent increase in online shopping and home deliveries. In response, Cascade Bicycle Club started the Pedaling Relief Project (PRP) in 2020 — a nonprofit home delivery service run by volunteers using bikes to pick up food at food banks and deliver to food bank customers, among other services. The Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics Center (SCTL) and graduate Transportation Logistics students are undertaking a research study to analyze the transport and logistics system of the PRP and provide recommendations for operations improvement.
One of the disruptions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic was the reduction of in-store shopping, and the consequent increase in online shopping and home deliveries. In response, Cascade Bicycle Club started the Pedaling Relief Project (PRP) in 2020 — a nonprofit home delivery service run by volunteers using bikes to pick up food at food banks and deliver to food bank customers, among other services. The Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics Center (SCTL) and graduate Transportation Logistics students are undertaking a research study to analyze the transport and logistics system of the PRP and provide recommendations for operations improvement.
Start Date: January 2019
Funding: Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR), Province of British Columbia
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Other PI(s): Stephanie ChangCo-PI: Floris GoerlandtCo-PI: Ronald PelotCo-PI: David BristowCo-PI: Lina ZhouCo-PI: Cheng Lin
Summary:
This project aims to improve understanding of how coastal marine transportation systems would be disrupted in natural hazard events, how such disruption would impact coastal communities, and what strategies could effectively address this risk. Focusing on the movement of people and goods in the emergency response phase of a disaster, the study will develop new tools, information, and risk assessments to support preparedness planning by local and provincial governments and the transportation sector. The research will deliver: (1) workshops for engaging government and transport sector stakeholders; (2) a framework for assessing coastal community resilience to shipping disruption; (3) a simulation tool based on this framework; and (4) specific findings and recommendations for two case studies – a detailed analysis of catastrophic earthquake risk in British Columbia and exploratory analysis of hurricane risk in Atlantic Canada.
This project aims to improve understanding of how coastal marine transportation systems would be disrupted in natural hazard events, how such disruption would impact coastal communities, and what strategies could effectively address this risk. Focusing on the movement of people and goods in the emergency response phase of a disaster, the study will develop new tools, information, and risk assessments to support preparedness planning by local and provincial governments and the transportation sector. The research will deliver: (1) workshops for engaging government and transport sector stakeholders; (2) a framework for assessing coastal community resilience to shipping disruption; (3) a simulation tool based on this framework; and (4) specific findings and recommendations for two case studies – a detailed analysis of catastrophic earthquake risk in British Columbia and exploratory analysis of hurricane risk in Atlantic Canada.
Start Date: January 2019
Funding: Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR)
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Other PI(s): PI: Stephanie Chang (University of British Columbia)Co-PI: David Bristow (University of Victoria)Co-PI: Floris Goerlandt (Dalhousie University)Co-PI: Ron Pelot (Dalhousie University)Co-PI: Cheng Lin (University of Victoria)Co-PI: Linda Zhou (University of Victoria)
Summary:
A catastrophic earthquake could disrupt marine transportation across coastal British Columbia, severely affecting supply chains to coastal communities and emergency response capabilities. This project seeks to better understand such risks and develop effective resilience strategies for different types of coastal communities. It inquires into how disaster events would likely affect ports, marine transportation routes, and the associated movement of people and resources in the emergency response phase, and what strategies would be effective to alleviate potential consequences.
A catastrophic earthquake could disrupt marine transportation across coastal British Columbia, severely affecting supply chains to coastal communities and emergency response capabilities. This project seeks to better understand such risks and develop effective resilience strategies for different types of coastal communities. It inquires into how disaster events would likely affect ports, marine transportation routes, and the associated movement of people and resources in the emergency response phase, and what strategies would be effective to alleviate potential consequences.
Start Date: September 2017
Funding: City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PacTrans)
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
The UFL engaged multiple partners and funding sources to successfully pilot test a common carrier locker system (open to all retail and multiple delivery firms) in the 62-floor Seattle Municipal Tower skyscraper. The study tested the ability of these new mini-distribution centers to create delivery density and reduce the time delivery people have to spend in urban towers to complete the work. The Lab collected “before” and “after” data to evaluate the pilot's premise: that when delivery trucks can pull into a load/unload space that's close to a mini-distribution node with delivery density (lots of deliveries in one place), everyone benefits. UFL members UPS and the U.S. Postal Service participated in this pilot, so any package they delivered to the building went into the locker system. The pilot was open to the first 100 Municipal Tower tenants who signed up to use the lockers from March to April 2018.
The UFL engaged multiple partners and funding sources to successfully pilot test a common carrier locker system (open to all retail and multiple delivery firms) in the 62-floor Seattle Municipal Tower skyscraper. The study tested the ability of these new mini-distribution centers to create delivery density and reduce the time delivery people have to spend in urban towers to complete the work. The Lab collected “before” and “after” data to evaluate the pilot's premise: that when delivery trucks can pull into a load/unload space that's close to a mini-distribution node with delivery density (lots of deliveries in one place), everyone benefits. UFL members UPS and the U.S. Postal Service participated in this pilot, so any package they delivered to the building went into the locker system. The pilot was open to the first 100 Municipal Tower tenants who signed up to use the lockers from March to April 2018.