The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) is launching the next phase of its “micro hubs” pilot program, adding two new Manhattan locations to the initiative. These hubs allow delivery trucks to transfer cargo to smaller, more environmentally friendly vehicles for the final leg of their journeys.
New Manhattan Locations
The two new micro hub sites are located in the Financial District at Front Street and Maiden Lane, and on the Upper East Side at Third Avenue and East 91st Street. The agency revealed these locations ahead of its June 3 announcement.
Micro hubs provide dedicated curb space where goods can be moved from large trucks to zero-emission options. These smaller vehicles include hand carts, cargo bikes, and electric sprinter vans.
The program is designed to reduce the number of truck miles traveled throughout the city. By doing so, the DOT aims to decrease both pollution and traffic congestion.
Safety and Environmental Impact
DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn noted that large delivery trucks can create unsafe challenges by blocking travel lanes and pedestrian crosswalks. He stated that shifting these deliveries to smaller options like e-bikes and handcarts is “a win for our environment, street safety, and our neighborhoods.”
“When big delivery trucks deliver individual packages on local streets, One can see pedestrian crosswalks and travel lanes getting blocked, and a variety of other unsafe challenges,” Commissioner Flynn said.
Data from the pilot’s first year shows the program has already replaced over 3,000 truck trips and reduced pollution by nine grams. On a daily basis, the hubs have facilitated the delivery of 860 packages via handcart and 110 via cargo bike.
These daily deliveries have helped replace one-and-a-half miles and three miles of truck vehicle miles, respectively. Mark Chiusano, CEO of Net Zero Logistics, described the program as a “game-changer for urban delivery.”
Future Expansion
The DOT intends to continue expanding the pilot by inviting more businesses to participate through an application process. Companies such as Amazon and Net Zero Logistics are already utilizing the existing hubs.
As the program grows, new locations may be placed in different neighborhoods. Selection for these sites will likely be based on land-use considerations, the density of the area, and proximity to bike lanes and public transit.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of a micro hub?
Micro hubs provide dedicated curb space for trucks to transfer cargo to smaller, zero-emission vehicles like cargo bikes or hand carts to reduce congestion and pollution. - Which companies are currently using these hubs?
Companies including Amazon and Net Zero Logistics are already using the micro hubs. - How does the DOT select new micro hub locations?
Locations are selected based on factors such as area density, land-use, and proximity to public transit and bike lanes.
How do you feel about seeing more cargo bikes and handcarts on your local streets?
