Overview
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Freight Management and Operations, developed the Urban Freight Cases Studies as a way to document notable practices in urban goods movement. These case studies provide information on freight-related initiatives that mitigate congestion and improve the safety and efficiency of commercial vehicle travel in urban areas. New York City is one of four urban areas selected for study. The other areas are Los Angeles, Orlando, and Washington, DC.
In order to develop the most useful case studies, FHWA conducted an extensive review of freight-related projects and strategies that provide practical information and transferable solutions to the challenges that confront urban goods movement. The project team also conducted site visits and interviews with organizations involved in project implementation, including state departments of transportation (DOTs), metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), city governments, and private-sector businesses. The results of the site visits and interviews are highlighted here.
As one of the nation's largest commercial centers, New York City moves more freight than any other metropolitan region in the United States.1 To move goods efficiently, the City makes improvements and adjustments to the management and operations of the transportation network on a continuous basis.
The primary elements of New York City's freight management, operations, planning, and implementation activities include:
- The Commercial Vehicle Parking Plan that addresses curbside management issues.
- The THRU Streets Program that improves traffic flow and provides additional curbside parking for commercial vehicles.
- The Truck Route Management and Community Impact Reduction Study that proposed improvements to the City's existing truck route network, including routing alterations, signage improvements, and public outreach efforts.