Research Projects
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: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T)
Project Budget: $500,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Other PI(s): Sam Wasser
Summary:
This project will develop and test innovative, non-invasive container screening methods in the new Supply Chain Defense Lab (SCDLab). The SCDLab research partnership brings the UFL's deep logistics expertise, global supply chain companies such as SSA Marine and Expeditors International of Washington, and the UW Center for Conservation Biology Forensic and Detection Dog Programs to solve global supply chain security problems that are priorities for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
This project will develop and test innovative, non-invasive container screening methods in the new Supply Chain Defense Lab (SCDLab). The SCDLab research partnership brings the UFL's deep logistics expertise, global supply chain companies such as SSA Marine and Expeditors International of Washington, and the UW Center for Conservation Biology Forensic and Detection Dog Programs to solve global supply chain security problems that are priorities for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
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: March 2018
Funding: City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)
Project Budget: $160,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
The City of Seattle granted a permit to United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) in fall 2018 to pilot test a new e-bike parcel delivery system in the Pioneer Square/Belltown area for one year. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) commissioned the Urban Freight Lab (UFL) to quantify and document the public impacts of this multimodal delivery system change in the final 50 feet of supply chains, to provide data and evidence for development of future urban freight policies. The UFL will conduct analyses into the several research questions.
The City of Seattle granted a permit to United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) in fall 2018 to pilot test a new e-bike parcel delivery system in the Pioneer Square/Belltown area for one year. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) commissioned the Urban Freight Lab (UFL) to quantify and document the public impacts of this multimodal delivery system change in the final 50 feet of supply chains, to provide data and evidence for development of future urban freight policies. The UFL will conduct analyses into the several research questions.
Topics:
Bicycle Research: Cargo Bikes and Bike-Truck InteractionsThe Final 50 Feet of the Urban Goods Delivery SystemSustainable Freight
Bicycle Research: Cargo Bikes and Bike-Truck InteractionsThe Final 50 Feet of the Urban Goods Delivery SystemSustainable Freight
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 2018
Funding: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE EERE)
Project Budget: $2,140,200
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
The UFL received $1.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to help goods delivery drivers find parking with minimal circling around, time wasted, and increased congestion. With a coalition of public and private sector partners, researchers will integrate sensor technologies, develop data platforms to process large data streams, and publish a prototype app to let delivery drivers know when a parking space is open – and when it’s predicted to be open so they can plan to arrive when another truck is leaving. The UFL will also pilot test common carrier locker systems in public and private load/unload spaces near transit stops. This is a timely project as cities are looking for new strategies to accommodate the rapid growth of e-commerce.
The UFL received $1.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to help goods delivery drivers find parking with minimal circling around, time wasted, and increased congestion. With a coalition of public and private sector partners, researchers will integrate sensor technologies, develop data platforms to process large data streams, and publish a prototype app to let delivery drivers know when a parking space is open – and when it’s predicted to be open so they can plan to arrive when another truck is leaving. The UFL will also pilot test common carrier locker systems in public and private load/unload spaces near transit stops. This is a timely project as cities are looking for new strategies to accommodate the rapid growth of e-commerce.
Start Date: January 2018
Funding: City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Amazon, Challenge Seattle
Project Budget: $200,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
The Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics Center and Seattle Department of Transportation worked in collaboration with employers, transit operators, and transportation network companies (TNCs) to test a variety of strategies to mitigate the traffic impacts of TNC pick-ups on the greater transportation network and improve safety for passengers and drivers. Strategies included increasing the number of passenger loading zones in high-traffic pick-up areas and geofenced pick-up or black-out areas.
The Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics Center and Seattle Department of Transportation worked in collaboration with employers, transit operators, and transportation network companies (TNCs) to test a variety of strategies to mitigate the traffic impacts of TNC pick-ups on the greater transportation network and improve safety for passengers and drivers. Strategies included increasing the number of passenger loading zones in high-traffic pick-up areas and geofenced pick-up or black-out areas.
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: 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: 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.
Start Date: August 2017
Funding: Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PacTrans), City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics Center
Project Budget: $80,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
The purpose of the research project was to test two promising strategies to reduce the number of failed first delivery attempts in urban buildings: (1) A common carrier smart locker system; and (2) grouped-tenant-floor-drop-off-points for medium sized parcels if the locker is too small or full. The pilot was held in the 62-story Seattle Municipal Tower skyscraper in Downtown Seattle and was open to the first 100 tenants who signed up to participate.
