The hubs are designed to provide parking for large delivery trucks, which can pass on their cargo to bikes or other zero-emission vehicles.
New York City is launching a network of “microhubs” in an effort to reduce traffic and pollution from large delivery trucks and replace last-mile trips with smaller, zero-emission vehicles.
As Danielle McLean explains in Smart Cities Dive, “The city said in an April 22 press release the microhubs will create designated spaces for Amazon, Net Zero Logistics and UPS on the Upper West Side, allowing those companies’ delivery trucks to transfer packages to cargo bikes, pushcarts and zero-emission vehicles to complete the last leg of deliveries.”
Almost 90 percent of goods in New York City are delivered by truck, so consolidating truck parking and distribution could significantly reduce traffic and impacts on neighborhood streets. “The first three locations are within city Smart Curbs’ zones — part of a program launched last year that dedicates curb space for trucks and passenger vehicle loading, bike corrals, electric vehicle charging and pedestrians.”
The city says it plans to expand the program to 36 on- and off-street hubs in the next three years.
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