Research Projects

Summary:
This project evaluates the impact of pedestrianization at Pike Place Market on vendors and delivery access, and analyzes how nearby traffic patterns change under the Market’s Vehicle Access Pilot.

Summary:
This project explores how micro-pantries—small, decentralized, community-run food pantries and fridges—can complement traditional hunger relief while reducing food waste. Our team is deploying wireless sensors, building a centralized information system, and collaborating with public health experts to improve food safety, efficiency, and access. This first-of-its-kind research aims to close gaps in food rescue and distribution by building a connected, hyper-local network that empowers communities to share safe, high-quality food.

Summary:
In December 2022, Mayor Bruce Harrell signed Executive Order 2022-07 directing City departments to work together to prioritize and expand actions that equitably reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) within the transportation sector. One of the actions the Mayor called for is to develop at least three low-pollution neighborhoods by Q1 2028. SDOT received a RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) federal planning grant to develop the implementation and funding plan to meet the Mayor’s commitment. SDOT...

Summary:
The Urban Freight Lab will implement wireless sensors in neighborhood micro-pantries to monitor inventory, expiration dates, and local demand and supply patterns, aiming to optimize food distribution and safe storage.

Summary:
This study will assess the health and equity impacts of policy interventions aimed at reducing traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) in Seattle and New York City, specifically within the context of ecommerce-related transport and land use. Using a model-based approach, the study will estimate how TRAP-related health effects vary across different population groups. It will also project future scenarios involving the adoption of low- and zero-emission commercial vehicles, as well as alternative locations and characteristics for warehouses and distribution centers.

Summary:
While goods movement is critical to social and economic welfare, it is often overlooked in the planning and design of Complete Streets. This work will develop national guidelines for cities to best design and manage Complete Streets mitigating freight conflicts and integrating freight behaviors.

Summary:
The Urban Freight Lab leads the technical research and policy work for the City Climate Innovation Challenge, developing tools and strategies to help U.S. cities implement and scale zero-emissions delivery solutions.

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.

Summary:
The UFL will lead research initiatives within the Open Mobility Foundation’s SMART Curb Collaborative, contribute academic content and presentations to the group, and work closely with Cityfi and the Collaborative to support joint deliverables. The UFL will focus on three main thematic areas of inquiry to inform comparative learnings and insights across the Collaborative: curb infrastructure, curb policy, and curb demand.

Summary:
The Urban Freight Lab is a key technical and research partner on the Miami-Dade County SMART Curbs Program, part of a multi-city effort funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve curb management, bike lane safety, and zero-emission last-mile delivery.

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.

Summary:
This project studies delivery drivers’ walking and parking behavior in urban logistics, where much of last-mile delivery happens outside the vehicle. A collaboration between the Urban Freight Lab and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, the goal is to model these behaviors and evaluate solutions like e-carts and improved parking strategies to support more efficient and sustainable urban delivery.

Summary:
Seattle is part of C40’s Zero Emission Area Programme, which aims to restrict fossil fuel vehicles in designated zones to reduce emissions and test zero-emission policies. This project examines the impacts on urban freight and logistics, including EV adoption challenges and emerging strategies such as e-cargo bikes, curb management, and consolidation approaches.

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.

Summary:
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded a new $2 million grant via its SMART (Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation) grant program to fund a collaboration between the Urban Freight Lab, Seattle Department of Transportation, and Open Mobility Foundation to fund curb space digitalization. This project will establish new commercial vehicle permit policies and pilot a digital permit. The aim is to reduce congestion, improve access to the curb, and promote more sustainable forms of urban delivery.