Reducing Congestion One Delivery At A Time
Why Off-Hour Deliveries?
Making deliveries during the off-hours (7PM to 6AM) provide many
benefits:
- Higher average speeds resulting in lower travel times and
lower costs.
- Reduced congestion during the peak hours.
- Lower levels of greenhouse emissions.
- Reduced toll charges.
Why Don't Companies Do This Already?
Some companies do make off-hour deliveries but many do not because they
must meet the demands of their customers. While off-hour deliveries
tend to be less expensive than regular hour deliveries for the
companies making the deliveries, off-hour deliveries tend to be more
expensive for the businesses receiving the deliveries.The extra expense
is typically due to having to provide staff during the off-hours to
receive the delivery.
What Is The Goal Of The Project?
The goal of the project is to evaluate different methods of encouraging
off-hour deliveries. The main focus is encouraging the receivers of the
deliveries to request deliveries during the off-hours. One of the key
components of the project is a pilot test in Manhattan.
Who Is The Project Team?
The project is a cooperative project between Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute, Rutgers University, New York University and ALK
Technologies. The principle investigator is Jose Holguin-Veras of
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The project is being funded by the
United States Department of Transportation. The team is also working
with various trade organizations and municipal transportation agencies.
What Does The Pilot Test Consist Of?
The pilot test will involve a group of businesses in Manhattan and the
carriers that deliver to them. The receivers will shift a portion of
their deliveries to the off-hours for a four week period. In addition
to this four week period, deliveries will be monitored for the two
weeks prior to and the two weeks after the change period. A set of
receivers who already perform off-hour deliveries as well as a set that
does not make off-hour deliveries will be monitored as control groups.
The carriers will be given GPS enabled smart phones to monitor travel
times and distances. Carriers and receivers will be provided with a
financial incentive in exchange for their participation.