Tips for More Sustainable Shopping and Shipping This Holiday Season

Here’s what we’re doing to manage limited public space for deliveries

Vehicle load zones:

• We at SDOT manage and install vehicle load zones throughout Seattle.
• These are important spaces along the curbs to allow people reliable access to load and unload and also allow freight and commercial vehicles to deliver their goods in a safe and timely way.
• With Seattle’s growth in recent years, demand for these spaces has increased, and we’re working hard to make these spaces work efficiently while reducing the need to circle the block, whenever possible.

Upgrading commercial vehicle load zone permit program:

• In fall 2022, we applied for a $2 million federal “SMART” grant to extend our data-driven approach to commercial vehicle load zones and commercial vehicle permits.
• Our goal is to make the most efficient use of limited curb space in the city, including by adopting the latest industry data standard, known as the Curb Data Specification (CDS).
• We successfully won the grant alongside partners at the University of Washington Urban Freight Lab and the Open Mobility Foundation.

Supporting zero-emission freight and electric cargo bike deliveries in Seattle:

• To better understand how to advance freight decarbonization, we partnered with C40 Cities and Walker Consultants to conduct a study exploring opportunities to implement zero-emission loading zones and enable e-cargo bike delivery in Seattle.
• Through stakeholder outreach, research, interviews with peer cities, and data collection, we have identified policy, administration, and engagement considerations to begin implementation.
• Initial stakeholder outreach revealed that the Seattle business community is interested in and excited to move towards zero-emission options but may need program assistance from the City.