The purpose of the research project was to test two promising strategies to reduce the number of failed first delivery attempts in urban buildings: (1) A common carrier smart locker system; and (2) grouped-tenant-floor-drop-off-points for medium sized parcels if the locker is too small or full. The pilot was held in the 62-story Seattle Municipal Tower skyscraper in Downtown Seattle and was open to the first 100 tenants who signed up to participate.
Start Date: July 2017
Funding: Resource Systems Group; U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration
Summary:
This project develops a national freight forecasting model for the FHWA. The model, the first of its kind at the national level, supports national freight policy making and planning. Urban Freight Lab researchers will identify the most useful and promising structures for a national model and are leading the evaluation of model components and their integration, and developing an approach to test the potential specifications for each model component and are contributing to the development of national sources of data for use in the model. The project will demonstrate the model in a software application.
This project develops a national freight forecasting model for the FHWA. The model, the first of its kind at the national level, supports national freight policy making and planning. Urban Freight Lab researchers will identify the most useful and promising structures for a national model and are leading the evaluation of model components and their integration, and developing an approach to test the potential specifications for each model component and are contributing to the development of national sources of data for use in the model. The project will demonstrate the model in a software application.
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 2017
Funding: Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PacTrans)
Project Budget: $90,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Ed McCormack
Summary:
The purpose of this research is to improve our understanding of the interactions between heavy vehicles and other users in an urban environment, in particular, in cases where commercial vehicle activity disrupts the activity of pedestrians and bicyclists. The research approach includes both the observation of current practice and evaluation of infrastructure and simulation of roadway user behavior. This information will support better roadway and load zone design guidelines, which will allow our urban street system to operate more efficiently, safely, and reliably for all users.
The purpose of this research is to improve our understanding of the interactions between heavy vehicles and other users in an urban environment, in particular, in cases where commercial vehicle activity disrupts the activity of pedestrians and bicyclists. The research approach includes both the observation of current practice and evaluation of infrastructure and simulation of roadway user behavior. This information will support better roadway and load zone design guidelines, which will allow our urban street system to operate more efficiently, safely, and reliably for all users.
Start Date: January 2017
Funding: City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PacTrans)
Project Budget: $240,000
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Anne Goodchild
Summary:
Part of the Final 50 Feet Research Program, this project contains: a curb occupancy study, a survey of First and Capitol Hill Loading Bays, a pilot test at Seattle Municipal Tower, and the development of a toolkit. Taken together with the Urban Freight Lab's earlier private infrastructure inventory (Seattle Center City Alley Infrastructure Inventory and Occupancy Study 2018) in Downtown Seattle, Uptown, and South Lake Union, this project finalizes the creation of a comprehensive Center City inventory of private loading/unloading infrastructure. The study also provides the city with on-the-ground data on the current use and operational capacity of the curb for commercial vehicles, documenting vehicle parking behavior in a three-by-three city block grid around each of five prototype Center City buildings: a hotel, a high-rise office building, an historical building, a retail center, and a residential tower. Researchers also tested a new urban goods delivery system strategy: Common Carrier Locker Systems. Tools used by the Urban Freight Lab are publicly available in an Urban Goods Delivery Toolkit, a one-stop-shop for planners to replicate this work in other cities.
Part of the Final 50 Feet Research Program, this project contains: a curb occupancy study, a survey of First and Capitol Hill Loading Bays, a pilot test at Seattle Municipal Tower, and the development of a toolkit. Taken together with the Urban Freight Lab's earlier private infrastructure inventory (Seattle Center City Alley Infrastructure Inventory and Occupancy Study 2018) in Downtown Seattle, Uptown, and South Lake Union, this project finalizes the creation of a comprehensive Center City inventory of private loading/unloading infrastructure. The study also provides the city with on-the-ground data on the current use and operational capacity of the curb for commercial vehicles, documenting vehicle parking behavior in a three-by-three city block grid around each of five prototype Center City buildings: a hotel, a high-rise office building, an historical building, a retail center, and a residential tower. Researchers also tested a new urban goods delivery system strategy: Common Carrier Locker Systems. Tools used by the Urban Freight Lab are publicly available in an Urban Goods Delivery Toolkit, a one-stop-shop for planners to replicate this work in other cities.