Urban Freight Lab

TRBAM: Estimating Spatial Inequities in Last-Mile Delivery: A National Analysis (Poster Session 3224)
2024-01-09 15:45 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW (formerly 801 Mt. Vernon Place NW), Washington, DC, United States
New Research in Transportation Equity (Poster Session 3224)

This poster session features emerging research in transportation equity across a wide variety of domains, including active transportation, electric vehicles, car use and ownership, and novel metrics and indicators to measure equity.
Poster: Estimating Spatial Inequities in Last-Mile Delivery: A National Analysis (TRBAM-24-00041)
Despite large bodies of research related to the impacts of e-commerce on delivery sustainability, there has been limited effort to evaluate urban freight using an equity lens. Therefore, this study endeavors to unveil socio-spatial distributions of cargo van traffic in residential delivery supply chains in 41 U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). Evaluating 12 measurements across varying population segments and spatial units, the study finds robust evidence for spatial inequities in last-mile delivery for low-income and, especially, non-white, populations of color (POC). By the most conservative measurement, POC are exposed to roughly 35% more cargo van traffic than white populations on average, despite ordering less than half as many packages. Subsequently, the study evaluates delivery efficiency improvement scenarios and finds outsized equity benefits for distribution-oriented solutions over consumer-oriented solutions. This study promotes data-driven discussions around incorporating equity into “sustainable” urban freight management strategies and broader city planning.
Authors:

Travis Fried, University of Washington
Anne Goodchild, University of Washington, Seattle
Ivan Sanchez-Diaz, Chalmers University of Technology
Michael Browne, University of Gothenburg: Goteborgs Universitet

TRBAM: Freight Demand and Choice Modeling Using Advanced Data Sets (Poster Session 3176)
2024-01-09 13:30 - 15:15 (America/New_York) | Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW (formerly 801 Mt. Vernon Place NW), Washington, DC, United States
Freight Demand and Choice Modeling Using Advanced Data Sets (Poster Session 3176)

This poster session brings in fifteen selected papers that use freight modeling for solving issues.
Poster: Does Proximity Matter?: An Analysis of West Seattle Shopping Trends (TRBAM-24-05914)
This study analyzes how goods type as well as geographic factors affect consumer shopping behavior. In particular, the choice of shopping in-person or using online options including home delivery, as well as travel mode choice is studied. Data on shopping choices was collected through an anonymous survey distributed online over 3 months in summer 2022, asking about consumers’ most recent shopping experience in one of four categories of goods: groceries, household supplies, restaurant food, clothes. The sampled population were residents in the geographical area known as “West Seattle” within Seattle, Washington. Discrete choice models are estimated to identify significant factors in shopping choice in addition to statistical testing of trends observed in survey responses. The results reveal a strong preference for driving when shopping in-person and a 10-minute preferred travel time when driving or walking. Online shopping is observed to rise above projections, but preference for it is dependent on the type of goods being shopped for. Results suggest that proximity to destination and available of alternatives has a modest effect on likelihood of walking but imply that efforts to decrease vehicle trips for shopping will need to go beyond bringing establishments closer to residents.
Authors:

Rishi Verma, University of Washington, Seattle
Giacomo Dalla Chiara, University of Washington
Anne Goodchild, University of Washington, Seattle

Workshop: New Mobility Revenue-Related Strategies
2024-01-08 12:30 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | The Keck Center of National Academies, 500 5th St NW - Room 100, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Join us for an exciting event where we’ll dive into the world of revenue-related strategies for new mobility services! Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, this in-person gathering is the perfect opportunity to learn and network.
Discover innovative ways to generate revenue in the ever-evolving landscape of transportation and mobility. Researchers from ECONorthwest, University of Washington Urban Freight Lab, and Cityfi will share their insights and a framework to help you navigate this rapidly changing policy area.

TRBAM: The Missing Link Between Urban Commercial Curb Use and Freight Trip Generation (Lectern Session 2088)
2024-01-08 10:15 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW (formerly 801 Mt. Vernon Place NW), Washington, DC, United States
Lectern Session: Last Mile Challenges and the Importance of Curbside Management (Lectern Session 2088)
The last mile continues to be one of the most challenging parts for freight transportation. There is increasing pressure on companies to implement innovative solutions that align with the objectives of cities to alleviate congestion, decrease emissions, and provide more space for the citizens. In this session, speakers will present their findings about the demand for curbside space and how it relates to establishments’ need for freight, as well as about solutions (e.g., parcel lockers) with potential to improve the sustainability of urban freight transportation.
Presentation: The Missing Link Between Urban Commercial Curb Use and Freight Trip Generation (TRBAM-24-05154)

