Research Projects
Start Date: August 2023
Funding: City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)
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: 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: January 2021
Funding: Urban Freight Lab & Frontier Metropolitan Planning Organization (City of Fort Smith - Arkansas)
Project Budget: $102,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
This project seeks to examine how microfreight hubs can increase equity to services, benefit historically marginalized communities, and be joined to share micromobility options, social service agencies and minority businesses in North Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Urban Freight Lab will assist Frontier MPO and the City of Fort Smith in this work create a cohesive strategy to develop a sound planning process, to grow collaborative relationships, to produce a sustainable business model, and to implement a microfreight hub pilot project that leverages community resources.
This project seeks to examine how microfreight hubs can increase equity to services, benefit historically marginalized communities, and be joined to share micromobility options, social service agencies and minority businesses in North Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Urban Freight Lab will assist Frontier MPO and the City of Fort Smith in this work create a cohesive strategy to develop a sound planning process, to grow collaborative relationships, to produce a sustainable business model, and to implement a microfreight hub pilot project that leverages community resources.
Start Date: January 2018
Funding: City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)
Project Budget: $250,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
The City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) engaged the Urban Freight Lab to establish a baseline cordon truck and car count for the Greater Downtown area. This research will enable the city to understand much more about the economic sectors served by commercial vehicles that enter and leave the area. When this project is completed, SDOT will be the first major city department of transportation in the nation to develop a database that provides such detailed commercial vehicle use information.
The City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) engaged the Urban Freight Lab to establish a baseline cordon truck and car count for the Greater Downtown area. This research will enable the city to understand much more about the economic sectors served by commercial vehicles that enter and leave the area. When this project is completed, SDOT will be the first major city department of transportation in the nation to develop a database that provides such detailed commercial vehicle use information.
Start Date: September 2023
Funding: U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) SMART (Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation) grant program
Project Budget: $350,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Partner(s): Seattle Department of Transportation (lead), Open Mobility Foundation
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.
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.
Start Date: September 2019
Funding: PacTrans (Region 10 University Transportation Center)
Project Budget: $180,000
Other PI(s): Kevin Chang
Summary:
This research aims to develop innovative methods for managing curb lane function and curb access. The rapid rise of autonomous vehicles (AV), on-demand transportation, and e-commerce goods deliveries, as well as increased cycling rates and transit use, is increasing demand for curb space resulting in competition between modes, failed goods deliveries, roadway and curbside congestion, and illegal parking.
This research aims to develop innovative methods for managing curb lane function and curb access. The rapid rise of autonomous vehicles (AV), on-demand transportation, and e-commerce goods deliveries, as well as increased cycling rates and transit use, is increasing demand for curb space resulting in competition between modes, failed goods deliveries, roadway and curbside congestion, and illegal parking.
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: May 2017
Funding: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (ASHTO) - in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration - conducted in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP)
Project Budget: $75,000
Summary:
The Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics Center was funded by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (ASHTO) through the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) to produce the nation's first Multimodal Freight Transportation Research Roadmap outlining themes and projects that comprise a 5- to 10-year strategic research agenda.
The Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics Center was funded by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (ASHTO) through the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) to produce the nation's first Multimodal Freight Transportation Research Roadmap outlining themes and projects that comprise a 5- to 10-year strategic research agenda.
Start Date: January 2021
Funding: Urban Freight Lab, New York City Department of Transportation
Project Budget: $56,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
(This project is being conducted under the Urban Freight Lab's (UFL) Technical Assistance Program, where UFL contributes to the project by providing 1:1 match funds in terms of staff and/or research assistants to complete project tasks.) This project focuses on conducting targeted freight industry market research to identify strategies that can support charting a pathway to zero-emission freight strategies for New York City by 2050 and identify the associated roadblocks and barriers to entry.
(This project is being conducted under the Urban Freight Lab's (UFL) Technical Assistance Program, where UFL contributes to the project by providing 1:1 match funds in terms of staff and/or research assistants to complete project tasks.) This project focuses on conducting targeted freight industry market research to identify strategies that can support charting a pathway to zero-emission freight strategies for New York City by 2050 and identify the associated roadblocks and barriers to entry.
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: July 2023
Funding: National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP)
Project Budget: $450,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Partner(s): ECONorthwest (Lead), Citifi
Summary:
The Urban Freight Lab (UFL) at the University of Washington is partnering with ECONorthwest and Cityfi to develop a research product for the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) on the topic of revenue strategies for new mobility options. The team will analyze the public sector’s potential role in using revenue-related strategies to encourage or discourage new mobility options in personal mobility and goods delivery. The objective of this research is to develop a toolkit for transportation agencies that addresses how revenue-related strategies (e.g., taxes, fees, and subsidies) support policy objectives and shape the deployment of new mobility options. The toolkit can assist agencies to develop, evaluate, implement, and administer revenue-related strategies for new mobility options that transport people and goods.
The Urban Freight Lab (UFL) at the University of Washington is partnering with ECONorthwest and Cityfi to develop a research product for the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) on the topic of revenue strategies for new mobility options. The team will analyze the public sector’s potential role in using revenue-related strategies to encourage or discourage new mobility options in personal mobility and goods delivery. The objective of this research is to develop a toolkit for transportation agencies that addresses how revenue-related strategies (e.g., taxes, fees, and subsidies) support policy objectives and shape the deployment of new mobility options. The toolkit can assist agencies to develop, evaluate, implement, and administer revenue-related strategies for new mobility options that transport people and goods.
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: December 2016
Funding: Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PacTrans)
Project Budget: $100,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
To better understand the current use of truck parking facilities and safety issues caused by the lack of parking capacity in high-demand locations, researchers reviewed existing research and reports that describe the lack of parking in the PacTrans region. The researchers then identified and provided a qualitative analysis of future trends that will affect this problem. Finally, the research team developed and executed a survey of truck drivers at two long-haul trucking parking facilities. The research team focused on two high-volume multi-state truck corridors, the Interstate 5 and 90 corridors, that are of interest to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and neighboring state DOTs. This study presents the data collection method, the overall survey results, and an analysis of the findings.
To better understand the current use of truck parking facilities and safety issues caused by the lack of parking capacity in high-demand locations, researchers reviewed existing research and reports that describe the lack of parking in the PacTrans region. The researchers then identified and provided a qualitative analysis of future trends that will affect this problem. Finally, the research team developed and executed a survey of truck drivers at two long-haul trucking parking facilities. The research team focused on two high-volume multi-state truck corridors, the Interstate 5 and 90 corridors, that are of interest to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and neighboring state DOTs. This study presents the data collection method, the overall survey results, and an analysis of the findings.
Start Date: February 2018
Funding: City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PacTrans)
Project Budget: $310,000
Summary:
The Urban Freight Lab conducted an alley inventory and truck load/unload occupancy study for the City of Seattle. Researchers collected data identifying the locations and infrastructure characteristics of alleys within Seattle's One Center City planning area, which includes the downtown, uptown, South Lake Union, Capitol Hill, and First Hill urban centers. The resulting alley database includes GIS coordinates for both ends of each alley, geometric and traffic attributes, and photos.
The Urban Freight Lab conducted an alley inventory and truck load/unload occupancy study for the City of Seattle. Researchers collected data identifying the locations and infrastructure characteristics of alleys within Seattle's One Center City planning area, which includes the downtown, uptown, South Lake Union, Capitol Hill, and First Hill urban centers. The resulting alley database includes GIS coordinates for both ends of each alley, geometric and traffic attributes, and photos.
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.