Cities increasingly use curb management strategies to better organize better commercial vehicle flows in urban cores. However, predicting demand for commercial vehicles parking at the curb is a challenge. One approach to estimate curb demand is Freight Trip Generation (FTG), which uses data from establishment surveys to quantify the number of freight trips generated. However, no previous research has compared FTG estimates with real-world, observed commercial curb use. While logically, urban commercial and residential establishments are responsible for generating curb use demand, several other variables affect curb use, including drivers’ curb use behaviors and existing curb regulations. The current study uses two data sources: a large dataset of more than 1.5 million curb parking events obtained from a network of curb proximity sensors deployed in a 10-block study area in Seattle, Washington; respective FTG estimates obtained from an establishment survey performed in the same study area. Regression models were then used to compare the estimated FTG per blockface/week with the observed commercial curb occupancies obtained from the sensor network. The results showed that, while FTG underestimated commercial curb use, explaining 24% of curb parking events on average, they significantly correlate with commercial curb occupancies. A regression model was derived to predict commercial curb use given existing curbspace allocation and estimated FTG.
Authors:

Giacomo Dalla Chiara, University of Washington
Thomas Maxner, University of Washington
Nota Goulianou, University of Washington
Anne Goodchild, University of Washington

Info Session for Prospective Applicants
2023-10-27 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom webinar
Join us for an information session on our Master of Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics. Get details on the curriculum, format, time commitment, and more.

Fireside Chat: AI & ML for Logistics & Supply Chain Management
2023-10-24 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom webinar
There is growing demand for more resilient supply chain systems with improved visibility and connectivity. Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data analytics have emerged as innovative solutions to address challenges and mitigate risks.
AI-powered solutions have the potential to enhance the entire supply chain process by proactively identifying issues and providing solutions to manage disruption. They can also optimize operations through smart automation, offering valuable insights and visibility to support effective decision-making and planning.
The applications of AI and ML are diverse and there are various effective ways to implement them.
Join the Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics graduate degree program for a Fireside Chat discussion on automation and machine learning in supply chain processes. We’ll explore topics such as:

The role of generative AI in automating supply chain systems
The impact of advances in demand and supply forecasting on short- and long-term inventory planning
Strategies for experienced logistics and supply chain professionals to stay current with new technology
Preparing early-career professionals to stand out in the job market
The advantages and pitfalls are in early adaption
Understanding how large language models will influence workflows

Unable to attend? Register to receive a link to the recording following the event.
https://bit.ly/AI-ML-Supply-Chain

5th VREF Conference on Urban Freight: Future Urban Freight Transport Research Opportunities and Challenges
2023-10-20 | Lindholmen Science Park, Gothenburg, Sweden
Breakout Session: Unlocking the Future of Urban Freight and Logistics: Dissemination, Education, and Capacity Building

Co-Led by: Anne Goodchild (Urban Freight Lab, University of Washington)

Biking the Goods: Strategies to Drive Large-Scale Commercial Cargo Bike Adoption (Micromobility America Conference)
2023-10-19 15:25 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Craneway Pavilion, Bay Area, CA
Panel on Biking the Goods: Strategies to Drive Large-Scale Commercial Cargo Bike Adoption
Moderator:
Kelly Rula, Urban Freight Lab
Speakers:

Franklin Jones, B-line Urban Delivery
Ben Morris, Coaster Cycles
Joseph Brennan, Zoba
Stuart Hyden, Net Zero Logistics

5th VREF Conference on Urban Freight: Future Urban Freight Transport Research Opportunities and Challenges
2023-10-19 | Lindholmen Science Park, Gothenburg, Sweden
Plenary Session 1: Urban Freight Transport: New Demands and New Research Needs

Anne Goodchild – Professor & Director, Urban Freight Lab

5th VREF Conference on Urban Freight: Future Urban Freight Transport Research Opportunities and Challenges
2023-10-18 | Lindholmen Science Park, Gothenburg, Sweden
Session B: User-Centric Last Mile
(AB45) The Effect of Proximity on Shopping Behaviors

Anne Goodchild*, Giacomo Dalla Chiara, Rishi Verma

Research Poster Presentations
(AB40) Simulation-Based Analysis of Different Curb Space Allocations on Curb Performance and Commercial Vehicle
Cruising for Parking

Thomas Maxner, Andisheh Ranjbari*, Chase P. Dowling and Anne Goodchild

Session E: Equity in Urban Logistics
(AB33) Spatial Inequities and Last-mile Logistics: A National Analysis

Travis Fried*, Anne Goodchild, Ivan Sanchez-Diaz and Michael Browne

Research Poster Presentations
(AB37) The State of Sustainable Urban Freight Planning in the United States

Thomas Maxner*, Giacomo Dalla Chiara and Anne Goodchild
